Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel to the iconic film directed by Ridley Scott, has finally seen the light of day after more than two decades of waiting, and as expected, it has generated a great deal of criticism and debate among the specialized press that has already seen it. From the first comments, it is clear that the film has not left anyone indifferent, but opinions are very divided, especially as to whether this second installment manages to live up to the original. Likewise, there are certain appearances - let's leave it there - that have disconcerted more than one person and rightly so...
A sequel with great expectations (and actors)
Despite more than 20 years having passed between both deliveries, the public still had quite high expectations with this continuation. gladiator, Starring Russell Crowe at the peak of his popularity, it became an instant classic, winning several Oscars, including Best Picture. Gladiator II Instead, he is betting on two current giants of cinema, Paul Mescal y Pedro Pascal, and although the first one manages to defend his role as protagonist, the opinions collected emphasize that Crowe's charisma remains unsurpassed, which leaves Mescal with a difficult role to fill.
As for Pascal, who plays General Marcus Acacius, his performance has received mixed reviews. While some critics highlight his force on screen, others believe that his character is not developed enough and that this lack of depth limits the impact of his performance.
Who has been unanimously acclaimed by all is Denzel Washington, who plays Macrino. Critics have praised his ability to elevate the material he is given, bringing an energy that sometimes counteracts the plot's weaker points. USA Today lo describe as an “unhinged delight” while other media outlets point out that her presence overshadows the rest of the cast.
Visual Spectacularity vs. Narrative
If something has been highlighted almost unanimously in all the reviews, it is the technical and visual level from the film. Ridley Scott, at almost 87 years old, shows that he still has a great eye for the action sequences and special effectsThe staging is colossal, and the Roman Colosseum has been reconstructed in an impressive manner, bordering on a realism that does not abuse digital effects, something that many critics have applauded.
In contrast, the arena fight scenes with rhinos and primates CGI generated have not been received with such enthusiasm, especially if we take into account the presence of sharks for example in the Colosseum border on the implausible, detracting from the credibility of the narrative.
Despite the great applause for its visuals, another of the weak points What the critics have pointed out is the scriptUnlike the first film, where the story was clear and absorbing, many agree that the sequel suffers from a narrative less inspired and predictable. And the film has wanted to pay homage to its predecessor, but even in that it seems to be missing the mark. Some critics consider that the abuse of these nods to nostalgia ends up affecting the film, to such an extent that Daily Telegraph says which sometimes seems more like a sequel-altar, dedicated to paying homage to the original, than a film that advances on its own path.
The dilemma of being a sequel
The greatest enemy of Gladiator II is, according to many critics, his own nature of sequelThe shadow of the first film is long, and no matter how good it is technically, there will always be the perception that it will never reach the level of the original. According to Variety, the film is fun and spectacular enough to justify its existence, but it will never be able to escape being considered a diluted version de Gladiator.
Films like this face the constant challenge of satisfying both nostalgic and new audiences. While some critics tend to be more forgiving, many agree that, despite being entertaining and visually impressive, fails to transcend the way the first movie did.
It seems that the summary is therefore clear: those who are looking for a spectacular visual experience will probably enjoy every minute of its action scenes and its great staging. However, those expecting a history as striking and rounded as the original, you may feel a little disappointed.