#just more evidence to persuade people to stop making remakes and sequels.

[naneki-maid]

my favorite thing about gladiator (2000) is that no matter what scene is playing, throughout the entirety of the film, you never forget why Maximus is doing what he’s doing. it’s a story about tyranny and corruption, and even while we focus on the emperor and the horrors of the ring, Maximus’ fight for justice cannot be erased. Behind every scene is the ghost of his murdered wife and son and they are truly the heart of the story. and that’s something that I couldn’t help but feel was absent from the second film.

something just felt so off. maybe im just being too critical because of my love for the first film but I felt there was no heart in the sequel. the first battle introducing Lucius and his loss was beautiful but not even the cgi of the ships/sea could make up for how rushed it felt. there were times where I forgot about Lucius altogether. the emperor twins didn’t fill me with dread as Joaquin Phoenix still does! but i get it, they’re not the same. im just bitter because I know they’re both great actors and I feel like they could have done more if given the opportunity. there was just so much going on everywhere—feels like they purposely crammed so much into the movie and just went with it. even shots like where Maximus is walking through the fields and touching the wheat, it felt so out of place there. it was just a reminder of how the second film refused to allow such easy/intimate pacing. that final scene cutting back to the first movie was a clear reminder of this difference between the two.

I also feel like by making Lucius the son of Maximus, it really ruined his character, his memory. Maximus is many things, but ultimately he signifies loyalty, justice and hope for an honest Rome. now we learn that he was having an affair behind his wife’s back? it was truly awful to take in. Idk I think the worst crime a sequel can commit is to blatantly dishonor the first film and I feel like they did just that.