Gladiator II

 

Gladiator II-Prime Videos

Gladiator II is a typical Ridley Scott spectacle: action-packed, impressive special effects, and a great cast. It continues the first Gladiator movie sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius's death, but this film stands on its own. The story is specific to the gladiator revolt. The movie's prime theme is the liberation of the gladiators and the deposition of the corruption of the twin emperors.

Paul Mescal has the lead role.  He is the hunk of the month, rubbing shoulders with Austin Butler and Glen Powell. He acts as good as his looks. His motivation is revenge and justice. He does not falter from this theme throughout the film, which adds cohesiveness. He is passionate about revenge.

Pedro Pascal is the decorated general who is the target of Mescal’s revenge. Pascal plays a pivotal role in the film, but his role is all too short. His role is mixed as a conquering general, and a conspirator in overthrowing the emperors. His performance is effective in both roles.

Connie Nielson plays Lucilla, a coconspirator against the emperors. She has other vital roles, but if I revealed them, I would be accused of being a spoiler. Her role is pivotal to the plot.

The twin emperors are self-indulgent despots. They stage brutal gladiatorial games for entertainment. Today, they would be considered two spoiled homicidal slackers.

Denzel Washington is a scene stealer. He plays against type; he is evil. He transforms slaves into gladiators. His method is brutal and bloody.  His role is pivotal to the movie, and he relishes the role.

Derek Jacobi briefly appears as a senator. I did not know that he was still alive.

The special effects are impressive, and the reproduction of Rome is authentic. Ridley brought the Colosseum to life, where the gladiator battles take place. The battles are unique, with a charging Rhino and battling gally ships. He threw  in sharks for effect

This is a brutal movie with copious carnage. If bloody scenes bother you, this is not your movie. The movie's box office helped save 2024.

 

  

The Tragedy of Macbeth

 

The Tragedy of Macbeth (Apple +)

There have been several productions of Macbeth in theaters and films. Joel Coen’s Macbeth is unique. His black and white interpretation uses minimalist sets with long shadows forecasting a tragic drama. His sets are more like theater rather than film.

Denzel Washington is Macbeth; his performance is masterful. He transforms Macbeth from an ambitious traitor to a paranoid monarch who’s decent into madness is complete. Washington uses his decades of acting culminating into this bravo performance. Frances McDormand’s nonverbal performance is as forceful as her dialogue. She is the cunning wife who eggs on Macbeth to his murderous deeds. Brendan Gleeson is King Duncan with only a brief performance before death cuts him short. The entire cast is stellar.

An outstanding performance is given by Kathryn Hunter as the witch (she plays all three witches). She is described as a virtuoso physical performer. As the witch she transforms  herself from a knotted soothsayer into the three witches. She uses her deep guttural voice to make her prophecies. Her acting is enough reason to see this film.

For many of us reading Macbeth was a required part of the curriculum. This Macbeth is optional.