Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Gladiator 2!
Gladiator 2 is unexpectedly drawing a lot of comparisons to the first Gladiatorwith many fans of Ridley Scott’s classic wondering if its 2024 sequel is better than the original. 2000s Gladiator is one of the most beloved films of all time, with the critically acclaimed historical epic even winning the Oscar for Best Picture. So, when Gladiator 2 was announced, it was clear that he had a high standard to live up to. Now this Gladiator 2 has been released, this quality question can finally be answered.
After years of waiting for a 2000 sequel GladiatorRidley Scott finally decided to make one, with Gladiator 2 being the culmination of this wait. Instead of focusing on Russell Crowe and other cast members from the original, Gladiator, Gladiator 2 instead, it follows an adult version of Lucius 16 years after the original film. Despite taking place in a new era of Rome,there are many similarities between Gladiator and Gladiator II outside of mere Easter eggs and references, leaving many to wonder if the sequel fares better than its predecessor.
Gladiator 2 is a remake of Gladiator – until it isn’t
Everything changes completely with Lucius’s choice
One of the biggest disadvantages Gladiator II is how similar to the original Gladiator it seems, with the beginning being an almost beat-for-beat retelling. The sequence shows Lucius commanding an army, being sold into slavery, losing his family, becoming a gladiator and swearing revenge on a Roman general. Gladiator II run for it, although it becomes a completely different film when Lúcio decides not to kill Pedro Pascal’s Acácio. At this point, things take a totally different direction, with the second half of the Gladiator II being much stronger than the first.
Gladiator 2 isn’t as thematically rich as Gladiator
Mainly repeats things from the original
One of the best parts of the original Gladiator it’s how thematically rich and emotional the film is. Maximus’ quest to kill Commodus has a lot to say about revenge and lovewith how far he’s willing to go being questionable at some points. Furthermore, Maximus’ relationships with Marcus Aurelius and Commodus create a political theme that permeates the entire film, with the characters trying to analyze the best system of governance for Rome. The end of Maximus’ story perfectly ties these two ideas together, creating the film’s iconic ending.
While Gladiator 2 tries to recapture the political themes of the original, the revenge story just isn’t as strong or thematically rich. The distance between Lucius and Acacius makes their conflict seem much less personal than the hatred that Maximus and Commodus share for each other, with Lucius’ fight seeming much more one-sided. Furthermore, most of the thematic work that Gladiator 2 does is simply have the characters quote iconic lines from the original Gladiatormaking it feel a little cheaper than its predecessor.
Gladiator 2 is sillier and weirder than the first film
This can be seen in the presentations
Although both films were made by Ridley Scott, the tone of Gladiator 2 is different from the tone of Gladiatoralthough that’s not a bad thing. The original Gladiator is incredibly serious, grounded, and epic. Every line and scene feels like it has weight behind it, with few comedic beats or moments of levity throughout the film. This reflects the film industry at the time, with the film being released around the same time as other incredibly serious historical epics such as Brave heart and The Patriot.
Gladiator 2on the other hand, it’s much sillier and weirder than its predecessor. The film has no jokes per se, but there are many moments that seem designed to make the audience laugh. The performances by Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are much greater and more comical than the comparative performances in the original Gladiator. Plus, things like the CGI monkeys, sharks, and the Colosseum naval battle make Gladiator 2 feel less grounded, something that set the tone of the original film.
Gladiator 2 has bigger (and better) action scenes
They look grander
Since Gladiator 2 it’s less grounded, the film has much bigger action scenes than the original, and for the most part, they’re better. The siege of Nubia in Gladiator 2opening scenes is much grander than the battle that began Gladiatorsetting expectations about what the rest of the film will be like. Gladiator 2Gladiator fights also kick things up a notch, with gladiators facing off against rhinos and baboons. Furthermore, the Colosseum’s naval battle is larger than anything that can be seen in the Gladiatorand it’s a lot of fun.
Gladiator 2’s cast isn’t that great – except Denzel Washington
Washington steals every scene he’s in
When it comes to performances, both Gladiator the films have incredible performances. However, Gladiator knock out Gladiator II just a little. Paul Mescal does a great job, but when we compare him to Russell Crowe, he just isn’t that fantastic. Crowe brought a magnitude and grandeur to Maximus that Mescal doesn’t capture. This may be due to the fact that Lúcio is a more meek character when compared to Maximus’ overall inspiring personality. However, Mescal never had a moment that reached Crowe’s heights.”I am Maximum Tenth Meridius” speech.
Denzel Washington, however, has the best performance in Gladiator II. His role as the film’s antagonist has led to many comparisons between him and Joaquin Phoenix, and while Phoenix’s performance is legendary, Washington’s is equally strong. Denzel Washington’s character is less comparable to Phoenix’s than Mescal’s is to Crowe’s, but Washington manages to bring an epic, theatrical performance that allows him to steal every scene he’s in.
Gladiator 2 isn’t better than the first film – but you’ll have fun
The sequel is a worthy successor
General, Gladiator 2 It’s not better than the original Gladiator. However, it’s still immensely entertaining and a worthy successor to the 2000 film. Gladiator is considered one of the best films ever made, so it would never be better than its Best Picture-winning predecessor. Happily, Gladiator 2 manages to recapture the magic of Ridley Scott’s original film at many points throughout its runtime, with the film serving as one of the best legacy sequels to be released in recent years.