Gladiator 2 - A Disappointment

[@griffinmcclary8610]

Paul mescal is a subtle actor in a film with no subtlety

[@Hermdawg123]

Pretty much summarises the movie perfectly. He’s a phenomenal actor, but I didn’t entirely buy him in the role.

[@artkub5396]

And today, you win the Internet, sir.

[@johnjungkook2721]

Charismatic actors can usually elevate a bad film, though. He's just not a leading-man type of actor

[@beely5052]

That is exactly right

[@calicobizz8056]

​@@johnjungkook2721 Pedro Pascal was right there too . Idk y they went with him

[@RyanMcCorkell]

I feel like Paul Mescal actually did pretty good considering his characters motivation changes like 3-4 times in the last hour. Denzel was able to give a better performance because his characters motivation and goal of gaining power never changed.

[@bulldogfront666]

Yeah the way he was expected to go from "FUCK YOU YOURE NOT MY MOM" to "FUCK YOU MOM" to "I LOVE YOU MOM BUT FUCK YOUR HUSBAND" to "OK I LOVE YOU BOTH AND ACCEPT THAT I AM YOUR SON AND THAT I SHOULD CONTINUE MY FATHERS LEGACY" in the span of like 2 days in the story, and like 45 minutes in the movie makes you actually respect his performance a lot.

[@TippedScale]

​@@bulldogfront666It's crazy how much character development happened in like, two days

[@mellybean1718]

The scene with Denzel and the severed head was so lame though. It felt like he was playing a 90s gangster, ugh

[@Dethmaster64]

Gladiator II is the greatest advertisement for watching Gladiator I

[@Charles12]

fitting seeing how ridley scotts career began in advertising

[@applemayteves]

this is true for me because I havent seen the first one. i only watch it after watching the trailer for the part 2 lmao.

[@Kosiduss]

Gladiator 2 is superior in nearly every single aspect from choreography, to cinematography, editing, acting, pacing or plotting

[@crysischampion3530]

@@Kosiduss The NAV profile picture really gives the bait away lmao

[@Kosiduss]

@@crysischampion3530 not bait, i saw both in the same week and gladiator 2 is obviously better. People are conditioned to claim a first movie of a franchise is superior, especially when it's a movie people have so much nostalgy for.

[@mitchelltownsend7139]

Crazy that after 20 years in development the best they could come up with is “the first one again.”

[@CocoonCast-Rebekah]

They had a really strange script at one point for Maximus reincarnating across time. THAT would have been better THAN THIS

[@bobbyshewan4229]

@@CocoonCast-RebekahI haven’t seen the first one but I love high concept shit like this, I’d kill to see that movie

[@Sektor118]

@@CocoonCast-Rebekah the acid trip that would have been if they went with Maximus becoming Dick Cheney would have been 100x better especially since Russell Crowe already looks like him

[@MaverickLee11]

25 years

[@TheSkyheart5]

They say "let them cook" but the nature of creativity is such that if you wait too long to return to an old work, even the creator of it will have forgotten what made it special in the first place.

[@DW-bk5nb]

Whoever styled Denzel did their big one. He looked sooo good

[@lowlowseesee]

the only good thing about the film lol

[@smurfette_blues7922]

My favourite parts of the whole film was him drowning in silks. He was constantly preening and adjusting his robes and, in tandem with his Shakespearean line deliveries, i simply couldnt take my eyes off him!

[@JL_Lux]

@@lowlowseeseeoh stop it - the movie was great - you letting some damn KZbinr make up your mind is embarrassing

[@mireillelebeau2513]

Gladiator 2: not good in so many way. But the success at box office $$$.

[@ChryskylodonInstitute]

those would be Janty Yates & David Crossman

[@DW-bk5nb]

Paul mescal did not give off the vibe of a burdened man who watched his wife die. He seemed pretty jolly and chill the whole time lol

[@barbiquearea]

That's what I thought. And even him wanting vengeance feel pretty flat when his wife tried to kill Acaceus during the battle.

[@smurfette_blues7922]

Yeah... alot of 'fridging' happened in this with very little room for the emotional impact to sink in. I am curious if, this would be helped if we get to see the supposedly 4 hour cut of the film.

[@lockekappa500]

All this talk of "Rage" and I saw none of it. Just a guy who bit a monkey.

[@micaelemagalhaes9274]

He also had much more chemistry with the doctor than with his wife.

[@Qwerty-db1js]

thats true. that part of the story needs abit more visually explanation.

[@ciaolife]

The "secret love child" cliché also undermines the heartbreak of Maximus' family being slaughtered and his quest for revenge in the first film

[@jackroberts4361]

That's one of my few complaints. It's an unnecessary legacy character twist. Having Lucius be just a kid inspired by Maximus is enough.

