Rod and Karen review the action sequel “Gladiator II.” They also discuss some movie trailers.
Spoiled Reviews: (Protected Content)
SMR 518: Gladiator 2
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There’s only one lens through which I enjoyed this movie. Since listening to Ridley Scott defend Trump’s Tax Cut during his first term (it was on an interview via Hollywood Reporter or Variety, he claimed that artists needed that tax cut to tell more stories.) I feel like Gladiator II was what he had in mind that day. It felt a very GOP light rendition to a revolution. Kinda like the Pepsi commercial with the Kardashian during BLM. Under that lens, the movie looked magnificent. Outside of that, film was basic af and I wished that I had seen Moana 2 instead. Denzel was really the best thing and I’m with Karen on his hand getting cut, I bursted out laughing. They really wasted Pedro Pascal. Lucius ain’t it, from the first battle I was like you’re a questionable leader, got that black king captured. The most hilarious and at same time impressive was sharks in the arena. I was like fuck outta here Ridley!
Ya’ll covered it all in the review. That last battle was confirmation bout Ridley Scott being GOP lite aka libertarian for me. Had me thinking that everyone back then had a megaphone in their mouth. Thumbs down Ridley (keep hiring Black and Latino actors tho).
You know a high-profile sequel’s in trouble, if you can’t remember the point of Pedro Pascal, Fred Hechinger & Joseph Quinn’s involvement here. Denzel Washington’s character, as well, but he simply gets by on his sheer enthusiasms & range.
I love Paul Mescal, having seen Aftersun & All of Us Strangers (think it’s still on Hulu. Great film, but it’s a tearjerker), but I couldn’t give two fucks about him being the son of Maximus & the way that third act just shoehorned him being the “prince” of Rome, is honestly laughable. It’s just a shame that this is the best that Gladiator II could offer, even if I don’t necessarily hate it. Yes, Rod, Paul needs more range in this genre, if he wants to do action. Great drama actor but Eeyore would’ve cooked this role, I know it.
It looks good (same cinematographer from Gladiator numero uno, John Mathieson, who also did Multiverse of Madness, by the way), fights are good (if not as good as the first one) & Ridley Scott can still film, despite being an old, stuck-in-his-way ass 87 year-old. It’s just a shame that, neither he nor his writers are interested in the stories. The Martian & The Last Duel rocked, but those films are over 3+ years old now & Scott’s just going through his BS.
Damn shame what happened to that Versace at the end & yes, a cooking-with-gas, Denzel. (I wanted to see Denzel kiss a man. Paramount’s some cowards for that)
I won’t remember this after the weekend. Fucking Wicked is better & that shit’s longer than Gladiator.
Peace, y’all.