Gladiator II (2024)

November 19, 2024 1:29 PM

After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.
posted by TheophileEscargot (10 comments total)

So, uh. Was it good?
posted by hototogisu at 8:09 PM on November 19

I was entertained. It's a good movie, excellent action sequences and great effects. But it follows the story beats of the first one pretty closely so it feels a bit of a retread. It's not like an Aliens or Godfather Part 2, a sequel that takes the first one forward.

I wasn't expecting historical accuracy, but I found I couldn't suspend disbelief in the ending which reaches Inglourious Basterds levels. Maybe after restoring the Roman Republic in 217AD Lucius could have time travelled to the 20th century and chopped Hitler's head off with sword-scissors?
posted by TheophileEscargot at 9:39 PM on November 19

I still would have liked to have seen the crazeballs Nick Cave take on a sequel.
posted by drewbage1847 at 10:45 PM on November 19 [5 favorites]

The Nick Cave script sounds amazing but I can't imagine "Gladiator II: Christ Killer" ever being made by a studio.

I'm disappointed that it seems no-one has ever tried making a movie from the sci-fi classic novel "The Legion of Time" by Jack Williamson, which has a team of elite warriors recruited from across history by a time-traveller to fight a battle in the far future. That could make such a great action movie.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 2:21 AM on November 20 [2 favorites]

I'll not be catching this in the theater, but reviews have been somewhat middling. I think it really depends on what you go in expecting. I had the hardest time trying to figure the plot out from the trailers, which I felt was a bad sign. I don't need all the beats, mind you, I just was looking for a "Who is doing what and why now again?"

I'm disappointed that it seems no-one has ever tried making a movie from the sci-fi classic novel "The Legion of Time" by Jack Williamson, which has a team of elite warriors recruited from across history by a time-traveller to fight a battle in the far future. That could make such a great action movie.

We got a movie about time travelers gathering significant people throughout history for a school presentation, we gotta be happy with that.
posted by Atreides at 6:51 AM on November 20 [4 favorites]

The most important question (for me): is Pedro Pascal shirtless at all?
posted by Kitteh at 7:06 AM on November 20

I don't remember Pedro Pascal having his shirt off. Paul Mescal does for quite a while though, and he's definitely been working out since All Of Us Strangers.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 7:12 AM on November 20 [1 favorite]

Thx. I mean, I just like looking at Pascal whether or not he has his kit on.
posted by Kitteh at 7:23 AM on November 20

I will go see this movie for my imaginary boyfriend Pedro Pascal, shirtless or not.
posted by maddieD at 9:10 AM on November 20 [1 favorite]

maddieD, QFT
posted by Kitteh at 9:21 AM on November 20