Action-Adventure Gladiator Sequel | Paramount

[Filmfan93]

Saw this yesterday.

It was fun. Mescal was good and Denzel stole the show. Joseph Quinn was the standout for me and I can see why he's everywhere nowadays. He has an amazing range.

It doesn't stand anywhere near the first Gladiator though. The story is a complete rehash of the first film (up to the very end credits where they play the exact same version of Lisa Gerard's Now We Are Free - not sure what new recording she did, but this was just the exact same version from 24 years ago).

While the production design was on point, it looked like what a Gladiator sequel from 2002-2004 would've looked like, not a 2024 blockbuster. The CGI ships looked off, as well as some of the sets. They really shouldn't have used a re-cast kid Lucius and embed him in pre-existing flashback scenes from the first film - it almost took me away from the film.

The score was also very average. When you can't get a talent like Zimmer nowadays, I guess you get the Junkie XL's and Harry Gregson-Williams' for your film and call it a day. Generic epic sounds, mixed in with much better themes from the first film to try to evoke nostalgia.

Other than that, an enjoyable film.

7/10

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Mysteryman]

Was it Pedro?

No. Denzel said that he KILLED the guy minutes later.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Pennywise]

 

[Lily Adler]

Ridley calling out Denzel over the kiss claim.

 

[TheVileOne]

Ridley calling out Denzel over the kiss claim.

What did he say?

 

[Lily Adler]

What did he say?

DiscussingFilm (@discussingfilm.bsky.social)

‪Ridley Scott denies that a same-sec kiss with Denzel Washington was cut from ‘GLADIATOR 2’:‬ ‪“No that’s bull****… They acted the moment, it didn't happen.”‬ ‪(Source: @Variety)‬

bsky.app

 

[AndrewGilkison]

What did he say?

Fans React as 'Gladiator 2' director Ridley Scott Denies Denzel Washington’s "chicken" Claims Over Man to Man Kiss

Denzel Washington and Ridley Scott invite some drama on to Gladiator II promotions.

www.netflixjunkie.com

According to Ridley Scott, there were several scenes that were improvised by the actors in the original, and the kiss happened to be one of them. At the end of the day, the studio may have not found it of much value to the story, as Washington himself said that the man who he kissed dies five minutes later into the scene.

 

[TheVileOne]

Eh, not the most credible of denials by Scott.

 

[Drizzle]

This cast just can't stop dunking on King Chuck.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[blueharvest]

 

[Kane52630]

 

[kguillou]

Thought this was a solid movie. Dont know if i’d call it GREAT, but its a very entertaining two and a half hours that rarely drags. The script is a bit lacking, its not super compelling and Paul Mezcal, while doing his best, i feel was miscast. Hes not BAD by any means but something about him didnt fit this role to me. I cant put it into words. I also felt the ending was a bit vanilla and cheesy. It lacked punch.

But it's a gorgeous looking film, great battle scenes, great acting, Denzel is having a ball, and overall the movie just feels cinematic. This is a good movie to just kick back in a recliner seat and let yourself get sucked into.

 

[flickchick85]

It was....alright? One of those sequels that doesn't make much of a case for a reason to exist outside of "member berries," but is a decent enough watch I guess.

I agree with @kguillou that Mescal was miscast. I know from Aftersun he's a good actor, but this role needed a movie star, and I just don't think that's him. There were a few motivational speeches he had to give here and they were delivered as generically as humanly possible. If this was the first time I saw him, I would think he was another Sam Worthington/Henry Cavill-esque plank of wood. Thankfully I know better, but yeah, this was not a good showcase for him at all.

Denzel was fun, but his character's plot got too silly by the end for me.

I can tell a lot was cut from this because the character development is so half-assed. Like, Mescal's character does a total 180º after like 2 emotional lines from another character that I just didn't buy AT ALL.

 

[Spider-Fan]

So, it isn't anywhere close to Gladiator quality? Not shocked lol

 

[DarthSkywalker]

It was....alright? One of those sequels that doesn't make much of a case for a reason to exist outside of "member berries," but is a decent enough watch I guess.

I agree with @kguillou that Mescal was miscast. I know from Aftersun he's a good actor, but this role needed a movie star, and I just don't think that's him. There were a few motivational speeches he had to give here and they were delivered as generically as humanly possible. If this was the first time I saw him, I would think he was another Sam Worthington/Henry Cavill-esque plank of wood. Thankfully I know better, but yeah, this was not a good showcase for him at all.

Denzel was fun, but his character's plot got too silly by the end for me.

I can tell a lot was cut from this because the character development is so half-assed. Like, Mescal's character does a total 180º after like 2 emotional lines from another character that I just didn't buy AT ALL.

On this front. Are there any major women characters? I read they completely cut out May Calamawy, who was apparently a major lead. Looking at the cast list, there seems to be no one else outside of Connie.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

So, it isn't anywhere close to Gladiator quality? Not shocked lol

This reminds me. All time bad list incoming:

Every Ridley Scott Movie, Ranked From Worst To Best

From the god awful (Hannibal) to the god-tier (Alien), the Golden Globe-winning filmmaker has done it all

kotaku.com

 

[flickchick85]

On this front. Are there any major women characters? I read they completely cut out May Calamawy, who was apparently a major lead. Looking at the cast list, there seems to be no one else outside of Connie.

Connie is it, I'm afraid. Really curious who Calamawy's character even was.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Connie is it, I'm afraid. Really curious who Calamawy's character even was.

We'll find out in the special edition home release in about a year.

 

[Snow Queen]

We'll find out in the special edition home release in about a year.

I dunno, she wasn't even at the premiere it seems. Only trace of her at this point is Pedro Pascal posting photos with her on Instagram today.

 

[blueharvest]

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Isn't that the cut off?

 

[flickchick85]

Isn't that the cut off?

I thought 75% was the cutoff, but I guess not.