Parents' Guide to Gladiator II

The original film was a massive, Oscar-winning hit in 2000, so a sequel isn't a shock, but it is curious that director Ridley Scott waited 24 years to create what amounts to a somewhat wan remake. Gladiator II echoes the original in many ways, including plot and characterizations. But since it lacks both the first movie's fresh take on ancient Rome and Russell Crowe's star power, it comes off as a retread. That's not to say that Mescal doesn't have magnetism; in fact, his performance is one of the highlights of the film. But his character is underwritten. Aside from a prominent death at the film's start, we're not sure what motivates the powerful rage that other characters claim to feel emanating from Lucius, nor the wounded pride he feels at the theft of his birthright. And watching him go through essentially the same emotional and physical journey as Crowe's Maximus is less powerful the second time around.

The best character in this movie is Washington's Macrinus, who looks to be having a great time scheming to gain power over evil twin emperors Geta and Caracalla (tied for second-best character). Macrinus, with his cheerful villainy and loopy line readings, is a solid kick, and though Geta and Caracalla don't have much to do besides lounging with scantily clad courtiers and drunkenly calling for more and more degenerate acts of violence, they're still interesting (if queer-coded in a distressingly regressive fashion). They're all much more interesting, unfortunately, than the hero we're supposed to be rooting for, who has little more to do than slog grimly through a series of gladiatorial challenges. Gladiator II is beautifully shot and staffed with powerful actors; too bad its weak story doesn't give either of those elements its due.