Gladiator 2 is entertainment that serves as a stage for Denzel Washington to shine

Ridley Scott promised: he won’t stop filming. The 86-year-old filmmaker, who has released one film after another in recent years, is one of the most prolific in Hollywood among those who already have an established career. In 2021, it launched The Last Duel and Gucci Housefollowed by Napoleonin 2023, and now Gladiator 2a project that took several decades to happen and that finally sees the light of day — or the darkness of movie theaters.

Since the success of the first Gladiatorin 2000, Ridley Scott wanted to continue this story and make it another franchise, as had already happened with other works in his vast filmography, such as Alien and Blade Runner. However, disagreements and disagreements between producers, Russell Crowe— star of the first film — and the screenwriters were postponing the project, which opens in theaters more than two decades later, continuing the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Crowe) from the figure of his heir, Luciuslived by Paul Mescal (Aftersun and Normal People).

Afterwards, 25 years have passed since Lucius witnessed the death of Maximus (Crowe) by the hands of his uncle (Joaquin Phoenix, Joker: Delirium for Two). As an adult, after a bloody battle led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us), his home and the honor of his people are taken away by tyrannical emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn, Stranger Things) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger, The White Lotus), who rule the Roman Empire with an iron fist.

After being considered a slave of the Empire, Lucius is bought by the mysterious Macrinus (Denzel Washington, The Protector) with the purpose of making him a gladiator. Fighting for your freedom and your legacy, you will be left with Lucius follow the steps of Maximus to restore Rome’s lost glory.

There is a big problem in Gladiator 2which is the way in which characters have initial purposes, but soon abandon them for pure script convenience. Himself Lucius is one of those. If he initially becomes a gladiator with a thirst for revenge against Acaciuswhen both are face to face, two or three lines of script are enough to soften the young man’s heart in a typical Mexican soap opera scene.

The highlight ends up being Denzel Washingtonwhich shines in the film. Your character, Macrinusis a mysterious man, involved with politics and gladiator fights, who always shows himself to be on top of the tricks and strategies promoted by both the high Roman Empire and his pupil Lucius — which does not show tenderness for its buyer.

It’s delicious to notice Denzel having fun playing a character who gradually reveals himself to be cunning; his friendly smile, for example, carries a mischief that betrays his duality. Macrinus it is so necessary to Gladiator 2that, when he is not on the scene – fortunately, there are few times -, the consequences of his power plans can still be seen being put into practice. He’s like that character in a soap opera that everyone should hate, but ends up being acclaimed for carrying on his shoulders a plot that isn’t surprising as a story.

It is also worth highlighting how Ridley Scott maximized Gladiator not only in its budget, which could exceed the mark of more than US$300 million, but in scenarios and action. The film clearly loses the more epic and philosophical tone of the 2000 film and takes on a megalomaniacal proposal of blockbuster typical of today’s productions, thanks to the ease of CGI.

Therefore, battles in a Colosseum with sharks, rhinos and even angry baboons become possible and appear as entertainment not only for those present in the seats of the Roman building, but also for us, spectators, sitting in the seats of the cinema.

Assuming this tone of continuity and overproduction, we can say that Ridley Scott gives himself the go-ahead to embark on another of his films in the franchise wave. Now, if Gladiator 2 is admittedly a sequel with intentions of expanding the story of Lucius and his legacy as heir to Maximuseven with a third film in sight, why not believe that the story of the character of Mezcal — and perhaps even others — will it gain new chapters and productions?

Just take Blade Runner as an example, there is already a Prime Video series planned to happen. We can only wait for the tireless man’s next plans Ridley Scott — and that they don’t take another 24 years to come to fruition.

Rolling Stone Brazil film special

Cinema is the theme of the new printed special from Rolling Stone Brazil. In a magazine dedicated to lovers of the seventh art, we interviewed Francis Ford Coppolawho turns 85 amid the release of his new film, Megalopolisa bold and million-dollar undertaking financed by himself.

Unshakable in the face of controversial reactions to the novelty, which took around 40 years to get off the ground, the filmmaker defends the cinema industry’s boldness in being creative and opens up, in plain Portuguese, about Brazil’s influence in his new film: “Alegria” .

The special also features conversations with Walter Salles, Fernanda Torres and Selton Mello on I’m Still Herea chat about soundtracks with maestro João Carlos Martins, an exclusive list with the 100 best films in history (50 national, 50 international), another list with the 101 greatest soundtracks in the history of cinema, a warm-up for the Oscars 2025 and the launch radar for Globoplay, Globo Filmes, O2 Play and O2 Filmes for the coming months.

The movie special Rolling Stone Brazil It is now available on newsstands, but can also be purchased at the Perfil publisher’s store for R$29.90. Check it out:

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