“Gladiator 2” – critics' reactions after the first screening

The tireless 87-year-old creator of “Gladiator II”, Ridley Scott, must have a sense of a job well done, since even before the premiere of the second part of the great hit from 2000, he is talking loudly about “Gladiator III”. This is great news, because until recently, few people believed in the success of a film costing $300 million. On the contrary, after the trailer was revealed, it was expected to be a spectacular flop. Meanwhile, the first public screening of the film in Los Angeles, intended only for the “chosen”, caused almost euphoria. “What a picture! An epic-Shakespearean tale of hope, futility and power in a crumbling system. And Denzel Washington in a gripping, Machiavellian performance,” writes Griffin Schiller, critic of “The Playlist.”

Meanwhile, Variety and Forbes critic Simon Thompson says: “'Gladiator II' serves up the richest feast of epic action scenes, telling a story of shameless betrayal. Blending in style with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid all-star cast with great verve. Denzel Washington “Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger show us the power of the acting collective.”

Most comments are in a similar tone, as the producers did not allow for larger, detailed reviews, reserving them until the film's world premiere, which is scheduled for November 12. The film will be released in UK cinemas on that day.

The elderly filmmaker's recent productions – primarily “Napoleon” with Joaquin Phoenix and the earlier “The Last Chase” with Adam Driver – were received coldly. The first one could even be said to have turned out to be a failure, because a year after the film's premiere, the costs of its production were recouped with great difficulty, and critics “crushed” Ridley Scott, sending him to… retirement.

However, the director has no intention of putting the camera down and has just proven that when it comes to great spectacles, he remains the undisputed champion. At least that's what the few critics and members of film associations who watched “Gladiator II” said last weekend.

“This is Ridley Scott's best film since 'The Martian'. A huge, bloody and thrilling spectacle that builds on the legacy of the original. The picture delights with plenty of epic battles. Paul Mescal shines, but it's Denzel Washington who looks like he's having the most fun here,” notes a member Critic Choice, Scott Menzel. In his opinion, Scott “created a total spectacle with a pulsating pace.”

“Gladiator II”, directed by Ridley Scott, makes the protagonist of the film the adult Lucius (Paul Mescal), the grandson of Marcus Aurelius (in the original film, the latter was played by the late Richard Harris). Recall that as a child, Lucius witnessed the death of Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the hands of his uncle Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).

While Lucius is fighting in the war, his wife and adoptive mother are killed. The young man is filled with revenge and decides to travel to Rome to avenge his loved ones, which vividly reminds us of the story of Maximus known from the first film. Lucius also returns as a gladiator seeking revenge, dreaming of restoring the greatness of Rome and its people.

Ridley Scott admits that he decided to continue “Gladiator” when he saw Paul Mescal in the famous series “Normal People”, which became the beginning of his brilliant career. When the young actor delighted the world with his performance in the psychological drama “Aftersun”, for which he received a nomination Oscarhe had already signed a contract for the role of Lucius.

Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, whose characters, as we know, died at the end of “Gladiator”, will not return, even though Crowe tried to persuade the director to add the role of “Maximus's twin brother”. The film's cast includes the reliable Pedro Pascal in the important role of Marcus Acacius. Two actors from the previous film will also appear in the film: Connie Nielsen, who plays the beautiful Lucilla, and Derek Jacobi, who plays Tiberius Gracchus. In addition, we will see, among others: Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Matt Lucas and May Calamawy.

The film was shot in London, Ouarzazate (Morocco) and above all on Malta. The budget of $310 million makes “Gladiator II” one of the most expensive films in cinema history to date.

The film will hit theaters in America later than in Europe, only on Thanksgiving Day, November 28. Its creators hope that it will more than surpass the five-Oscar-winning film from 2000, which grossed over $465 million worldwide. However, it cost three times less than the sequel, “only” $103 million.

Since everyone is writing most about Denzel Washington's outstanding role, let's reveal a little more. The actor who will play Macrinus, an arms dealer, plays an extremely brutal character. Macrinus is an opportunistic and ruthless man for whom profit is the most important thing. And this time, Ridley Scott treats historical records quite freely, because in fact Macrinus was the prefect of the praetorians and was supposed to kill Emperor Caracalla in 217 AD. Raised to the Roman throne by his subordinate troops, he reigned for only a year. It's a bit different in the movie.

Critics, who are forbidden from revealing plot details, insist that Denzel steals every scene he appears in. What's more, they are already predicting a third Oscar for the actor. Off Screen Central's Jillian Chilingerian puts it bluntly: “Engrave Denzel Washington's name on the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Macrinus at this point. It'll be hard to top him.”

The actor himself jokes: “I just put on the dress, then put on all these rings and start going crazy. Macrinus is a monster. He tries to take advantage of everyone. He would use his mother, his own children. He has already destroyed his soul, so he has nothing left. He made a pact with the devil.”

Meanwhile, pleased with the first enthusiastic reactions, Ridley Scott dreams of his “Gladiator” becoming a trilogy. “(…) I lit the fuse… The finale of 'Gladiator II' is reminiscent of 'The Godfather', where Michael Corleone ends up in a position he didn't want and wonders: 'what now, father, what should I do?'” Next video So it will tell about a man who doesn't want to be where he is,” the director announces.

“Gladiator II” will hit Polish cinemas on November 15.