Bronze - Gladiator II
Oscar Tidbit: Nominated for Best Costume Design in 2025 Oscars but will most likely lose to Wicked. Other strong contenders include A Complete Unknown, Conclave, and Nosferatu.
Gladiator II was just entertaining enough to hold my full attention—enough story to avoid being boring but still following a predictable "slave to warrior to legend" trajectory. It echoes the original Gladiator in many ways. The standout, unsurprisingly, was Denzel Washington. His performance was so compelling that you almost wish the entire film revolved around him instead of the actual lead. He brings gravitas and effortless charisma, reminding us why he's one of the greatest actors of our time.
The action sequences were undeniably wild. Yes, they were drenched in CGI—baboons, rhinos, sharks, oh my!—but I have to admit, I loved every second of the madness. It felt chaotic, excessive, and completely over-the-top in a way that somehow worked. Returning to the Colosseum of Rome 16 years later was a surreal experience, and re-watching the original beforehand made the comparison inevitable. Despite the critiques, I think Gladiator II held its own. Some argue that it lacked the tragedy of the first film—there’s no murdered wife and child fueling the protagonist’s rage, no unsettling incestuous subtext.
Personally, I found the political intrigue of Gladiator II more layered. The Shakespearean-like power struggle, with the creepy brotherly dynamic and Macrinus pulling the strings in the background, gave the story an interesting edge. That being said, comparing Russell Crowe’s Maximus to Paul Mescal’s Lucius is cruel—who could possibly live up to Maximus? Mescal is an incredible actor, but this wasn’t my favorite role for him. He did look fantastic and hot!
Of course, Ridley Scott knows how to craft a visually stunning epic. The cinematography, sound editing, and music all elevate the film into something grand and immersive. The spectacle is undeniable. It’s a thrilling, beautifully crafted, and occasionally ridiculous sequel that doesn’t quite reach the mythic status of the original—but it’s still a hell of a ride. Will I watch it again? Probably. Will it be endlessly debated? Absolutely. In the end, maybe that’s exactly what Ridley Scott intended.