[@Neurodivergent-j1f]

@@jackroberts4361Nailed it.

[@andydufresnefromshawshank5866]

4:15 Water arenas were real, but they never used Sharks, they used Nile Crocodiles. Which makes much more sense, and they’re more aggressive

[@brucedick7152]

Props to Denzel for knowing what he's in, Training Day in a toga

[@sabertoothedcapybara]

Hey now, that's not fair..... some scenes were The Equalizer with hoop earrings and lots of rings rings...

[@lowlowseesee]

barely

[@Sektor118]

I respect that he didn't even try to fit in with the rest of the actors trying to channel ancient rome and just said naw fuck it yall getting Alonzo Harris again

[@motor4X4kombat]

i like the part where he goes "King Nero ain't got shit on me!"

[@Sektor118]

@@motor4X4kombat Ma Gladiata

[@radguurl]

It needed a couple of more script rewrites. Mostly wanted to see more of Lucius' escape from rome and how he met and cared for his wife, which should have been the opening animation instead of a rehash of the first movie. There should have been way more of Pedro Pascal's character. Sure, he's tired of fighting in wars, but I wanted more of his relationship with Lucilla and more of them plotting against the emperors. And they really dropped the ball on the drama of General Acacius serving under maximus then marrying Maximus' old flame in Lucilla, being Lucius stepfather who sets everything in motion. The family dynamics of all three could have been wonderfully juicy.

[@filmneek]

Tbh I felt absolutely nothing for lucius’ quest. He wanted revenge for his wife’s death, a woman who was attempting to kill other soldiers during a battle who then in turn naturally got killed by the opposing army. We’re supposed to hate the general for that? What did they expect when firing arrows during a war. In the first film we sympathise because maximums’ family was unfairly targeted.

[@Qwerty-db1js]

Tbf, i thought lucius' vengeance was more about his inner struggles of who he really was. I never felt that it was about his wife. It's all about his abandonment as a kid. Lucius also seemed at his angriest when he finally talked to his mother.

[@justinfung4351]

​@@Qwerty-db1js I think your comment summarises why this movie didn't work as well as the first. The motivations behind each character, from the protagonist to the antagonists, just weren't as clear, nor as resonant as in the first.

[@nat.s.c]

Like maybe if we had gotten to see just a shred of the alleged depth of their relationship or if she had been killed in a more brutal or unfair way I might’ve cared a little bit more. Pair that with the fact that the general is played by cutie patootie Pedro Pascal and you’re gonna have to make him do a LOT worse for me to hate him

[@matthiasknutzen6061]

But the Romans attacked them? Of course he's mad lol

[@Suztvfan]

@@matthiasknutzen6061 Him being mad is understandable. The problem is that the audience wouldn't have those emotions at all. They can't connect. He wants to get vengeance because of his wife. The problem for the audience is that she is a legitemate target to kill. We don't feel the emotion for her dead. While in the first movie the audience realizes that Maximus' wife and son are unjustly targeted, people connect more to his motivation. So the motivation of the characters while both originate from: My wife (family) got killed. Only one will hit an emotional snare with the audience. It's the one with killing of innocents and not the one with killing an archer in a fight.

[@Roberta_Trevino]

Am I the only one that thought it was hilarious when Dundus (the little monkey) was appointed by Caracalla as is 1st right hand man? The way he just announces it and then we see a shot of Dundus just chilling and eating grapes sent me

[@elle1107]

Hail Dondas!

[@mikhailkataev5420]

I was shocked with how much the plot tried to imitate the first film but was so all over the place at the same time, the whole storyline had more inconsistencies than a hedgehog has spikes

[@kayanoreeves1949]

did you even see the movie? It was a completely different story with several required throwbacks to the original, just to keep fans from saying "that wasn't like the first one at all. I didn't like it."

[@juxe411]

It sounds dumb but i feel like all the scenes just happened, like it was a 2-hour highlights video of a tv show, nothing in each scene connected, i didn’t feel any threat of danger, I didn’t feel immersed in the moment at all, each scene and set piece lasted like a minute long

[@krypticunlimited6925]

I’ve been feeling this with a lot of movies lately

[@radguurl]

This is EXACTLY what it felt like! The scenes themselves were shot well but I didn't care about most of the plot because it felt that a ton of plot points were clearly edited out to cut down on time.

[@pepitomgk]

tiktok audience

[@Daniel_Martin777]

@@krypticunlimited6925 me to

[@Copyrighttt_]

I feel like Mescal's character wasn't needed. You could've covered the same ground with Pascal and Washington, both better performances and characters

[@Sharpe1502]

I’ve seen a lot of people praising Fred Hechinger (probably misspelled that), and what I find amazing is that he literally joined last minute after Barry Keoghan dropped out. I’d never heard of him and just watched him in Thelma and agree. Fantastic actor! He has fantastic screen presence and he was absolutely lovely in that movie. Knowing that he is one of the emperors in the movie is making me more excited to see it.

