I'd love to see a Ridley Scott ranking, he's such an interesting Director because he has a perfect mixture of movies that were big hits, incredible, and then some movies that fall flat.
I'm glad you liked it, Austin! Technically Gladiator II really operates constantly on a very high level. The sound, visual effects and production design are great. What holds it back from being a very good movie for me is the writing and the pacing. It often feels like the same story like in the first movie but less competently put together. The performances are good across the board but Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal don't have the same magnetism as Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Denzel Washington is fantastic though and Joseph Quinn was much better than I expected! Overall it's a solid and mildly entertaining good time at the movies that could've used a tighter runtime in my opinion. 65%
@lastword8783 that's kinda impossible because the first is considered one of the best films of all time. You would never get a sequel to anything if that's what you ask for
Yeah we need a Ridley Scott list. Man's got some of the best works across genres like Alien, Blade Runner, Martian, American Gangster and of course, the first Gladiator but at the same time there quite a lot of duds. So maybe a top 10 Ridley Scott movie list, 'cause Top 5 is too short. Saw Gladiator II a few days back, 'cause it released in India a full weak earlier and I had a great time at the theatres. Love your reviews Austin. Keep at it. Would love for you to be a bit more active on Letterboxd tho😉
We have to also remember that Gladiator was improvising along as there was never a finalized script. So it was written as it went along during the production.
Don't compare it to the original cause we didn't know what to expect. Yes it won't be as good as the first one since we didn't know what to expect. But it's nice Ridley Scott make a second part. We needed this. Especially in imax.
80 is wild, it's 60 on a good day. Entertaining? Yeah kind off, a decent successor to the original? Yeah kind of, but it never surpasses decent and there's WAY too many things dragging it down such as the wierd messaging constantly trying to make rome look and feel un appealing and the strange pacing. Very strange movie. It almost feels like it was made on a first draft
Denzel would be having great time with such gray character, master of playing such roles, I'm not satisfied with lead casting, Paul mescal just doesn't give that aura of fighter in Greek period drama
If the original is a classical composition, this new one is punk rock. Nowhere near as emotional or well-written as the first entry, but man is it a blast the entire way through. I was entertained. Great review, AB!
Russel Crowe coming back as a zombie to conquer Rome would have been better than this. It has to be compared because it's a sequel and built off the first one. I was invested to see how it'd end but felt nothing watching it or how it finished. Oh well. Epic cast, poor story.
I have no interest in woke shit called Wicked. More lesbian witches like we saw in The Acolyte and Agatha All Along. Then House of the Dragon gave us repressed lesbianism between the two female leads. Give me Gladiator II! But I will have my expectations in check not expecting it to be better than the 2000 original which is one of my top favorite movies of all-time. Never forgot my first time watching Gladiator (2000). I missed out on it when it was in the theaters similar to Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, and The Lion King. I watched Gladiator on DVD when we barely got our first DVD player in early 2001. I was high as a kite. Took some Ecstasy. Then some peyote/mescaline with my eldest cousin who has enjoyed smoking weed since he was 14. I saw Pitch Black and Gladiator that same day. The first two movies I ever saw on DVD. Both were fantastic. First time I got to know Vin Diesel as Fast hadn’t come out yet and I don’t remember Vin at all in Saving Private Ryan. Gladiator instantly became one of my all-time favorites. I have a stepsister who hated Russell Crowe because of the Meg Ryan thing. And she ended up enjoying it. Classic 5-star movie next to Braveheart. I believe Gladiator II will be entertaining enough but not as legendary as the original. Ridley Scott is very sink or swim, feast or famine. But when he hits, he really hits.
