SPOILERS!!!

The closing shot of “Gladiator II” is the exact same as the opening shot of “Gladiator,” 2000 film which happened twenty-four years ago.

Ever wonder what happened to that little boy who was Lucilla’s son from the “Gladiator” movie? And what became of her after her Emperor brother Commodus (portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix) died in the arena fighting and also killing Maximus (played by Russell Crowe)? Well, “Gladiator II” catches audiences up and connects the characters from the first movie with this one. It also bridges the gap in timeline.

The story picks up 16 years after where the first one left off. Just like in the first film, a written message introduces audiences about the state of where things have progressed. The most concerning is the reign of twin brothers who are ruthless and ruling in absolute tyranny, and have overthrown the Senate.

Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.

Lucilla (Connie Nielson), the daughter of Caesar from the first film, is married to a General (portrayed by Pedro Pascal) who both want to do what her father and Maximus wished before Caesar’s death, to return Rome to the people. Maximus, a General himself before being captured and enslaved to fight as a Gladiator for the entertainment of the Emperor and his people, this General, Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) is also a good man.

However, a soldier mistakens him not to be when his wife, like him, also a soldier is killed during a battle in Africa. This soldier, Lucius (yes, the son of Lucilla from the first Gladiator), is also captured and enslaved while in deep mourning for his wife and is brought to Rome.

After his latest win in the battle on Africa, General Marcus returns to the Emperor brothers who praise him and present him with the news of their desires to take over more territory with two more wars.

Disappointed and disgusted by the Emperors lack of respect for the lives of his soldiers, Marcus and Lucilla devise a plan to order his army of men to take over the Emperors. While only able to feel absolute “rage” from the loss of his wife, Lucius demands a fight in the arena with Marcus.

The story grows more from there that includes the reveal of who Lucius’ father is, why his mother ended up sending him away at the age of 12, and a whole lot of juicy drama between the Emperors and family friend, Macrinus (played superbly by Denzel Washington), who also sets up the Gladiators for fighting.

REVIEW:

Paul Mescal plays Lucius in Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.

There are many parallels in the stories from the first “Gladiator” and “Gladiator II.” The characters want the same things, and go about obtaining them in similar fashions. The best parts of this second movie is all about the performance of the actors, and of course, those fighting scenes!

Glimpses from the past film served to catch new audiences up with the past film, and reminders to the ones who saw the first one, but perhaps forgot much of it. Though I personally watched “Gladiator II” before rewatching the first one, I had no problem understanding this film. When I went back and re-watched the first one, It definitely helped to connect the two stories.

BIGGER, BETTER!

The fight scenes in the Colosseum are more grand, more creative than the first. With that, the movie does a great job at updating itself with the times and knows how to wow an audience in 2024, which is different from wowing an audience in 2000.

Much of this film is focused on Lucius’ life as a Gladiator, whereas in the first Gladiator film, we got shown a lot of Maxximus’ life before becoming a Gladiator.

The best parts of “Gladiator II” (there were many) included the Emperor brothers, fantastically played by Joseph Quin, and Fred Hechinger; Denzel Washington’s performance as the conniving Macrinus character, Paul Mescal’s performance as Lucius was top notch; finally, Connie Nielsen’s depth of her returning character “Lucilla, is awesomely achieved again and even more so in this second film.

Q&A

Pedro Pascal, Director Ridley Scott and Paul Mescal on the set of Gladiator II from Paramount Pictures.

Director Ridley Scott was successful at capturing the same essence from the first Gladiator and put it into this one. Undoubtedly, sure to also be a mega hit.

During a special SAG (Screen Actors Guild) screening in Hollywood, the cast and crew opened up about the making of “Gladiator II.” One of the film’s producers stated that audiences know why Maximus was such a great Gladiator, because he was a General. But, what about Lucius?

He said Ridley Scott explained that Lucius has this ongoing rage from losing his mentor in the first Gladiator bout, and before that, his wife in war. That added with the abandonment experienced from his mother, makes sense why he would be so empowered during each fight.

Lead actress Connie Nielsen said not only did she come back to this second film, she can attest that even some of the same grips returned, as a testament to how the integrity of the original was maintained.

The interviewer asked Denzel Washington how he prepared for his role and if he looked up anything about his character “Macrinus”? The interviewer was hit with dead silence. Washington explained “there’s your answer,” he did nothing.

Paramount Pictures “Gladiator II” opens in theaters and in IMAX on Friday, November 22, 2024.