Gladiator, the cartoon | The Manila Times

Part of the fun of watching a movie with friends is often the animated discussion you have afterwards. I can’t write this piece on “Gladiator II” without sharing some of their comments on the movie — because I have to say, I was entertained by our exchange. (Expect minor spoilers).



My friend Vanessa pretty much called this, “the sequel no one asked for.” The first “Gladiator” movie came out in 2000 and won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2001. When I saw the trailer for this one, the feel was so different, it reminded me more of the 2004 Pepsi ad that put Britney Spears, Pink and Beyonce in a Colosseum singing “We Will Rock You.”

I wondered, “Did Ridley Scott even direct this sequel?” Apparently, he did.



The story takes place sixteen years after the death of Marcus Aurelius. Rome is ruled by inept and decadent twin emperors. Gladiatorial games are still the rage. Except now we have CGI feral hairless dog-baboons, rhinos and at one point even sharks in the arena. To the point where Vanessa called the movie, “Sharknado: Rome.” I found this all to be cartoonish, and it detracts from efforts to take the movie seriously.



There was one animal that wasn’t computer generated and that was Dondas, the monkey, who was eventually appointed First Consul of Rome. I could get on board with this as I’ve seen the human race capable of electing and appointing worse to positions of power. All hail Dondas.



The script could have been better for its two leads.

Paul Mescal, the Irish indie film sensation (“Aftersun,” “All of Us Strangers”) works with a character who has a shift in choices midway through the film that seems sudden.

Pedro Pascal plays a general, who conquers territory for the twins. He’s apparently liked by the masses and valued by the leadership, yet he had such a sad quality about him which I didn’t feel was quite fitting. He could have used some swagger. Denzel Washington seemed like he was having the most fun as the villain.



Nevertheless, I was somewhat amused but I would not put this in the same category at all as its predecessor. My regular viewing companion, Hank, says the last time a sequel to a decades-old movie proved successful, it was in 2022 for “Top Gun: Maverick.” Go for a little bit of swords, sandals and spectacle but don’t expect the gravitas of the first “Gladiator.”



Thankfully, Paul Mescal has some interesting projects lined up. He’ll be playing William Shakespeare in Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet” along with other acting greats Jessie Buckley and Emily Watson (who I interviewed recently for “Dune: Prophecy”) and he’ll be in “The History of Sound” with Josh O’Connor. He’s also in “advanced talks” to work on a post-apocalyptic adaptation called “The Dog Stars,” with Ridley Scott again.



Pedro Pascal has projects with Willem Dafoe, Austin Butler, Emma Stone and he’ll be working with “Past Lives” director Celine Song. On top of that, he’s got Marvel and Star Wars work that will keep him busy for many, many years. He’ll be reunited with Joseph Quinn (Emperor Geta) in the highly anticipated “Fantastic Four: First Steps.”



As for award winning Russell Crowe, who was Maximus Decimus Meridius, the OG Gladiator, you’ll find him in the upcoming “Kraven: The Hunter” along with Fred Hechinger (Emperor Caracalla).


kkk”Gladiator II” opened last Wednesday in Cinemas and at the IMAX. I also made an error in last week’s column, “Dune: Prophecy” premiered on Max in the Philippines on November 19 (not the 18).