I personally was disappointed. The opening few minutes was my favourite part of the movie, with a flashback of the first and the epic score. I had goosebumps. I thought this is going to be decent but I feel like modern film making is nothing as good as the original looked. The action scenes in this look like your watching a cartoon in comparison to how much more realistic the first one was. The CGI alone looked terrible and spoils everything. I felt alot of it was soulless and emotionless compared to the first. The original was captivating in every scene and didn't feel rushed overall. I know u shouldn't compare it too much but it's hard because the first one was a masterpiece and Russell crowe was just incredible in that character/role. 5/10 for me but still probably the best movie of 2024
I've just come back from a 2nd viewing and I enjoyed it more even more the second time (maybe as I stopped comparing it to the first the second time). Yes, it'll never better the first for me, which is an all timer for me, but I do really like this one. I really like Mescal's quiet intensity, which makes it more effective when he does let the rage out and I was invested in his journey through the film. He feels like a worthy successor to Maximus's legacy in this world. Denzel is awesome. Give him nominations. I do wish they didn't copy certain story beats the same as a the first, but I'll allow it because of hoe entertaining it is. There's also more conflicted emotions for me in certain scenes than the first, where you're also rooting for Maximus. The weakest thing for me was some of the CGI, particularly the early water shots, the baboons and the sharks. When the practical sets and environments are so good, these weaker CGI bits took me out of it.
Questions for a debate I’m having 1. Who is the main lead character in the Northman? 2. Does The Northman have a lead female character? 3. Who would you consider the main lead female in The Northman?
Loved Denzel in this…he was the MVP. Pascal should have been lead.
Whenever I saw Danzel in the trailer I bought a ticket. Worth it.
I'd love to see a Ridley Scott ranking, he's such an interesting Director because he has a perfect mixture of movies that were big hits, incredible, and then some movies that fall flat.
I'm glad you liked it, Austin! Technically Gladiator II really operates constantly on a very high level. The sound, visual effects and production design are great. What holds it back from being a very good movie for me is the writing and the pacing. It often feels like the same story like in the first movie but less competently put together. The performances are good across the board but Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal don't have the same magnetism as Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. Denzel Washington is fantastic though and Joseph Quinn was much better than I expected! Overall it's a solid and mildly entertaining good time at the movies that could've used a tighter runtime in my opinion. 65%
I really wouldn't compare it to the original, that ones a masterpiece and a sequel could never beat it
For sure, but it’s hard to avoid that!
@AustinBurke I get u
I dont think a sequel should be made unless the creators are very confident they can make something better or at least as good as original
@lastword8783 that's kinda impossible because the first is considered one of the best films of all time. You would never get a sequel to anything if that's what you ask for
So, were you entertained?!
I WAS! Lol
Seeing this tomorrow. Hopping on the train for the Ridley Scott ranking also.
Yeah we need a Ridley Scott list. Man's got some of the best works across genres like Alien, Blade Runner, Martian, American Gangster and of course, the first Gladiator but at the same time there quite a lot of duds. So maybe a top 10 Ridley Scott movie list, 'cause Top 5 is too short. Saw Gladiator II a few days back, 'cause it released in India a full weak earlier and I had a great time at the theatres. Love your reviews Austin. Keep at it. Would love for you to be a bit more active on Letterboxd tho😉
Sequels should be judged by the movies that came before.
I feel like this is an unnecessary sequel, but if you enjoyed it, I’ll give it a shot. It’s just not Gladiator without Russell Crowe and Hans Zimmer.
I’d love a Ridley Scott ranking
Another fantastic video! thank you
I mean at least it’s better than Russell Crowe coming back from the dead …..or is it lol .
Good point! Lol
Yes please to the Ridley Scott film rankings 👍🏼
We have to also remember that Gladiator was improvising along as there was never a finalized script. So it was written as it went along during the production.
An effective but flawed sequel...7/10
Don't compare it to the original cause we didn't know what to expect. Yes it won't be as good as the first one since we didn't know what to expect. But it's nice Ridley Scott make a second part. We needed this. Especially in imax.
80 is wild, it's 60 on a good day. Entertaining? Yeah kind off, a decent successor to the original? Yeah kind of, but it never surpasses decent and there's WAY too many things dragging it down such as the wierd messaging constantly trying to make rome look and feel un appealing and the strange pacing. Very strange movie. It almost feels like it was made on a first draft
It’s an 80 for me!
Denzel is fantastic in this film.
