Welcome back to the blog readers. As you all know, I am a massive fan of action films, especially if they are done right. I am also a big fan of period pieces because I love seeing how life could have been like. Anything involving Italy and Rome really intrigues me because I am Italian, and just love seeing that shit. I recently tried, but failed, to watch Gladiator (2000) to prepare me for this film, so what would I eventually think? Stick around to find out.
Gladiator II was directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by David Scarpa and Peter Craig and a story by Scarpa, based on characters by David Franzoni. The film stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington. Mescal plays Lucius Verus, the son of legendary gladiator Maximus. When his home is invaded by Marcus Acacius and his wife is killed, he decides to become a gladiator like his father to get revenge on Acacius for Macrinus, a former slave who is looking to overthrow the dual emperors Geta and Caracalla.
I had tried to watch the first Gladiator to prepare me for this film but I did not get the opportunity to as personal matters came up. With that being said, this film takes place in Rome and Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal are in it, so I decided to check it out. Many call the first film a classic, but I went in blind to this film. And I ultimately agree with John Campea: this film is good but it had the formula to be so much better than it was. I will rave over the performances of Paul Mescal and Connie Nielsen, the action, and the political intrigue of the story; but the runtime is something I will criticize.
First up is the performance of Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus. Mescal first appeared on my radar when he was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in the film Aftersun (2022). I have not seen that film yet, but clearly this kid has what it takes if he is nominated for Oscars so early in his career. And I honestly think he may be getting another one because he was magnetic in this role. He displays a clear understanding of the role and knows when he has to show emotion and when to show off that raging calm. When he expresses his emotions, he is hypnotic to watch. When he shows off that calm, you can see the rage in his eyes and it is amazing to watch. This kid will be a force to be reckoned with in due time, just watch and see.
And then what can you say about Connie Nielsen? Whenever you want to "class up the joint" as a certain pundit likes to say, Nielsen is someone you put in your film. I have not seen Gladiator, and I am sure she is amazing in that, but this film really contextualizes why she is a phenomenal actor. Her role in this film is filled with so much passion and emotion, and even though I went in to this film with no emotional connection to her character, I left with it. When she shows emotion, you feel it and your heart sings along with her. Especially in her scenes with Mescal, those were among the best of the film because these two really get each other. I would honestly give her a Supporting Actress nomination for how good she was in this film.
The final thing I want to praise is the action of this film. If Ridley Scott knows one thing, it is how to deliver on the big set pieces. The opening siege of Numidia is one of the most thrilling action scenes I have seen all year (rivaled by the Battle of Arrakis and Deadpool & Wolverine versus the Deadpool Corps), with stunning visuals and a Pedro Pascal-masterclass in acting. Every gladiatorial scene in this film feels inspired and brutish, and in its own special but twisted way, it also feels earned, especially with the emotional through lines that pass through them. I would not be surprised if we see this film snag a Best Visual Effects nomination, but I would also not be surprised if it did not.
And the final thing I want to talk about is the political intrigue which serves as a subplot in the beginning but becomes the main plot by the end of the film. When films and series do political intrigue right, it feels earned when it is paid off in full. Just look at the series Game of Thrones (2011-19) and House of the Dragon (2022-). These series do political intrigue so well, and I think the writers know how to craft this intrigue to feel current. From the scheming that Denzel Washington's character is trying to do to control Rome himself to the secret plot by Pascal's and Nielsen's own characters to overthrow the corrupt emperors, it was all great and warranted the satisfying conclusion.
The one negative aspect of the film that I have is with the runtime of the film. The first film had a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes (and since I have not seen the film I cannot say if it is paced well or not) but this film has a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes, 12 minutes shorter than Wicked (2024) (that film flies by in its long runtime). This film feels like it is 15-20 minutes too long in my opinion, and it really hurts the pacing of the film. This really hindered my enjoyment of the film because I was waiting for it to end at some points. If by some miracle Scott gets to do a third film (this film is making money so I think they will), then I think he needs to tone down the pacing and not exceed 2 hours and 15 minutes.
In conclusion, Gladiator II is a good successor to Gladiator that features a Paul Mescal breakout performance and some of the best action of the year, but it is bogged down by terrible pacing. Thank you all for reading, and I will see you for the next post.
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