[@AdityaaT100]

I think Denis Villeneuve probably would have made a better Gladiator sequel just like he did with Blade Runner

[@olivercoulter260]

That would actually be interesting and would love to see it

[@Tyler_W]

A Denis Villeneuve historical epic would be dope. I'd see just about anything he makes at this point, but I'd love to see this once he's fully satisfied the Dune itch.

[@kaeso6227]

Totally, a director in their prime with a different perspective would have been great for this. Shame it felt like we got a film that was rushed out.

[@joeculp3993]

I mean the man has already made one of the best gladiator stadium sequences ever in Dune Part Two. Villeneuve would’ve cooked so hard with this.

[@olivercoulter260]

@ so true! Man this has just got me depressed now 😂

[@elise4287]

Honestly, this film proved (to me) that Paul Mescal is one of the best actors of his generation because he was able to give a fine performance when having absolutely nothing to work with. Glad he got the money from this and hope it’s used to keep doing the great smaller films he’s done.

[@olivercoulter260]

I found him to be a very dull bootleg Crowe. He conveyed none of those subtle glimmers of soul and spirit that made Rusty one of the best of his gen. Maybe that’s down to bad script with no character depth but it all seemed to highlight how we can only peer into the past and do a pale imitation to diminishing returns.

[@TobyLerone76]

His performance was abysmal imo - the least inspiring human on the whole set. Dudes supposed to be motivated people to fight to the death and sounds and looks like he just got out of bed. Unreal

[@olivercoulter260]

@ 😂. Too true. He’s Chauncey Gardner from Being There, people can see whatever they want to see on a blank canvas. I saw zzzzzzzzs.

[@Sektor118]

@@elise4287 there was no performance he...... delivered... every... fucking... line... like... this... unless... specifically... instructed TO SCREAM at mom or chuckle

[@MaverickLee11]

Sadly, he was nothing like what Maximus' son would, should of could have been.. he looked nothing like young maximus (crowe), did not sound anything alike, did not look anything alike, did not move anything alike, even the receeding hairline was nothing alike, he could not even master the cinematic art of silence or pauses like Maximus (crowe) did. He seemed too excited, too eager, too inexperienced.. looked more like a Tubidi Gladiator, rather than Maximus' actual son.

[@athenajaxon2397]

I'm here for Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal looking hot. The rest is just for fun

[@tacoreibrown6560]

ur so real tho

[@nafischowdhury7375]

the bar is so low. watch better movies and save your time.

[@anthonymartensen3164]

@@nafischowdhury7375 people can watch and enjoy anything they want

[@nat.s.c]

@@nafischowdhury7375yeah but not all movies have Pedro Pascal fighting in sandals, so why would I watch those movies?

[@javierlopez9789]

Pedro pascal? Jesus the bar is really low ​@sarah.n.s.c.

[@osmanyousif7849]

The thing that made the first Gladiator work so well was that it was it's own self contained story. Sure, it was inspired by Hamlet and Conan the Barbarian, but it still managed to work in both to tell a cohesive story, with a main protagonist and antagonist. Sure, but Maximus and Commodus have their set of followers and allies who all have their own motivations or goals, but these two are meant to be the primary focus. Thus the big climatic spectacle and heart wrenching finale fits. But in this "sequel", it feels dissonant. Not only does it have way to many characters that don't have enough focus, nor a strong connection for the protagonist, that we want to see the two battle it out in the climax.

[@Sektor118]

@@osmanyousif7849 first one was a highly inspired film that had the best people in their prime behind it, second one is pure algorithmic content

[@christianlambhtx]

It’s funny because the rhinoceros part was actually historically viable, whereas the sharks were not historically accurate lol

[@Littlestraincloud]

I think Fred Hechinger is underrated and I'm glad to hear you giving him his flowers

[@BradsPitts.]

Seriously tho, he’s been crushing it since White Lotus

[@Littlestraincloud]

@@BradsPitts. He's really good in the Fear Street trilogy too!

[@mtotheatothedoubled]

Justice for May Calamawy 🍉

[@freefilistine23]

they cut all her scenes, right?

[@mtotheatothedoubled]

@ I believe so. She was supposed to be a love interest

[@lockekappa500]

@@freefilistine23 If she's who I think she is, she's in it. But doesn't say a word, just kind of shadows him for two scenes. Denzel also had a kiss with a man cut, so I dunno what the hell happened here.

[@liampatrick3110]

Don’t know who she is, nor do I care.

