I was really disappointed in this film. The pacing was weird, some scenes felt rushed when they needed a little more time to breathe. Emotional beats didn't land when they should've. The cgi was so bad it took me out of the film. I didn't really care about anyone in the film becaue I didn't really get the time or better scenes to help me connect with the characters. The storylines seemed to come to nothing as well, I thought Pedro Pascals story could've been interesting, but nothing doing. A messy movie. Unsatisfying.
The movie wasn’t bad at all. I think you’re all being way too harsh on it. For a modern film, it was enjoyable, and the story was pretty good, in my opinion. It’s definitely not better than the first one, but it’s still good. The issue is that many people expect the same vibe or direction as the first one, which isn’t possible because this is a different movie with a new approach to Gladiator. And that’s okay.
The fact that you had to distinguish Gladiator 2 as a "modern film" says a lot about the state of the film industry at the moment. And your point about expecting a similar tone and vibe as the first one should be expected because it's a sequel. The people making this film want you to remember the first one and pretend you're having a similar experience with this newer, inferior, film because they didn't put in as much effort into the story as they did with the first one. A recent film that manages to remind you why you like the first one and succeeds at being a better film would be Top Gun: Maverick.
Ralf Möller's absolute side character in the original had more of a character arc and was better acted than what got delivered in this dumpsterfire from all the well established A-listers we _know_ can act. It was just rehashing, appealing to nostalgia and literally reshootign scenes from the 2000s costantly asking the audience "Remeber when _Gladiator_ did this, but ya know, so much better?".
The first movie is probably in my top 5 all time, so I had no reason not to like this one. I hated it from start (well, upto when his wife gets shot, the action scene before that was decent, other than the fact you knew she was going to die) to finish. They did everything wrong. Bad casting, Denzel's rise from an owner of six or so gladiators to hanging with the emperors was way too fast. Plus I agree, it was Denzel just acting like Denzel, it didn't fit the rest of the world. The action scenes were odd, like the monkey fight, why monkeys? And why was our star having such a problem with them but the rest of the gladiators had no problems with the rest of the monkeys that came out? Its like the camera was so focused on the main guy only, it didn't show you a single shot outside of that. The dialogue was terrible (when the other gladiators were making monkey sounds and laughing at Lucious all I could think was 'cheepcheepcheep' from the Room), the story wasn't something worth making a movie about and the ending was just so dumb. There was no reason for Denzel's character to leave his own army and approach the outside army, what was he planning on doing? His army had Lucious surrounded so they could have taken him prisoner and there wasn't much the opposing army would have done since this guy is a stranger to them. A bad, bad movie
Unfortunately, Gladiator 2 is a cartoon. The CGI was excessive and not well done. I'm not sure why Denzel Washington decided to take part in this sequel. Diapponting.
I haven't seen the sequel, and i dont plan to. Yet i can believe that it sucks just by what I've seen in the trailer. So i find myself agreeing with you on everything thus far, However, i have enjoyed the movie Pompei on more than one occasion. Yes, it's not an epic of all times like the Gladiator, and yes, the creators were probably trying to cater to Gladiator fandum, much like Pearl Harbour cathered to Titanic fandum, but it does not take away from it being well made, acted and enjoyable to watch, on more than one occasion.
@HamzaBoujelouah Ooo, the ending, of course, is my favourite part, but then again, I'm a romantic and a sucker for all the mushy, gushy romance stuff of films. The last kiss when the lava is coming down and covering the earth and therefore immortalizes their moment in stone, Ugh! It's tragically beautiful!
@Hamza Agreed on every single point you made. Funny because I recall havw the exact same thoughts on every single point you brought up whilst watching. Even wanted to leave early.
You forgot that Denzel‘s character was the one who arranged for the general to fight in the arena as part of the deal he had with “Hano”. Both Macrinus and Lucious were using one another for their own ends. But ultimately you are right. I did feel that the best thing about this film was exactly “the story that could have been”. Denzel had the most interesting role imo. And thought he was decent, not even he could do something really special with it. The whole thing felt forced, because the political message and plot came first and characters second (if not third), whereas the first Gladiator movie was precisely the reverse. I came out of that movie with a strange feeling, like I was wanting to have enjoyed more or been impacted by it more. The movie was going some much out of it’s own way to point at the first and say “wasn’t that movie F-ing awesome?!”. One more thing, the part about the hand being cut off (the reaction), is actually more realistic because he (Denzel) would be in a state of shock, which he did perform well imo.
It's disgraceful that Gladiator 2 is the sequel to one of the greatest films of all time, released 24 years ago. We waited over two decades only to get one of the worst sequels ever made. Where do I even begin? I wouldn’t rate Gladiator 2 higher than 2/10. From its lack of gravitas to a poorly constructed plot, miscast actors, and nonsensical characters, the film fails on every front. Denzel Washington speaking with an American accent while everyone else speaks with a British one is jarring, and the acting is laughable-Lucilla is shot in the sternum with an arrow, yet she somehow speaks flawlessly and comfortably. The portrayal of the emperor’s autistic brother was painfully bad. Nearly every aspect of this movie was a disaster. The rhino was the only redeeming feature. Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe were absolute legends. Their performances had soul, and their presence was nothing short of mesmerizing. They brought an incredible aura to Gladiator that elevated the film to greatness. In comparison, the acting in Gladiator 2 is so lackluster, it makes you truly appreciate just how extraordinary the performances in the original were.
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I was really disappointed in this film.
The pacing was weird, some scenes felt rushed when they needed a little more time to breathe. Emotional beats didn't land when they should've. The cgi was so bad it took me out of the film. I didn't really care about anyone in the film becaue I didn't really get the time or better scenes to help me connect with the characters. The storylines seemed to come to nothing as well, I thought Pedro Pascals story could've been interesting, but nothing doing. A messy movie. Unsatisfying.
