I originally thought 'Gladiator 2' would be a sentimental revenge film, but after watching it, it lacks sentimentality and is just a movie centered around 'revenge'.
It revolves around two kinds of revenge: one is Lucius (played by Paul Mescal) seeking vengeance for his wife who died in the battles of Rome, and the other is the despicable businessman Marcellinus (played by Denzel Washington), who, having been a slave since childhood, is determined to take control of Rome.
We all know Lucius is the son of Maximus and Lucilla from 'Gladiator', so as a sequel to 'Gladiator', we certainly hope the storyline focuses on Lucius. However, 'Gladiator 2' disappointed me, as it leans more towards Marcellinus's detailed planning to overthrow Rome, turning Lucius from the protagonist into Marcellinus's stumbling block.
Although Lucius's return to Rome aligns with my vision—vengeance, kinship, betrayal, forgiveness, legacy, unity—it is obvious that it lacks a sentimental flavor. Ridley Scott's handling of Lucius's storyline is not nuanced enough and feels more like cold food forcefully shoved into our mouths.
I think 'Gladiator 2' should have extended and slowed down Lucius's storyline, allowing him to explore his relationship with Maximus on his own rather than relying on others' accounts. It should also show him reconciling with his mother after years of separation, using various elements from 'Gladiator' to express the symbolism of legacy. 'Gladiator 2' does have some echoing visuals, but they are rare, repeated multiple times, and inserted too clumsily, resulting in a lack of emotional tension.
The soundtrack is also a major issue. While 'Gladiator 2' has a grand and imposing soundtrack, it is too heavy-handed; when it needs to be soft, it falls short, lacking the poetic resonance of the original 'Gladiator'.
However, setting aside the narrative shortcomings, 'Gladiator 2' indeed features more magnificent battlefields and spectacular fight scenes than 'Gladiator', especially presenting the grandeur of the Roman Colosseum, immersing viewers in the bloodthirsty and brutal arena.
Many people say the only highlight of 'Gladiator 2' is Denzel Washington's acting, and I cannot argue with that. You cannot resist Denzel Washington's charm; however, I must clarify that Denzel Washington can constantly exude his charisma because his storyline is very clear, and he has a significant share of screen time.
I believe if Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal had a stage like Denzel Washington's, they could still be compared to him, especially since they are at a disadvantage. Their heroic figures remain memorable.