GLADIATOR II Movie Review

[@pureb7235]

Wow I think you're the only reviewer who prefers Gladiator II to the first one. 😂

[@elijah0208]

I agree with Brian, i also prefer the sequel: much more vibrant, epic, colourful, entertaining! And less sad!

[@FrakkinToasterLuvva]

And it's because he hates the first one, not because she thinks this one is fantastic.

[@cgill914]

I have actually heard a lot of people say this. Mostly audience members, but even a couple critics too!

[@jasonwebster9300]

Gladiator (2000) was driven by the performances by Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, and Richard Harris, the costume design by Janty Yates and the score by Hans Zimmer. Russell Crowe thoroughly deserved the Best Actor Academy Award for his performance as Maximus.

[@elijah0208]

My opinion: phoenix was overacting and crowe was... underacting, and the first film overall was just not entertaining. Ppl use this word that much for the original and i wonder: was main character's sad outcome, which apparently led to lets say Not Much in that film, was that entertaining? Ppl claim so much that the sequel was pointless and i mean: but otherwise u wouldn't even know what happened next

[@ThisisNOHA]

I largely agree with this. I'm one of those weirdos who appreciated the madness of Napoleon (the director's cut is better as per usual) and thought The Counselor was an underrated and misunderstood masterpiece - what can I say? I prefer it when Sir Ridley gets weird. Gladiator II only occasionally gets weird and I just couldn't bring myself to care much about Mescal or Pascal. They took it too seriously, whereas Denzel understood the assignment perfectly and acted circles around everyone. I love Gladiator but I don't have the reverence for it that others do, so maybe that's why I enjoyed the sequel enough. T2 Trainspotting was a much better case of a sequel that understood it was a nostalgic follow-up and mostly used that to its strengths. It's a film about sad middle-aged men looking back. Gladiator II could've done a lot more with the legacy of Maximus beyond constantly reminding the viewer of how cool he was - it certainly didn't do Lucius any favors. Neither Ridley's best nor his worst.

[@gordongekko0110]

Maybe a "Ridley Scott and the elusive Oscar" is overdue?

[@armando5846]

Nah, he doesn't deserve one.

[@cgill914]

I would not be mad at that personally. Ridley Scott is a living legend!

[@hothotheat3000]

For me, I spent the runtime wishing that Pedro Pascal was the lead instead of Paul Mescal. There’s not a single second where I believed that men would rally behind Mescal’s character. Crowe had charisma to burn in the original, and Mescal is playing it much more internal. I think the story was engaging, but I wish we’d gotten a little more from Denzel, and a little more motivation from the villains.

[@cgill914]

I do wish the scene where Denzel’s character made out with a man was not cut out of the film 😅 I know Denzel had to be pissed that was cut because he is the type actor who goes for it 100% in his roles. For him to do that & then for it to be cut is almost disrespectful. But, I do envision him getting an Oscar nom for this role, as he should. He was fantastic!

[@johndebono1870]

I actually think the film is really interesting when it's "What if Maximus is the villain this time around". If they committed to that, it would have helped to flesh out Denzel's character and Mescal could play something more in his wheelhouse with a completely new character. To avoid spoiling right now, it goes downhill when other stuff happens into a kinda fun train wreck.

[@neomohoto8861]

So true

[@thetrison]

You opened the video saying you didn't even like the original Gladiator made me feel like taking a gut punch.

[@piadox]

No shot this gets into Picture. It’s probably Denzel and a few technicals, at best. Not even audiences are loving this. You’re a true outlier, Brian. Heheh

[@donna25871]

A pale imitation of the original. I was not entertained.

[@KhooHockLeong]

You are forthrighrt.That is what I iike about you. Pepple who likes Gladiator are those who ate very strong in the Christian faith only. Nit you accept all religions including Christianity. For die hard Christians they tend to eat all kinds of food too.

[@KhooHockLeong]

Imitation in procedure bit not the heart and soul of the content. That is true You need to feel true love in order to foerll in the Arts as both Trtued nu Venus ❤ The same goes for my father too.

[@albertooo16]

Sadly I disagree with you ^' I took my parents to watxh the movie with me and it kinda felt pointless movie. I've slept throughout the movie. 6.5/10 Original Gladiator: 9.5/10

[@peterade1697]

Denzel performers was underwhelming, not Oscar worthy imo. Jeremy Strong in The apprentice is my favorite supporting role so far this year.

