@lastword8783 that's kinda impossible because the first is considered one of the best films of all time. You would never get a sequel to anything if that's what you ask for
Completely agree. Doesn’t have to be better than the original to be worthy of a sequel, but it has to respect the original and not undo its story and themes.
I'd love to see a Ridley Scott ranking, he's such an interesting Director because he has a perfect mixture of movies that were big hits, incredible, and then some movies that fall flat.
I'm glad you liked it, Austin! Technically Gladiator II really operates constantly on a very high level. The sound, visual effects and production design are great. What holds it back from being a very good movie for me is the writing and the pacing. It often feels like the same story like in the first movie but less competently put together. The performances are good across the board but Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal don't have the same magnetism as Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Denzel Washington is fantastic though and Joseph Quinn was much better than I expected! Overall it's a solid and mildly entertaining good time at the movies that could've used a tighter runtime in my opinion. 65%
As a sequel to a movie that never needed a sequel, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Not as great as the first film, but mostly enjoyable. Denzel Washington I think tipped the movie over the edge for it being worth watching.
Yeah we need a Ridley Scott list. Man's got some of the best works across genres like Alien, Blade Runner, Martian, American Gangster and of course, the first Gladiator but at the same time there quite a lot of duds. So maybe a top 10 Ridley Scott movie list, 'cause Top 5 is too short. Saw Gladiator II a few days back, 'cause it released in India a full weak earlier and I had a great time at the theatres. Love your reviews Austin. Keep at it. Would love for you to be a bit more active on Letterboxd tho😉
I enjoyed Glad 2, it tied up arguably 2 loose ends from Glad 1 “what ultimately happened to Lucius” “who replaced Commodes as emperor”. I was entertained seeing both of those questions got satisfying answers in Glad 2. Lucius final duel & speech really justified this sequal’s existence well enough for me.
Russel Crowe coming back as a zombie to conquer Rome would have been better than this. It has to be compared because it's a sequel and built off the first one. I was invested to see how it'd end but felt nothing watching it or how it finished. Oh well. Epic cast, poor story.
We have to also remember that Gladiator was improvising along as there was never a finalized script. So it was written as it went along during the production.
I'm sorry, but if you're gonna make a Gladiator 2, make it worth it and this did not, really disappointed with what we got. Especially the horrible cgi and the AI written script.
Saw it, it was really good. I thought Paul was excellent..I’m surprised some people felt he wasn’t quite up to the role. I do think Pedro would also have been great as the lead too.
80 is wild, it's 60 on a good day. Entertaining? Yeah kind off, a decent successor to the original? Yeah kind of, but it never surpasses decent and there's WAY too many things dragging it down such as the wierd messaging constantly trying to make rome look and feel un appealing and the strange pacing. Very strange movie. It almost feels like it was made on a first draft
I heard this movie is bad but you seemed to like it the same thing happened with your wicked review. Im wondering if you have any reviews were you did not like the movie
Well Wicked is universally acclaimed, so most enjoy that. Gladiator 2, not as much. But yeahhhhhh 😂 all you have to do is look. I haven’t loved a lot of movies this year.
I have no interest in woke shit called Wicked. More lesbian witches like we saw in The Acolyte and Agatha All Along. Then House of the Dragon gave us repressed lesbianism between the two female leads. Give me Gladiator II! But I will have my expectations in check not expecting it to be better than the 2000 original which is one of my top favorite movies of all-time. Never forgot my first time watching Gladiator (2000). I missed out on it when it was in the theaters similar to Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, and The Lion King. I watched Gladiator on DVD when we barely got our first DVD player in early 2001. I was high as a kite. Took some Ecstasy. Then some peyote/mescaline with my eldest cousin who has enjoyed smoking weed since he was 14. I saw Pitch Black and Gladiator that same day. The first two movies I ever saw on DVD. Both were fantastic. First time I got to know Vin Diesel as Fast hadn’t come out yet and I don’t remember Vin at all in Saving Private Ryan. Gladiator instantly became one of my all-time favorites. I have a stepsister who hated Russell Crowe because of the Meg Ryan thing. And she ended up enjoying it. Classic 5-star movie next to Braveheart. I believe Gladiator II will be entertaining enough but not as legendary as the original. Ridley Scott is very sink or swim, feast or famine. But when he hits, he really hits.
Don't compare it to the original cause we didn't know what to expect. Yes it won't be as good as the first one since we didn't know what to expect. But it's nice Ridley Scott make a second part. We needed this. Especially in imax.
If the original is a classical composition, this new one is punk rock. Nowhere near as emotional or well-written as the first entry, but man is it a blast the entire way through. I was entertained. Great review, AB!