[@mtotheatothedoubled]

@@liampatrick3110 🍉

[@kayla_eevee]

This movie's very existence kind of pisses me off to the point that I refuse to watch it on principle. Why did it need to be a Gladiator sequel? Why not try telling a new story set in ancient Rome? Why does absolutely everything need to be sacrificed on the altar of the franchise?

[@mnk9073]

Because Hollywood has zero creativity left but still LOOOVES the money. That's why we get remakes of remakes of remakes, each worse than the last.

[@bulldogfront666]

I was really expecting a completely new story. When the plot thread was exposed that it's all tied directly back to the first movie I was pretty disappointed. I accepted it for what it was though and just had a fun time watching a hollywood action blockbuster. Which is cool on it's own merit. I haven't just watched a movie for the action and visuals and enjoyed it like this in quite a while. Brought me back to watching shit like this with my dad as a kid and not giving a shit about the plot no matter how bad it was. Just having fun with the action, romance, and intrigue.

[@coolplaces123]

I thought it was a great movie personally.

[@jakehowl]

I wish I could unsee it. It's tainted my love of the first movie

[@Daniel_Martin777]

@@jakehowl I respect Gladiator too much to watch it

[@jw-ob1wv]

To be honest. When the dialogue and directing is this bad, i don't really care which actors are giving good or bad performances. I cringed really hard at lines throughout.

[@jesusangulo2119]

6:58 before you head out.... 😭😭😭

[@bridgetdriscoll9811]

underrated comment

[@Arawn505]

Haha oof

[@lockekappa500]

Why he gets paid the big bucks.

[@emiliomonroy7929]

There are too many comparations between art and fast food but this movie really is the fast food version of a movie, because by the end of it you feel full and yet still hungry at the same time

[@life09m]

The naval battle was cool but it really had me thinking how the hell they got all those sharks in and out 😭😭😭

[@Roberta_Trevino]

And how they got the water too! Thinking about the logistics behind such a massive change in the coliseum took me out completely. Especially considering that they did all that work for 1 battle. It doesn't make sense to do all of that for at most 1h of entertainment.

[@Mallemartinnn]

@@Roberta_TrevinoThe Romans were the best engineers to ever live. They did actually flood the Colosseum and other arena’s multiple times. It’s called naumachiae. So it did actually happen. The sharks in the arena probably didnt happen

[@Roberta_Trevino]

@@Mallemartinnn You know what, I did actually look into naumachia, and you're right, they did flood the coliseum. However, of all the naumachia that were held, the most epic and impressive ones were in giant pools and lakes. By comparison, the naumachia held in the coliseum were really not that impressive, and after a while, they became expected. I'm not saying that they wouldn't be epic by our standards, but what I am saying is that by the time Geta and Carcalla were emperors, it was no longer what they once were. That and the fact that in the coliseum, they often used props because the ships couldn't navigate or sink in an impressive way (again, compared to the first naumachia that were much more grand). I think this still fits in well with the movie, though, as Geta and Carcalla are supposed to be the kind of emperors that don't really think outside the box and that waste money on grand things. Thank you for your comment it was very fun to read about the whole subject.

[@AppleByte97]

Denzel still carrying movies into his 70’s. Thank you legend 🙏🏽

[@yntybeats112]

its better than most mainstream bull that's coming out these days. but I did miss some of that soul and a bit of originality, hence why I loved denzels character.

[@olivercoulter260]

I don’t know how you distinguish it. This seems exactly on par for sad mimicry that Hollywood dumps out.

[@yntybeats112]

@@olivercoulter260 general direction and visuals were great and this has better dialogue at least. I distinguish it mostly by the movie taking itself serious, instead of having every scene be interrupted by quips and jokes Targeted towards the audience.

[@Speedrtr]

@@yntybeats112 ‘rage pours through you like milk from a whore’s tit’ ‘Hose them off’ (hoses weren’t made until enlightenment) ‘Wood or steel, a point is still a point.’ ‘Everything is forgotten in time. Empires fall. So do emperors.’ Great dialogue Not to mentioned it copy pasted all the actual great dialogue from the first. ‘Strength and Honor’ ‘What we do in life echoes in eternity’ ‘There was once a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish... it was so fragile.’ I feel like there were others I can’t remember This movie was still unserious even though it wasn’t trying to be.

[@aijamberisabel]

All of the critiques you had with the film I sort of get but I actually really liked this film. I felt like it had a lot of emotional and character development which I feel like a lot of people are missing in simply comparing it to the original and saying “it’s worse” which actually made this film move me when I watched it which was really what the first one missed for though the first film does have a lot of magnetism to to which this one does miss for more interesting characters I’d argue.

[@awabicamazon]

Excellent take. No notes.

