Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment and Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation’s Gladiator II (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is a sequel to Gladiator (2000).
Over two decades after the events of Gladiator, Lucius (Paul Mescal) lives with his wife and child in a coastal town in Numidia. Roman soldiers, led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), invade and kill the wife. They force Lucius into slavery. Inspired by his father, Maximus, the enslaved Lucius resolves to fight as a gladiator under the teaching of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), who is a former slave. Macrinus plots to overthrow young emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn).
Peter Craig and David Scarpa’s story is fairly good but not extraordinary. The screenplay, written by David Scarpa, has some engaging portions but it is not consistently engaging. In other words, there are parts in the drama, which are boring.
Paul Mescal does a fine job as Lucius. But he does not have the stardom of Russell Crowe who played the lead in Gladiator. Pedro Pascal is impressive as Marcus Acacius. Joseph Quinn lends good support as Emperor Geta. Fred Hechinger makes his mark as Emperor Caracalla. Denzel Washington shines as Macrinus. Lior Raz has his moments as Vigo, the trainer of gladiators. Derek Jacobi does well as senator Gracchus. Connie Nielsen has her moments as Lucilla. Tim McInnerny (as Thraex), Alexander Karim (as Ravi), Rory McCann (as Tegula), Alec Utgoff (as Darius), Yuval Gonen (as Arishat), Peter Mensah (as the Numidian chieftain) and Matt Lucas provide the necessary support.
Ridley Scott’s direction is good but he has not been able to make a thorough entertainer. Harry Gregson-Williams’ background music is quite appealing. John Mathieson’s cinematography is excellent. Arthur Max’s production designing is of a high standard. Editing (by Sam Restivo and Claire Simpson) ought to have been sharper. Dubbing is nice.
On the whole, Gladiator II is not a worthy sequel to Gladiator and, therefore, will not do well at the ticket counters.
Released on 15-11-’24 at Maratha Mandir (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Viacom18 Studios. Publicity: fair. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak at most of the places. The original English version has also opened simultaneously, to dull houses.