The movie wasn’t bad at all. I think you’re all being way too harsh on it. For a modern film, it was enjoyable, and the story was pretty good, in my opinion. It’s definitely not better than the first one, but it’s still good. The issue is that many people expect the same vibe or direction as the first one, which isn’t possible because this is a different movie with a new approach to Gladiator. And that’s okay.
The fact that you had to distinguish Gladiator 2 as a "modern film" says a lot about the state of the film industry at the moment.
And your point about expecting a similar tone and vibe as the first one should be expected because it's a sequel. The people making this film want you to remember the first one and pretend you're having a similar experience with this newer, inferior, film because they didn't put in as much effort into the story as they did with the first one.
A recent film that manages to remind you why you like the first one and succeeds at being a better film would be Top Gun: Maverick.
Ralf Möller's absolute side character in the original had more of a character arc and was better acted than what got delivered in this dumpsterfire from all the well established A-listers we _know_ can act. It was just rehashing, appealing to nostalgia and literally reshootign scenes from the 2000s costantly asking the audience "Remeber when _Gladiator_ did this, but ya know, so much better?".
The first movie is probably in my top 5 all time, so I had no reason not to like this one. I hated it from start (well, upto when his wife gets shot, the action scene before that was decent, other than the fact you knew she was going to die) to finish. They did everything wrong. Bad casting, Denzel's rise from an owner of six or so gladiators to hanging with the emperors was way too fast. Plus I agree, it was Denzel just acting like Denzel, it didn't fit the rest of the world. The action scenes were odd, like the monkey fight, why monkeys? And why was our star having such a problem with them but the rest of the gladiators had no problems with the rest of the monkeys that came out? Its like the camera was so focused on the main guy only, it didn't show you a single shot outside of that. The dialogue was terrible (when the other gladiators were making monkey sounds and laughing at Lucious all I could think was 'cheepcheepcheep' from the Room), the story wasn't something worth making a movie about and the ending was just so dumb. There was no reason for Denzel's character to leave his own army and approach the outside army, what was he planning on doing? His army had Lucious surrounded so they could have taken him prisoner and there wasn't much the opposing army would have done since this guy is a stranger to them. A bad, bad movie
Ridley Scott must retire as a director and only serve as a producer.
Since 2010s, he was to now, ruining his directorial career
Unfortunately, Gladiator 2 is a cartoon. The CGI was excessive and not well done. I'm not sure why Denzel Washington decided to take part in this sequel.
Diapponting.
Also, disappointing. Cheers!
I haven't seen the sequel, and i dont plan to. Yet i can believe that it sucks just by what I've seen in the trailer. So i find myself agreeing with you on everything thus far, However, i have enjoyed the movie Pompei on more than one occasion. Yes, it's not an epic of all times like the Gladiator, and yes, the creators were probably trying to cater to Gladiator fandum, much like Pearl Harbour cathered to Titanic fandum, but it does not take away from it being well made, acted and enjoyable to watch, on more than one occasion.
It's been a while since I've seen that film. I remember liking it ironically at first, but then the second half lost me. Maybe it's worth a rewatch?
@HamzaBoujelouah Ooo, the ending, of course, is my favourite part, but then again, I'm a romantic and a sucker for all the mushy, gushy romance stuff of films. The last kiss when the lava is coming down and covering the earth and therefore immortalizes their moment in stone, Ugh! It's tragically beautiful!
I always like first movie of Gladiator way better than new one tbh.
@Hamza Agreed on every single point you made. Funny because I recall havw the exact same thoughts on every single point you brought up whilst watching. Even wanted to leave early.
You forgot that Denzel‘s character was the one who arranged for the general to fight in the arena as part of the deal he had with “Hano”. Both Macrinus and Lucious were using one another for their own ends.
But ultimately you are right. I did feel that the best thing about this film was exactly “the story that could have been”.
Denzel had the most interesting role imo. And thought he was decent, not even he could do something really special with it. The whole thing felt forced, because the political message and plot came first and characters second (if not third), whereas the first Gladiator movie was precisely the reverse.
I came out of that movie with a strange feeling, like I was wanting to have enjoyed more or been impacted by it more.
The movie was going some much out of it’s own way to point at the first and say “wasn’t that movie F-ing awesome?!”.
One more thing, the part about the hand being cut off (the reaction), is actually more realistic because he (Denzel) would be in a state of shock, which he did perform well imo.
I was entertained 🔥 need a 3rd one.
Where would you want them to go with the story?
Cant tell if some of these videos saying Gladiator 2 is a bad film are wanna be Nerdrotics cause the movie I watched was pretty good.
Not a wannabe Nerdrotic.
I just didn't like it.
It's disgraceful that Gladiator 2 is the sequel to one of the greatest films of all time, released 24 years ago. We waited over two decades only to get one of the worst sequels ever made. Where do I even begin? I wouldn’t rate Gladiator 2 higher than 2/10.
From its lack of gravitas to a poorly constructed plot, miscast actors, and nonsensical characters, the film fails on every front. Denzel Washington speaking with an American accent while everyone else speaks with a British one is jarring, and the acting is laughable-Lucilla is shot in the sternum with an arrow, yet she somehow speaks flawlessly and comfortably. The portrayal of the emperor’s autistic brother was painfully bad.
Nearly every aspect of this movie was a disaster. The rhino was the only redeeming feature.
Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe were absolute legends. Their performances had soul, and their presence was nothing short of mesmerizing. They brought an incredible aura to Gladiator that elevated the film to greatness. In comparison, the acting in Gladiator 2 is so lackluster, it makes you truly appreciate just how extraordinary the performances in the original were.
Nah.