Denzel would be having great time with such gray character, master of playing such roles, I'm not satisfied with lead casting, Paul mescal just doesn't give that aura of fighter in Greek period drama
I personally was disappointed. The opening few minutes was my favourite part of the movie, with a flashback of the first and the epic score. I had goosebumps. I thought this is going to be decent but I feel like modern film making is nothing as good as the original looked. The action scenes in this look like your watching a cartoon in comparison to how much more realistic the first one was. The CGI alone looked terrible and spoils everything. I felt alot of it was soulless and emotionless compared to the first. The original was captivating in every scene and didn't feel rushed overall. I know u shouldn't compare it too much but it's hard because the first one was a masterpiece and Russell crowe was just incredible in that character/role. 5/10 for me but still probably the best movie of 2024
Questions for a debate I’m having 1. Who is the main lead character in the Northman? 2. Does The Northman have a lead female character? 3. Who would you consider the main lead female in The Northman?
I've just come back from a 2nd viewing and I enjoyed it more even more the second time (maybe as I stopped comparing it to the first the second time). Yes, it'll never better the first for me, which is an all timer for me, but I do really like this one. I really like Mescal's quiet intensity, which makes it more effective when he does let the rage out and I was invested in his journey through the film. He feels like a worthy successor to Maximus's legacy in this world. Denzel is awesome. Give him nominations. I do wish they didn't copy certain story beats the same as a the first, but I'll allow it because of hoe entertaining it is. There's also more conflicted emotions for me in certain scenes than the first, where you're also rooting for Maximus. The weakest thing for me was some of the CGI, particularly the early water shots, the baboons and the sharks. When the practical sets and environments are so good, these weaker CGI bits took me out of it.
Loved Denzel in this…he was the MVP. Pascal should have been lead.
Ridley Scott ranking? Yes, please.
So, were you entertained?!
I WAS! Lol
Whenever I saw Danzel in the trailer I bought a ticket. Worth it.
I really wouldn't compare it to the original, that ones a masterpiece and a sequel could never beat it
For sure, but it’s hard to avoid that!
@AustinBurke I get u
I dont think a sequel should be made unless the creators are very confident they can make something better or at least as good as original
@lastword8783 that's kinda impossible because the first is considered one of the best films of all time. You would never get a sequel to anything if that's what you ask for
Completely agree. Doesn’t have to be better than the original to be worthy of a sequel, but it has to respect the original and not undo its story and themes.
I'd love to see a Ridley Scott ranking, he's such an interesting Director because he has a perfect mixture of movies that were big hits, incredible, and then some movies that fall flat.
I'm glad you liked it, Austin! Technically Gladiator II really operates constantly on a very high level. The sound, visual effects and production design are great. What holds it back from being a very good movie for me is the writing and the pacing. It often feels like the same story like in the first movie but less competently put together. The performances are good across the board but Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal don't have the same magnetism as Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Denzel Washington is fantastic though and Joseph Quinn was much better than I expected! Overall it's a solid and mildly entertaining good time at the movies that could've used a tighter runtime in my opinion. 65%
It’s tough because gladiator is so close to a perfect movie
Another fantastic video! thank you
As a sequel to a movie that never needed a sequel, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Not as great as the first film, but mostly enjoyable. Denzel Washington I think tipped the movie over the edge for it being worth watching.
Yeah we need a Ridley Scott list. Man's got some of the best works across genres like Alien, Blade Runner, Martian, American Gangster and of course, the first Gladiator but at the same time there quite a lot of duds. So maybe a top 10 Ridley Scott movie list, 'cause Top 5 is too short. Saw Gladiator II a few days back, 'cause it released in India a full weak earlier and I had a great time at the theatres. Love your reviews Austin. Keep at it. Would love for you to be a bit more active on Letterboxd tho😉
Seeing this tomorrow. Hopping on the train for the Ridley Scott ranking also.
I feel like this is an unnecessary sequel, but if you enjoyed it, I’ll give it a shot. It’s just not Gladiator without Russell Crowe and Hans Zimmer.
Yes please to the Ridley Scott film rankings 👍🏼
I’d love a Ridley Scott ranking
I enjoyed Glad 2, it tied up arguably 2 loose ends from Glad 1 “what ultimately happened to Lucius” “who replaced Commodes as emperor”. I was entertained seeing both of those questions got satisfying answers in Glad 2. Lucius final duel & speech really justified this sequal’s existence well enough for me.
I mean at least it’s better than Russell Crowe coming back from the dead …..or is it lol .
Good point! Lol
Sequels should be judged by the movies that came before.
Excited to see it!
Russel Crowe coming back as a zombie to conquer Rome would have been better than this. It has to be compared because it's a sequel and built off the first one. I was invested to see how it'd end but felt nothing watching it or how it finished. Oh well. Epic cast, poor story.
We have to also remember that Gladiator was improvising along as there was never a finalized script. So it was written as it went along during the production.
I'm sorry, but if you're gonna make a Gladiator 2, make it worth it and this did not, really disappointed with what we got. Especially the horrible cgi and the AI written script.
Saw it, it was really good. I thought Paul was excellent..I’m surprised some people felt he wasn’t quite up to the role. I do think Pedro would also have been great as the lead too.