[@singstreetcar5881]

Gladiator 1 is a masterpiece. Brian u are so wrong here. The acting, the story, the music, the costumes, the arena fight battles especially the one with the tigers. Watching this film as a kid, I was blown away. I didn't even know joaquine phoenix was the actor who played the emperor (I was a kid back then so I didn't care about actors or celebrities)

[@ChrisThomson-y7l]

Yeah, I always wonder why he points out the cgi when things like the tiger scene were entirely practical

[@Ezequiel-k9x]

Denzel Washington steal the show in this film

[@neomohoto8861]

It’s his film 😂

[@deanostanley8530]

Nice to hear a review that likes gladiator 2. Im in the camp that prefers the first film but i still thought it was a decent film. I think one of those films you need to watch a couple of times to see if you truly like it.

[@iammatthewdavid03]

I felt seen when Brian said that he wasn’t the biggest fan of the first Gladiator as I have tried to watch Gladiator 1 a bunch of times, and I wasn’t that impressed by the movie.

[@elijah0208]

Same goes 4me, i wasn't impressed with the original either, watched both of them this week, prefer the sequel 4sure

[@giovannifrancisetti5269]

Brian You never talk about the scores ?..what did You think on the score for Gladiator 2?..

[@gregg3744]

I wanted to root for it but it was a 6/10 for me. 1. the horrible pacing and drawn out exposition scenes suffocated the epic, incredible action scenes. 2. The acting was painfully mediocre - even from Denzel. I’m not sure why people are hyping him up so much. 3. The casting choices were mostly misses. Paul and Pedro were just popular vote casting. 4. The sets felt like 2024 not Ancient Rome. 5. THE CGI ANIMALS.

[@jojget]

I am planning to see this movie, but you saying that you did not like the original Gladiator and liked this one better is foreboding to me. The original Gladiator to me is one of the best movies ever made.

[@jovankariveroi513]

I loved Gladiator and watched it several times. I was disappointed Joaquin didn’t get an Oscar because his performance was brilliant. I haven’t seen G2 yet, but by all accounts, it rocks

[@drdavid1963]

No mention of the ridiculous sharks and baboons and the whole pointlessness of the project (apart from making a billion at the box office)

[@gavo1201]

Couldn't be more agree with the review in general but I think it is not better than the original, mainly because of 2 reasons: - Russell Crowe was outstanding in the first movie (Paul Mescal did it great anyway). - the score in the first movie is one of the best ever. Hans Zimmer was just incredible. And that is almost imposible to beat.

[@topogigio2879]

I've never liked the original either. The script sucks. Russell Crowe is great but it always came across to me as a very pale mash up of SPARTACUS and the brilliant 70's miniseries I, CLAUDIUS. Those projects had brilliant scripts and acting to match.

[@Bostonjohn64]

Give me the acting in Spartacus(1960) especially Olivier, Laughton and Ustinov compared to this crew.

[@topogigio2879]

Absolutely. Not to mention Jean Simmons, Nina Foch, Woody Strode, John Dall, and Kirk Douglas, of course. Not a middling performance in the bunch. I've never understood all the praise for Joaquin Phoenix or Richard Harris. Phoenix looked like hell, which I guess was supposed to show how depraved he was and Harris literally whispered every one of his lines. Drove me crazy.

[@Ldv1969cts5]

I disagree with you. Obviously, Paul Mescal is no Russell Crowe, who was nominated 3 years in a row - in widely divergent roles - the Insider, Gladiator and a beautiful mind. Plus he should have had one for Master and Commander and Cinderella Man, but was hurt by his bad boy image overblown in the press and as good as Denzel is, he overacted in this and Joaquin was outstanding in the 1st. This was a sequel that should never have been made. Come on Hollywood, enough with the sequels. I was not impressed.

[@JumbleJammyJokes]

I enjoyed the film too. Not quite as good as the first, but a decent companion piece. It gave me a new sword & sandal genre fix, but I agree that the ending felt rushed. My predictions for any future Oscar nominations: -Best Picture (long shot but given how weak 2024 has been, it’s just happy to be there) -Best Supporting Actor: Denzel Washington -Best Costume Design -Best Production Design -Best Visual Effects -Best Film Editing -Best Sound

[@alextttttt]

Totally agree it's better than the original!

[@Bluebox87]

I'm not a huge fan of the first one, but this sequel is atrocious in every way.

[@unorodriguez]

Love it. I watched it twice… I love this sequel… Denzel ate it… Connie is the heart of this film.. Pedro indeed was amazing. Paul is my man! I applauded Ridley for this beautiful ENTERTAINING and engaging movie indeed.