[@trafficcontrol2420]

🙄

[@JoeChillton]

All i walked away watching this is that Denzel took this role to the bank and feasted, he eat the scenery. The rest vary cause they are given crumbs.

[@CodeDusq1]

When Lucilla says “He sees the way” made me think of the Mandalorian, being that Pedro Pascal was also in this movie.

[@braydenlilley4607]

This movie is great if you don’t expect it to be as good as the first one

[@bobkys7916]

"Comparison is the thief of joy." It's impossible for anyone to enjoy anything without constantly thinking "the original was better". Like just enjoy this for what it is.

[@codyorrison685]

My expectations were not high but it was even more mediocre than I expected. Like someone mentioned above, just made me love the original even more. So that’s cool I guess. But I will never watch this piece of shit again.

[@Bubajumba]

Its just bad man, it has some exciting action scense but its hard to get invested in the story, you dont get invested in his family or how he lost them or anything. It feels very cheap and quick with little emotions. On the other hand a good movie like the first one gets you invested from the introduction to the point you about to join Maximus in his charge. It has emotion, this do not.

[@Speedrtr]

Where it went wrong? ‘Let’s make another one’ - Ridley Scott

[@Scanned]

As someone with no attachment to the original (saw the original Wednesday and the sequel yesterday), I agree with a lot of the criticism. Was I entertained? Yes. Did I also handwave a lot of the elements in the story that either didn’t make sense or was underbaked? Yes. It’s unfortunate that it’s essentially a retread of the first since it always had large shoes to fill without such a direct 1:1 comparison in tow

[@Arawn505]

2:32 This movie looks so much fun! Is this Aftersun? Gonna save this one for when I'm having a bad day ☺

[@KasaiKouhai]

Depends, you wanna make that bad day better or worse?

[@Arawn505]

Oh, it has Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie! That's my favorite song

[@game_boyd1644]

Uhmmm....

[@paulwillard81]

Anyone else thinks it’s odd that Karsten reviews movies and up until now has never seen the original Gladiator?!?!

[@TheCelticTiger32]

Bad ideas for Gladiator III 1. Have Lucien voluntarily return to the ring to fight this time 2. Make there a bee hive combat type. For example, the ring is covered in open beehives, who have been agitated by the bee keepers, so that the gladiators have to fend off these angry killer bees 3. Have the arena set up with multiple lighting rods, and have the gladiators fight in a lighting storm, dodging between lightning strikes. 4. Lastly, have them fight alchemists, who are throwing jars full of chemical hallucinogens, disorientating the gladiators and giving them visions

[@Shayor100]

😂😂😂

[@ddebnath11]

At that point why not literally reincarnate maximus and pull a "Somehow Maximus returned"

[@TheCelticTiger32]

@@ddebnath11 I love it

[@ArmedandDangerous918]

The 2nd one should have been where Lucius becomes a general since he was inspired and just have him go to war with another roman army or something. They could still use the arena a little but seeing other places would have been better for a sequel

[@tometrist7052]

Honestly it'd be pretty fun if they had some light mythological elements in this. Imagine if the final battle was just straight up a minotaur. Maybe that's a terrible idea, I don't know, but it would get people talking about the movie.

[@timon-emch]

from what I've heard, Harry Gregson-Williams delivered a pretty underwhelming score as well, which is such a shame because he composed freaking NARNIA

[@sarahogborn8024]

I was actually pleasantly surprised by the score! I was sad that Hans wasn’t doing it, but I actually thought Harry did a good job (I haven’t seen the movie yet, just listened to the score) with what he had. Nothing ground breaking or anything, but I thought the music was solid imo!

[@discountmichaelchiklis]

And all of the mainline Metal Gear Solid games since Sons of Liberty !

[@SaberRexZealot]

⁠@@discountmichaelchiklis actually a misconception. His contributions to Metal Gear are pretty limited, and most of the scores are done by Norihiko Hibino and later Ludvig Forsell.

[@b3ygghsas]

I don't agree, the music was great, specially in the final battle against macrinus

[@paulettewirtz785]

I agree with everything you said in this video, but I still really loved it. Hope more films of this scale come out because it's become rare nowadays

[@joelanthonyalvarado6947]

How have you just seen Gladiator?! 🤯

[@polkadotshillor]

Such a great movie dunno why everyone complaining

[@sniper8560]

Gladiator 2 makes me appreciate gladiator 1 even more

[@hibabadir9177]

The movie was too rushed with no real emotional connection other than reminding us of the emotions of the first movie. Some scenes should hace been the focus and it wasnt. So much wasted potential.

[@heliopkad]

WHERE IT WENT WRONG? "lets make a gladiator 2" lol

[@22jcmatias]

I think gladiator as a tv show series works better than a movie, they didn’t flesh out characters enough for me to care.