I love it ! ❤❤❤. Great action movie
80 is wild, it's 60 on a good day. Entertaining? Yeah kind off, a decent successor to the original? Yeah kind of, but it never surpasses decent and there's WAY too many things dragging it down such as the wierd messaging constantly trying to make rome look and feel un appealing and the strange pacing. Very strange movie. It almost feels like it was made on a first draft
It’s an 80 for me!
Is it better than the sequel to 300?
Denzel made this movie worth it for me
I heard this movie is bad but you seemed to like it the same thing happened with your wicked review. Im wondering if you have any reviews were you did not like the movie
Well Wicked is universally acclaimed, so most enjoy that. Gladiator 2, not as much.
But yeahhhhhh 😂 all you have to do is look. I haven’t loved a lot of movies this year.
Its was a terrible B movie, evry1 phoned it in, what a waste of time, what a disgrace to movie making!!
TERRIBLE FILM. 2/10,has no depth and copy and past lines and plot from the first movie. The lead actor looks identical to Logan Paul
I have no interest in woke shit called Wicked. More lesbian witches like we saw in The Acolyte and Agatha All Along. Then House of the Dragon gave us repressed lesbianism between the two female leads. Give me Gladiator II! But I will have my expectations in check not expecting it to be better than the 2000 original which is one of my top favorite movies of all-time.
Never forgot my first time watching Gladiator (2000). I missed out on it when it was in the theaters similar to Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, and The Lion King. I watched Gladiator on DVD when we barely got our first DVD player in early 2001. I was high as a kite. Took some Ecstasy. Then some peyote/mescaline with my eldest cousin who has enjoyed smoking weed since he was 14.
I saw Pitch Black and Gladiator that same day. The first two movies I ever saw on DVD. Both were fantastic. First time I got to know Vin Diesel as Fast hadn’t come out yet and I don’t remember Vin at all in Saving Private Ryan. Gladiator instantly became one of my all-time favorites. I have a stepsister who hated Russell Crowe because of the Meg Ryan thing. And she ended up enjoying it. Classic 5-star movie next to Braveheart.
I believe Gladiator II will be entertaining enough but not as legendary as the original. Ridley Scott is very sink or swim, feast or famine. But when he hits, he really hits.
An effective but flawed sequel...7/10
It was awful, they do woke it up for a modern-day audience and some of the BS in this movie is laughable.
Don't compare it to the original cause we didn't know what to expect. Yes it won't be as good as the first one since we didn't know what to expect. But it's nice Ridley Scott make a second part. We needed this. Especially in imax.
Force awakens - yep
If the original is a classical composition, this new one is punk rock. Nowhere near as emotional or well-written as the first entry, but man is it a blast the entire way through. I was entertained. Great review, AB!
Love that comparison
Denzel is fantastic in this film.
Denzel would be having great time with such gray character, master of playing such roles, I'm not satisfied with lead casting, Paul mescal just doesn't give that aura of fighter in Greek period drama
I personally was disappointed. The opening few minutes was my favourite part of the movie, with a flashback of the first and the epic score. I had goosebumps. I thought this is going to be decent but I feel like modern film making is nothing as good as the original looked. The action scenes in this look like your watching a cartoon in comparison to how much more realistic the first one was. The CGI alone looked terrible and spoils everything. I felt alot of it was soulless and emotionless compared to the first. The original was captivating in every scene and didn't feel rushed overall. I know u shouldn't compare it too much but it's hard because the first one was a masterpiece and Russell crowe was just incredible in that character/role. 5/10 for me but still probably the best movie of 2024
Superb❤
Ed Sheeran and Prince Harry were standouts
Can’t wait to not watch it 😊
Good for you
Cool? Idk what I’m supposed to say to that lol
Nice nipples
Thank you
Screenplay sucked and took me out of investing into it at all. Some interesting set pieces though.
I was "whelmed"
Hated Paul mescals accent. He has an Irish lilt and a soy boy. Not a tough macho bloke. Didn’t pull it off. It pissed me off
No more please
Kanguva better
ROMEOPOLIS....or Rome Vice
Questions for a debate I’m having
1. Who is the main lead character in the Northman?
2. Does The Northman have a lead female character?
3. Who would you consider the main lead female in The Northman?
Do the ranking
Ranking of what two movies 😂
I've just come back from a 2nd viewing and I enjoyed it more even more the second time (maybe as I stopped comparing it to the first the second time). Yes, it'll never better the first for me, which is an all timer for me, but I do really like this one. I really like Mescal's quiet intensity, which makes it more effective when he does let the rage out and I was invested in his journey through the film. He feels like a worthy successor to Maximus's legacy in this world. Denzel is awesome. Give him nominations. I do wish they didn't copy certain story beats the same as a the first, but I'll allow it because of hoe entertaining it is. There's also more conflicted emotions for me in certain scenes than the first, where you're also rooting for Maximus. The weakest thing for me was some of the CGI, particularly the early water shots, the baboons and the sharks. When the practical sets and environments are so good, these weaker CGI bits took me out of it.
all hail Dondas
I really like it. 8/10
Ridley Scott ranking? Yes, please.