Gladiator II
Learic Life

Review by Learic Life

Gladiator II 2024

★★★★½

Watched 27 Nov 2024

Epic spectacle shows yet again how phenomenal of a filmmaker Ridley Scott still is even this late into his career, with an awe-inspiring vision executed with focus and precision.  The fact that he was able to make this sequel feel fresh and new and not obligatory and tacked-on (ummm….Beetlejuice Beetlejuice?) is a testament to his cinematic sensibilities, historical awareness, storytelling ability, and a proper appreciation for scope, balance, and entertainment.  Mescal crushes it in a star-making turn (those were big shoes to fill and he rose to the occasion), Pascale brought a lot of depth to his role, and Denzel deserves an Oscar nom in one of his most nuanced performances.
         An allegory on greed and corruption, political aloofness and disconnectedness, and a plea to both sides to put aside their differences and embrace their shared humanity while recognizing the manipulative forces that preside over the terrain.

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