[@mireillelebeau2513]

@22jcmatias, you nail it, bravo.

[@Mr_Case_Time]

I watched “Scrooged” last night and got teary eyed. It’s a modernized adaptation of A Christmas Carol starring Bill Murray.

[@jedward635]

It went wrong the day the first guy said, “hey, let’s make Gladiator 2.” And no one anywhere fired him and beat him.

[@Johnny_Ayers]

I wasnt buying "Paul from IT" as a gladiator. So, I didn't bother.

[@Jezzascmezza]

1:00 - two equals a group?

[@niallh4194]

I mean like yeah in comparison to the first, not as good but goddamn was it a joy to watch throughout. We don't get Swords and Sandals films anymore thinking back to stuff like Prince of Thieves, Three Musketeers or Count of Monte Cristo and I love that we finally got something like that. Scott has been very messy the last decade so I got to give him credit for doing something I've liked for the first time since probably Robin Hood. As a Mescal fanboy, was a bit disappointed, found him one note and I adore his work in everything from Aftersun, AOUS and Normal People. But Denzel, Joseph Quinn and Pedro were all really good and interesting. Shoutout to Tim Mciennerney too. People can give me shit but I enioyed it. Small Things Like These is still my No.1 of the year so far though. Highly recommend that

[@awabicamazon]

Completely agree, Mescal did a good enough job for me!

[@edwardsmall6013]

Right I think people just don’t want to like a movie anymore. Went to see it with my mother and honestly liked it and Denzel’s character couldn’t stop watching .

[@tashaely3660]

I hate that they made him the son, I felt like it cheapened his love for his wife, sure they flirted in the first movie but he ultimately rebuffed her. Was a movie I doubt I will ever watch again. Gladiator is timeless,

[@thegunslinger1363]

My local cinema re released Gladiator on the big screen back in October. Whilst being in awe watching, I often said to myself, "Why make a sequel to this masterpiece?"

[@Mesonicc]

Gladiator II just made Gladiador I even better

[@AsadKhan-lm6yr]

Thanks for the fair and balanced review. Subbed

[@user-ly2ll5od1r]

Funniest part about this movie is the marketing surrounding pre release. I remember like a year before the release there were rumors about time travel resurrected Russel Crowe to it being the best movie of the of the century surpassing the original a week before release from the supposed test screenings only for it to turn out to be another mediocre Ridley Scott slop is so funny to me

[@ChrisCarmona]

Yo Karsten! It was so dope to meet you at the Gladiator screening, I was legit starstruck. And welcome to Los Angeles! If you're looking for a homie to check more movies out with, hit me up dawg 🔥

[@awabicamazon]

Paul mescal did incredible. The movie was a pleasant surprise. In the age of AI slop and fan service cash cows, this was truly a fun watch. Any other director would had Luscious yell R U NOT ENTERTAINED? and it would’ve totally killed the vibe. Nah they nailed it. First review I don’t see eye to eye with you, that’s okay, to each our own. Seems like you only enjoyed the villains. Hope you rethink it in the future rewatches. Either way, was it a perfect movie? Not by any means. But a breath of fresh air regardless.

[@guitarman0365]

One pattern I have seen is that Ridley Scott is a great visionary but not a great expander. Whenever he returns to his own previous property he can't tap the same magic. Ive seen it with alien prometheus and especially covenant and with this one. Thank God he didn't return for blade runner. Otherwise I bet that one would have been worse than what Denis pulled off. All his greatest works have been singular visions.

[@elifabbricante2584]

Paul didn’t stand out as the main character but Pedro didn’t do a good job at selling me Acacius either

[@sandrasim46]

i read a review on slate by patrick wyman that suggests almost the opposite of what you say, that gladiator 2 is more nuanced and critical of the roman empire than gladiator 1 is. haven't seen either movie but wyman's review got me interested.

[@awabicamazon]

Please watch both and come back and let me know, nothing beats the original in my opinion. But definitely a more nuanced film than people are suggesting.

[@JasonCobb-ps6vg]

The same director made this sequel. Ridley wanted it to go in this direction and spent alot of time to make it solid. Cant wait to buy!

[@mrdollamike1856]

The problem of this movie was he wanted to die like his dad did, but he hadn’t achieved nowhere near enough as his dad, Lucius storyline was boring and there should’ve been more of a development within his character rather then him losing his partner in battle who we didn’t even learn about

[@dont_panic____4959]

This movie was absolutely terrible. This movie is the perfect example of why some movies shouldn’t have sequels

[@JorgeLeonardoMartinez998]

It just didn’t capture that special something that part 1 has

[@awabicamazon]

Hard to do with sequels, especially after 24 years. But I agree

[@someguy2189]

Member-berries: The Movie. Also, am I the only one that thought that Pedro Pascal looked out of place as a Roman general? something about his overall look just seemed off. Denzel was the best part of the movie and they completely wasted him.