Denzel would be having great time with such gray character, master of playing such roles, I'm not satisfied with lead casting, Paul mescal just doesn't give that aura of fighter in Greek period drama
If the original is a classical composition, this new one is punk rock. Nowhere near as emotional or well-written as the first entry, but man is it a blast the entire way through. I was entertained. Great review, AB!
Love that comparison
Russel Crowe coming back as a zombie to conquer Rome would have been better than this. It has to be compared because it's a sequel and built off the first one. I was invested to see how it'd end but felt nothing watching it or how it finished. Oh well. Epic cast, poor story.
Is it better than the sequel to 300?
Superb❤
I love it ! ❤❤❤. Great action movie
I have no interest in woke shit called Wicked. More lesbian witches like we saw in The Acolyte and Agatha All Along. Then House of the Dragon gave us repressed lesbianism between the two female leads. Give me Gladiator II! But I will have my expectations in check not expecting it to be better than the 2000 original which is one of my top favorite movies of all-time.
Never forgot my first time watching Gladiator (2000). I missed out on it when it was in the theaters similar to Forrest Gump, Pulp Fiction, and The Lion King. I watched Gladiator on DVD when we barely got our first DVD player in early 2001. I was high as a kite. Took some Ecstasy. Then some peyote/mescaline with my eldest cousin who has enjoyed smoking weed since he was 14.
I saw Pitch Black and Gladiator that same day. The first two movies I ever saw on DVD. Both were fantastic. First time I got to know Vin Diesel as Fast hadn’t come out yet and I don’t remember Vin at all in Saving Private Ryan. Gladiator instantly became one of my all-time favorites. I have a stepsister who hated Russell Crowe because of the Meg Ryan thing. And she ended up enjoying it. Classic 5-star movie next to Braveheart.
I believe Gladiator II will be entertaining enough but not as legendary as the original. Ridley Scott is very sink or swim, feast or famine. But when he hits, he really hits.
Force awakens - yep
I was "whelmed"
Ed Sheeran and Prince Harry were standouts
ROMEOPOLIS....or Rome Vice
Can’t wait to not watch it 😊
Good for you
Cool? Idk what I’m supposed to say to that lol
Nice nipples
Thank you
I personally was disappointed. The opening few minutes was my favourite part of the movie, with a flashback of the first and the epic score. I had goosebumps. I thought this is going to be decent but I feel like modern film making is nothing as good as the original looked. The action scenes in this look like your watching a cartoon in comparison to how much more realistic the first one was. The CGI alone looked terrible and spoils everything. I felt alot of it was soulless and emotionless compared to the first. The original was captivating in every scene and didn't feel rushed overall. I know u shouldn't compare it too much but it's hard because the first one was a masterpiece and Russell crowe was just incredible in that character/role. 5/10 for me but still probably the best movie of 2024
Kanguva better
It was awful, they do woke it up for a modern-day audience and some of the BS in this movie is laughable.
all hail Dondas
Its was a terrible B movie, evry1 phoned it in, what a waste of time, what a disgrace to movie making!!
I've just come back from a 2nd viewing and I enjoyed it more even more the second time (maybe as I stopped comparing it to the first the second time). Yes, it'll never better the first for me, which is an all timer for me, but I do really like this one. I really like Mescal's quiet intensity, which makes it more effective when he does let the rage out and I was invested in his journey through the film. He feels like a worthy successor to Maximus's legacy in this world. Denzel is awesome. Give him nominations. I do wish they didn't copy certain story beats the same as a the first, but I'll allow it because of hoe entertaining it is. There's also more conflicted emotions for me in certain scenes than the first, where you're also rooting for Maximus. The weakest thing for me was some of the CGI, particularly the early water shots, the baboons and the sharks. When the practical sets and environments are so good, these weaker CGI bits took me out of it.
Do the ranking
Ranking of what two movies 😂
Questions for a debate I’m having
1. Who is the main lead character in the Northman?
2. Does The Northman have a lead female character?
3. Who would you consider the main lead female in The Northman?
I really like it. 8/10