Gladiator 2 | Review by: Benjamin Garrett
If you were to ask me “Are you not entertained?” during my time with Gladiator II, I would answer “I am, but only mildly”. Ridley Scott’s legacy sequel provides solid popcorn entertainment, but fails to fill the giant sandals of his best picture winning epic. Let’s be clear: Gladiator II isn’t a bad movie. The action is satisfying, the set-pieces are grand, and the performances are quite strong. However, it’s hard to escape the shadow of its predecessor, which is widely regarded by many as one of the greatest films of the 2000s. As an extension of the story and ideas the first film established, it works, but it lacks the emotional depth and thrill needed to get audiences invested in this new chapter. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it soulless, but it doesn’t strike me as being very inspired. The final act, while still entertaining, is also a lot sloppier than everything leading up to it. Ridley Scott is no stranger to crafting big, historical epics, and his experienc...