[@christoph1596]

Gladiator 2 is AMAZING… I can’t understand how people didn’t like this movie… genuinely.

[@lockekappa500]

I imagine there are a lot of things you have difficulty understanding.

[@mireillelebeau2513]

I have a Friend Who like CGI fights and can't understand how a story is Built. He loves Gladiator2.

[@JaxzanProditor]

Based on this and other discussions on the Internet, seems like this one is more of a “catch later on streaming with my dad” than a “go see in theaters” kind of movie

[@JaxzanProditor]

@ guess it’s too bad they didn’t make it worth going to see then

[@awabicamazon]

Don’t let other peoples opinions drag you away from experiencing and enjoying such a movie. It’s not perfect by any means, but definitely not a waste of your time, I enjoyed it.

[@KingDanny9]

I enjoyed this movie in theaters. And I'll watch it again, in the theater.

[@emo_markie]

Dad is a huge fan of Gladiador. Decided to surprise him and bought tickets! Left the theaters disappointed and thinking "could have streamed it and saved money" :/ At least Dad enjoyed the cinema experience :) He then of course suggested we rewatched Gladiador again XD

[@skiddy529]

I disagree that Denzel's character is more fit for a protagonist, I think he makes an extremely captivating antagonist - the film just lacks satisfying interactions between him and Lucius (who himself is uninteresting)

[@terrancecloverfield6791]

Yup. Just cuz it's near the same production team doesn't always translate to a good film. Fuck, I should have listened to my gut.

[@CampNou1999]

it's not just an insult to the first one the first one is a classic. it would be unfair to compare Gladiator II is an insult to any well written movie ever shot

[@jakegetsreel4024]

I’m still psyched to watch this soon. I thought the stuff with the flooded arena looked cool as hell

[@astroworld.mp3978]

This was definitely not a disappointment

[@CSorgini]

it literally fucking was tf?

[@astroworld.mp3978]

@CSorgini nope

[@JL_Lux]

@@CSorginino it wasn’t stop it

[@coolio2000]

​@@CSorginieach to their own I personally think that this guy watching the first one immediately before was silly as a lot of people have said even though they are very interconnected and have shared story they are meant to be treated with a degree of separation by the viewer

[@RC30019]

@@CSorgininope sorry bud but I loved the violence in this movie I was definitely entertained

[@andreanavarro4361]

I hated how they simply killed THE Lucilla and the senator from the first movie just like any other gladiator who died in the arena like what, why are you giving these legendary characters these type of miserable ending after everything they did in the first movie and how the ended up showered in glory after Maximus died for everything they did for the republic. The story made no sense, Denzel did give a “Denzel” performance, in my opinion he was the one who stepped into the overacting part, Pedro Pascal was seriously good, he communicated the sovereignty that his character was supposed to portray and it was sad how they didn’t take more advantage of him on screen, liked the fact that everytime the emperor bacame more paranoid his eyeshadow was darker and dramatic. Paul didn’t manage to make me feel anything during his speeches, it was just meh, this movie was a solid 6/10

[@brycekreiser]

"Before you head out" 6:59 hahaha, well played sir

[@ethanmullins4625]

la has really got to you, man

[@EmlynBoyle]

Ridley Scott just doesn't care anymore...next he'll make a sequel to Thelma and Louise, where they didn't really drive off that cliff and instead went through a time portal...into the future, where they become blade runners or some other dumb thing.

[@beetlej3ws]

I felt like I was watching parasyte gladiator edition

[@pollynlyubenova8365]

It was so weird hearing "Now we are free" in this. Made it seem even more like a parody.

[@darrtrubb]

What went wrong? EVERYTHING! Acting, writing, directing, CGI………

[@AlexLeyba1]

People should have expected this to be mediocre if it’s coming from modern day Ridley Scott

[@chandleredwards2823]

Modern Scott is only hampered by mediocre scripts, which has always been the case, hence why Martian was so good. It’s the issue with being a director and not a writer/director - your technical skills can only take a film so far.

[@AlexLeyba1]

@ Agreed

[@giiuulio3465]

Modern Day Ridley Scott made The Last Duel

[@AlexLeyba1]

@@giiuulio3465 That is an exception, also all the money in the world was good

[@Arawn505]

Seems like modern day Ridley Scott is a bit of a wild card. Could be bad, but could also be quite good! Who's to say

[@piercebrooks6747]

With a better script this film could of been a masterpiece

[@Yaahzy1]

THE GODS HAVE SPOKEEEEEN

[@alexanderrobinson9971]

#1 issue is Maximus "Lucious is safe" and then Gladiator 2's entire premise being like, "Lucious isn't safe and immediately exited Rome". If "the mob is Rome" then tell me how Lucious would be in any danger after the whole mob of Rome just watched what Maximus did. Cmon' guys. Just started from a terrible premise in general. Also, who tf are these 2 goons standing in as emperors and how did they get power from the daughter of Marcus Aurelius AND the senate? They seemed like inheritors of the throne but there was no one to inherit it from. Strange and disconnected.