[@TheCatIndeed]

I pretty much agree with you. I like but don’t love Gladiator, and the increased spectacle and amazing Denzel Washington performance make me enjoy this one a bit more.

[@attasi]

Sorry Brian, I disagree with you completely. The only good thing out of Gladiator II was Denzel, the action scenes and a few technicals. It was not good.

[@adagiobreeze8493]

I have a feeling the Gays will prefer Gladiator 2 over the First one because of Pedro and Paul.

[@user-friendly-b6q]

You are the only one I heard say Gladiator 2 is better than the first. I think it was not your day , the day you first saw Gladiator 1. I am sorry Brian, but I totally disagree. Thank you for the review.

[@paultosinijaola1653]

Gladiator II: Production/technical 8/10 Story 5/10 Overall 6/10 Recently watched Gladiator again right before Gladiator II. I didn’t like it as much as I did when I first watched it. Gladiator II was great until it wasn’t.

[@jamielee7943]

Good review Brian. Happy to hear you liked it. I love the first Gladiator film. I do think it’s a 5 ⭐️ masterpiece. But I greatly enjoyed the Gladiator 2. I liked stepping foot back into Rome again. I thought it was a worthy sequel. Ridley Scott was back in fine form. I thought Paul Mescal was wonderful. A great lead. He certainly had the physicality. His fight scenes were fantastic. I don’t think he was miscast at all. I think the issue was the script. They tried to make Lucius too much like Maximus. Their stories are too similar. They even had Paul saying most of Russell’s most famous dialogue. Denzel Washington is always fantastic in everything. He has the most juicy, surprising role in this. You truly don’t know where his loyalties lie. He’s funny & cunning & brilliant. But the performance didn’t scream Best Supporting Actor to me unlike everyone else. I loved the soundtrack of the movie too. And the opening title sequence with the painting murals was glorious.

[@justaname999]

What the heck are those "animals"?! That is like the werewolf guy Lupin in Harry Potter mid-transformation.

[@elijah0208]

It was a bit unrealistic but otherwise wouldn't be entertaining (the word that ppl so overuse for the original)

[@tomw253]

OMG. I didn’t want to go but two friends talked me into it. I was right they were wrong. Totally uninspired sequel.

[@adekunlefalade7025]

🙄 First you came for Samuel L Jackson in The Piano Lesson, that he was just 'reacting', and now, it's the same for Denzel Washington. Hmmm..... OK, if you say so! Thank you for your reviews.

[@ryanking8227]

My review: 9/10 While it doesn't hit all the qualities that made its predecessor special, Gladiator II is still a worthy blockbuster sequel thanks to the incredible performances from the cast and spectacular battles.

[@gabrielwilliam5518]

Are you still going to review the movie "I'm Still Here"? Because I saw that you talked about several films seen at TIFF and those that came later, but this one ended up being left aside. But I would love to have a video of you talking about your impressions about the film!

[@giovannifrancisetti5269]

The musicscore was not good,Hans Zimmer is missed.

[@SAM-MME]

Hey Brian although people can assume, revealing who Paul mescals character was is kind of a spoiler. For future if you can just say minor spoiler alert in your video. Thankfully I’ve seen it but for others who have not. Thanks. Love your channel!

[@ChrisThomson-y7l]

The trailer already spoiled it. He didn’t spoil anything that the marketing team didn’t already do

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I enjoyed Gladiator II, it was a good "fun" entertaining Big Screen movie but it was not as good as the first... It lacked... the heart and soul of the first one, The music, The lead performance, The great ending. I loved the opening credits, and Connie Neilsen.

[@edwincatalan5000]

I agree whith your review !!! I love the movie it paid respect to the first one , i was exited tosee Paul mescal in this role and i think he did everything he can do to make the chacter shine !!! Didnt like all the rush of the las 20 minutes everything happens so fast and i agree it should take more slowly make a more emotional impact on us the viewers . But it was a good enterteining movie !!+

[@RodneyDollar]

Doubt this will get any nomination

[@Aurorak-i6l]

Gladiator II is as excellent as the first film. I managed to enhance my viewing experience by getting and listening to the soundtrack beforehand. And I can tell because at the credits, I closed my eyes, took deep breaths, and held my hands outward while hearing the Now We Are Free part

[@laceykanda995]

5/10 for the original Gladiator is absolutely insane 😅🤦🏾‍♀️!! You lost me there, Brian lol. I haven't even seen Gladiator 2, and even I know it won't deliver as well as the first film, but that's not to say that the movie won't be a great and fun watch!🫶🏾

[@pedrobarragan746]

Considering this year is light in terms of nominees, do you see the Best Picture nomination count turning into 9 or 8 like it did during the 2010’s? I’m still surprised some are saying September 5 is a lock.

