Film Review: Gladiator II

Back in the third century, Rome was the heart of the vast Roman Empire, and its Colosseum was the heart of the city.That’s where the rich, poor and otherwise gathered for events. Gladiator fights. Contests between man and beasts. Executions. Even nautical battles, when they’d flood the floor of the world’s largest amphitheater with water. This iconic monument, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, provides the canvas for this gripping mixture of history and fabrication. The sequel to 2001’s Oscar®-winning film Gladiator.David Scarpa’s (Napoleón) script, with a story by Peter Craig and some original characters by David Franzoni, provides a strong foundation for the well-structured story: A young warrior, Lucius (Paul Mescal, Aftersun), his mentor Jubartha (Peter Mensah, Avatar), wife Arishat (Yuval Gonen) and other soldiers in Numida, North Africa prepare for battle. As the Roman General Marcus Acacius’ (Pedro Pascal, Narcos) army invades their homeland, they fight bravely. Few survive the carnage. Those who do are herded to Rome. Lucius is among the new slaves. He’s bitter, seething with thoughts of revenge and despises the Romans: “They have no land except the land they stole.”Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.At the Colosseum and its grounds,...