[@violentscorl697]

It wasn’t the Roman populace endangering Lucius, but the people that wanted the throne for themselves (read: Aristocrats, senators, Generals etc.). If you’re interested read up a bit about the intrigue surrounding Commodus‘ death and the following emperors. Lucius WAS in danger. Either they would’ve just murdered him to eliminate the threat to their ascent to the throne, or they would’ve made him their puppet, which would’ve been his death sometime down the line as well.

[@CRAiCED.]

i thought the moms acting in this was terribllleeee

[@stacyg3425]

Someone said it!!!! I thought so too!

[@vernefits1953]

If you watch it with very low expectations it is actually entertaining.

[@cameronplaquin848]

Denzel was the worst part 100% felt like he was picked up out of modern times and dropped into the story

[@ermelinda2223]

Yes!!!! The way he talked too! His Ebonics were so there ( no I’m not being racist)

[@JakeBodenhamer]

To me, the first is infinitely better, but the second captures the spirit of the first. But yeah we did not need this film. I could never turn down a Denzel performance though.

[@sirg-had8821]

The whole thing went pear-shaped when some dork producer said: "Hey... let's make a sequel to Gladiator." All downhill from there.

[@Wyt_Rabbit]

Denzel's American accent took me out of the story.

[@NoSleeptilNovember]

I wish I can undo the Horrendous Gladiator II , Erased from my thoughts, I do not cared, if they called it a commercial success globally. It literally suck, like having a nice Ferrari but no engine. They had all the cgi, performance, funding to make it better but the most important thing was the story itself. Direction itself didn't know where it was going, misleading characters. Biggest gripe was the antagonist, at 1st the General was the enemy, then the twin emperors, finally Denzel who shouldn't of even been in that film to begin with... Didn't sound anything of 200 A.D... Took attention away from film to his real life mannerism. Russell Crowe Gladiator didn't need a reboot or sequel.

[@nerdsquid9951]

All of the criticisms in this review are bang on but for me I feel the film did succeed at using good spectacle and an over exaggerated look at the decadence of Rome (idk that’s my take)

[@kielmeakin4901]

Beyond a disappointment, it's entirely miserable

[@sheepstealinggreatgreatgrandma]

The version of the film that focused more on Denzel Washington's character is on the cutting room floor alongside May Calamawy's scenes - it seem she was mostly working with him and there's speculation that she was originally going to play Macrinus' daughter. Scott reportedly compared the casting for her role to the search for Mescal due to quote 'the importance of the character to the story' - so its no wonder that what remains without her is a bland and unoriginal rehash. It sounds like Scott (call it cowardice, politics etc) cut out what may well have been the best part of the film.

[@Adam_James-90]

Not a history buff but I don't remember any mention of sharks being caught/kept & transferred safely into the coliseum this just brings sharknado vibes.

[@motor4X4kombat]

this movie is basically deadpool & wolverine if you actually make it an official sequel to Logan and take out deadpool out of the equation. And without the jokes you can actually see how much it disrespect the past as well your brain cells

[@JL_Lux]

Yall are obsessed with Deadpool / grow up

[@Gatoroon]

You nailed this review!

[@vancecunningham5032]

The hidden backdrop is the fall of Rome. Marcus Aurelius was the last emperor of Rome's golden age, and it will never again bask in the glory of his rule. All the talk of the "dream of Rome"--but we know those days will never come. Those speeches ring hollow. In this way, the film instead becomes a tragedy, in spite of itself. Denzel is the hero, his rejection in favor of the hereditary rule and false promises of Lucius is symbolic of Rome's fall. At least that's my reading, whatever the creators intended I don't care

[@indianasamaritan665]

It’s weird that the audience scored it higher than the critics yet the KZbin content creators are the only people I see having pretty decent sized issues with it. Just odd

[@olivercoulter260]

Unfortunately the bar is that low and audiences have adjusted to the high fructose corn syrup slurry

[@ashdonsimmons01]

⁠i didn’t like it, the buddies i saw it with thought it was awesome. i was frustrated.

[@Qwerty-db1js]

it is still a relatively entertaining film to watch at cinemas.

[@bobkys7916]

​@@olivercoulter260people like to go to the movies and have fun. KZbinrs go to the movies with a pen and paper writing down what they're going to complain about in their next video.