[@branagain]

I’m going to see this regardless, but I wish Ridley Scott would win an Oscar.

[@FaydOgolon]

I saw "Gladiator" when it first came out. I was a big fan of Ridley Scott and I had been following Russell Crowe's career since "Proof" in 1992. I was rooting for him to win the Oscar for "The Insider." I found "Gladiator" very entertaining and was happy that it would boost Crowe to stardom. But I never expected it to get nominated in any of the major categories, and I don't think Crowe and Scott were expecting that, either. But yeah, "Gladiator II" does feel like Scott is hoping to strike Oscar gold this time.

[@cristianacevedo178]

We can all agree that Paul Mescal in a skirt >>>>>>>

[@marrmart7690]

Thank you about review 💛💛💛

[@user-CatherineDodd]

Gladiator ll movie was good but not great. It was entertaining to watch. I enjoyed the over the top production design and visual effects.

[@Creatch829]

Gladiator was Ridley Scott's masterpiece. The acting, the cinematography, the score were all out of this world. G2 was good, but had none of the gravitas of the original.

[@IaMD.B.]

Oh my god! I'm not the only one!

[@kotch35]

Loved the first Gladiator. Really disliked Gladiator 2. The story was a mess and the editing was weird. It never grabbed me emotionally and by the end I was glad it was over. The productions design was great, though.

[@iamsoverybored878]

I recommend the Spartacus TV show it takes a couple of episodes to get going, but it's worth it.

[@mihohomundo]

I think the script didn't give Mescal more material to really stand out

[@jehaustin]

I left satisfied with this movie, but I love the original. For me the original worked best because of Russell Crowe. That was peak Russell Crowe with his star power and charisma. Denzel Washington you can tell was definitely having a ball in this movie. My biggest downside was two performances in the sequel. Paul Mescal just didn’t have the gravitas to carry this type of movie and Pedro Pascal is too contemporary looking. I was glad I saw the movie but outside of technical merits and Denzel, Washington I don’t see it getting far at the Oscars

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I want to go see this Thursday I believe.....

[@imanea7344]

I love the first Gladiator and Russell Crowe is fantastic in it. I was bored & tired at the movie theater watching Gladiator 2 BUT I enjoyed Denzel Washington & Pedro Pascal. I did not care for Paul Mescal 👏🏻 I didn’t connect with his character at all!! 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@kristineh1601]

I agree with most of your thoughts on the sequel. However, I’m very sad to hear your thoughts on the first as it’s one of my all time favorites. Hopefully, you become as emotionally invested as I am in 2030. 😂

[@giovannifrancisetti5269]

Agree the first Gladiator is magical,a classic for all ages.

[@USER.EXE.YOUTUBE]

Do one for Ben Hur come on Brian don't disappoint us,11 Oscars for most win Oscar history tied with other 2 movies.

[@tmxo01]

Honestly 50/50 at this point on if it will make it to Best Picture. From the entire cast, Denzel is the only one I can see getting nominated, but not winning.

[@ArtByDesign80]

4:05 100% that “animal” scene was strange!

[@RhaegarTargaryen1st]

I loved that Gladiator I won the Golden Globe just for Elizabeth Taylor's presentation. 😂

[@elijah0208]

Going into this i expected at least a little bit of lgbt representation, which was existent in said time period and was historically accurate. But that unfortunately got substituted with faith, religion and god discussions aspects, that r non existent to this day, and never will be! So that was disappointing! But still i liked the sequel and i think it was a very good movie. Hopefully some nuances will be fixed in the third movie, whenever that comes around

[@petergrossi6605]

I liked gladiator 2 a lot

[@Dim4323]

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED! and yeah the original is the iconic best movie this one will get best visuals and costumes.

[@shaunfisher7784]

With all the hype surrounding Gladiator 2, I felt very underwhelmed by the movie. The movie seemed rushed, the screenplay weak and the acting mediocre. Very disappointed if I'm being honest.

[@joannecava2418]

Sorry Brian - disagree with you on this one - though it was just “ok” - Gladiator 1 was sooooooooooo much better

[@ChubbyChecker182]

What accent was Paul Mescal trying to do ? It sounded like a serious Roger Moore / or Richard Burton... didnt work for me, his performance was okay, but his speeches lacked impact.

