From the blood-soaked sands of the Colosseum to the hushed halls of the Senate, a shadow looms large over the Roman Empire. It’s not the specter of barbarian hordes, but something far more insidious: a sequel. Ridley Scott returns to the world of gladiators and emperors, but is this triumphant return, or a tragic stumble?
On this episode of The Film Senate, Pete, Steve, Justin, and Tommy grapple with the cinematic beast that is Gladiator 2. The whispers started early – Denzel Washington, an acting titan, seemingly adrift in a sea of CGI sharks and misplaced baboons. Could this truly be the legacy of Maximus Decimus Meridius?
Join us as we whack away at the film’s triumphs and failures, exploring the delicate balance between historical epic and over-the-top spectacle. We’ll certainly talk performances, from Paul Mescal’s stoic Lucius to Denzel’s enigmatic Senate leader, a man seemingly battling his own wardrobe as much as the forces of corruption. And along the way, we’ll ponder the questionable editing choices, the abrupt cutaways, the lingering shots of… two emaciated dogs?
Is Gladiator 2 a worthy successor to the throne, or a pretender destined for the thumbs down? Enter the arena and decide for yourself. But be warned, you may never look at a baboon the same way again. TWO EMPERORS!
Film Sundries
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- Theatrical trailer
- Letterboxd