[@chamindujanith6337]

He sounded Irish all the time to me

[@bilaalbadurdeen2733]

Gladiator 2 was Amazing 🔥

[@notmytruthTHEtruth]

Did you the controversy of how they completely removed the Palestinian actress' scenes?

[@michalh.1942]

I still haven't seen it but it is totally clear that Ridley Scott is way too old, bit arrogant and senile. Ridley is spitting 1 movie per year, for sure he is surrounded by so many professionals that make sure his movies look good and are serviceable but most of the time it is clear there is no heart in his late movies. Ridley thinks it is just enough to give us his formula which is usually well executed - and yes the movies can feel like 7/10 but most of them, just not original or exciting... it would be better if he would work more on something meaningful if he wants to keep a good name as a director no matter how legendary he is/was. I will watch this movie at some point but totally not rushing :P (especially after seeing those monkeys and colloseum filled with water !!! )

[@SceneTalk]

From a gay movie critic to another gay movie critic i have a question x3 May i design your Thumbnails for free? :3 i wont charge anything ever, in just would love to design your stuff

[@theDrzhivargo]

maximus maximus maximus maximus

[@jenniferlevi]

Paul Mescal's profile was a paid actor. I feel like his nose was the only reason he was cast, his performance was okay but those profile shots were the real story behind his character lol!

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

😏👍👍👍👍👍👍😊🍁 Ridley Scott The Master! ✊😆👊🍁

[@amparonarbona5142]

Why doesn’t Baftas like Denzel? Can someone explain that to me?

[@mainzergirl9610]

One of the greatest actors of the last 50 yrs.

[@joelanthonylim6792]

Denzel has never been nominated for a BAFTA, even for his best roles. BAFTAs have historically been favoring domestic and/or white winners unless it's a sweeper like Will Smith, Rami Malek, DaVine Joy Randolph, Viola Davis etc

[@chamindujanith6337]

​@@joelanthonylim6792Bizzarely enough Sidney Poitier was nominated at the BAFTA's 6 times compared to only 2 times at the Academy Awards

[@nafischowdhury7375]

you're delusional if you think it's still getting into best picture after the mixed public reaction. it's got B in cinemascore which is pretty underwhelming for a blockbuster like this.

[@paulnelson7525]

Maybe I will go see this one. The first one I was bored out of my mind and fell asleep. Sequels usually are just a money grab so who knows?

[@staslonskiy7975]

the sequel is pretty much a rehash of the first one so it likely bore you again

[@berkcansevgi2714]

glad, this isnt voting for the oscars

[@KhooHockLeong]

More buoyancy cam br obtained from Paul Mascal if he ean am up with people who are more fiery or bubby in an active sort of way Denzel ashigton and him add double dosages of seriousness.

[@zippyfinleyadventures]

Let's see the objections for this film : two dimwitted mental emperors, pedro pascal is pointless to the story, paul mescal is there, Denzel's new york accent, Denzel fighting a guy half his age for no reason. It was sadly lackluster forgettable twaddle mate and a cheap imitation.

[@delia88209]

Gladiator 2 is good. It has great action scenes. Denzel Washington was fun to see. Love Pedro Pescal and Paul Mescal but it dragged when there was no action. It was good and it definitely set up for another movie. I didn’t like the ending. It was good. Will I watch it again, maybe when it comes on streaming

[@Jay-mh3cp]

Did you just say better than the first ? 😂😂😂😂

[@fob1xxl]

PERSONNALY, I NEVER LIKED 1 ! THE "ONLY" GLADIATOR MOVIES "EVER REALLY GOOD" WERE WITH RICHARD BURTON, KIRK DOUGLAS AND VICTOR MATURE. THE REST ALL PALE IN COMPARISON !

[@vincentjames7210]

Ooof

[@jasonfamilia6479]

Nah bruh this is one of the worst films of cinema history and a completely disgraceful to the original 2000 film

[@teastrum]

I think, this is the best movie of the year

[@shadysorkin9214]

I thought it was pretty meh. I never cared what happened to any of the characters. I cared a lot about Maximus from the original movie, so I guess this one just didn't work for me.

[@nafischowdhury7375]

watch more movies please.

[@teastrum]

@nafischowdhury7375 yeah. For instance, "movie 43" had an incredible cast

[@nafischowdhury7375]

@@teastrum you really thought you ate.

[@simplyjustfun6657]

0:33 It should have been Almost Famous 🫠

[@pascalmanuel3]

How wasn't it even nominated?