Why we do or don’t need a Gladiator III

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As a die-hard fan of epic historical dramas, I’ve seen my fair share of gladiators and emperors come and go. But none have left quite the indelible mark on me like the tales of Maximus and now, Lucius. With Gladiator II, we’ve been taken on another thrilling journey through the treacherous politics of ancient Rome, a world I’ve grown to love and fear in equal measure.

Approximately a week has passed since Gladiator II debuted in U.S. cinemas, and it’s currently ranked as the 17th highest-earning film of the year thus far, according to Screen Rant. The movie has garnered positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 71% rating on the Tomatometer and an audience score of 83%.

Given such achievements, there’s been a discussion about whether another installment, specifically Gladiator III, is necessary. Despite our enjoyment of the Gladiator sequel with its mix of flaws and merits, we must admit that it’s a no, but not for the reason you might suppose.

Gladiator

To begin, let’s go over some fundamentals. In the film “Gladiator,” set in the 2000s, General Maximus has demonstrated his worth since his youth to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Despite Commodus, the Emperor’s son, coveting the throne, Marcus Aurelius instead selects Maximus, who had a past connection with Lucilla, Commodus’ sister.

Due to his knowledge of Aurelius’ plans, Maximus was imprisoned, destined for execution at the hands of Aurelius’ son upon the emperor’s death. However, Maximus managed to escape. Tragically, when he returned home, he found that his wife and son had been killed.

He’s regarded as a gladiator, battling numerous obstacles and eventually making his way back to Rome where he plots revenge against Emperor Commdous, who was once in power. Along the journey, Maximus regains popularity, this time as a fighter in the arena.

In a remarkable turn of events, Maximus’ admiration and renown were so profound that during the clash with Commodus within the grandeur of the Colosseum, where they both perished, the crowd opted to attend to him prior to their own sovereign.

Gladiator II

16 years following Marcus Aurelius’ demise, we encounter Lucius, a family man residing in Numidia, who is tasked with safeguarding the city from an approaching Roman force. Commanding this army is General Marcus Acacius. In the ensuing battle, Lucius’ wife meets her tragic end, and he himself is captured and forced into gladiatorial combat.

Following a series of battles, he eventually travels to Rome, accompanied by Macrinus who covets the throne. Currently, the throne is under the turbulent rule of the erratic brothers, Emperors Geta and Caracalla. However, Lucius has a personal vendetta against Marcus that he intends to fulfill.

Marcus is wedded to Lucilla, who is Lucius’ mother (conceived by Maximus prior to them marrying other individuals), and together they strive but fail to oust the corrupt emperors. Later, in the Colosseum, Lucius decides to pardon Marcus. Regrettably, the emperors still order Marcus’ execution, leading to widespread unrest among the citizens due to the tragic loss of their revered General.

Macrinus can now strike, turning Caracalla against Geta, and upon the next games, killing Caracalla himself. Lucius is unable to save his mother from death but thanks to the support of fellow gladiators he’s able to face and kill Macrinus, becoming the next heir to the throne.

Our opinion

In contrast to the original Gladiator, its sequel, Gladiator II, offers a more intricate and enlarged narrative. While the first film focuses solely on revenge within the political backdrop of Rome, it concludes with the protagonist achieving his goal, albeit at the expense of his life. In simpler terms, if you compare them, Gladiator is a story about revenge that takes place in Rome and ends when the hero completes his mission by sacrificing himself, while the sequel has a more elaborate plot but also concludes in a thrilling, decisive manner.

But even in death, he’s victorious as he can be reunited with his family in the afterlife for eternity. This was always his goal.

In “Gladiator II,” the narrative expands to encompass a more intricate tale of retribution, featuring characters that are multi-dimensional and complex, rather than stereotypical. Unlike Maximus in the first film, Lucius stands as the protagonist, but he deviates from the conventional tragic hero archetype since by the movie’s end, he not only survives but also shares a future with other key characters as potential Emperor, offering hope for a new era.

His ambition for retaliation against Marcus fades away when he recognizes that the thirst for revenge is no longer within him (also considering that Marcus isn’t as wicked as initially thought). Consequently, with that goal vanishing, he must find a new cause to champion: his mother.

Despite her untimely death, Lucius has the opportunity to rescue Rome by thwarting Macrinus and inheriting the throne. Regardless, we don’t have to witness how he ultimately fulfills Marcus Aurelius’ vision for a more prosperous Rome.

From this point onward, let your mind wander and fill in the blanks of the tale. Picture the transformations he might undergo, and maybe envision a newfound affection, mirroring the experience of his beloved mother.

Initially, some folks might have thought a sequel to the original wasn’t necessary, but I firmly believe that Gladiator II surpassed expectations. If Maximus and the rest hadn’t graced our screens in Gladiator, they would have still shone brilliantly in Gladiator II, delivering an exhilarating, captivating historical drama that frankly, Hollywood needs more of.

However, should a third “Gladiator” film emerge, it might not be advisable. Modern trilogies often lack the enduring appeal they once had, with only a few notable exceptions.

It’s common knowledge that the movie industry hasn’t been thriving lately, whether it’s because of the impact of Covid-19 in 2020 or just a tendency towards remakes rather than fresh ideas. This even includes popular Marvel films, although there have been some minor exceptions.

In my opinion, Gladiator II skillfully steered clear of the negative vibes that many recent movies seem to embody, while maintaining the enchantment that has been absent in many contemporary films. I’m confident that audiences will develop the same affection for this film as they did for its predecessor.

Additionally, I share the conviction that this movie could serve as a model for future productions. By combining the ideal blend of actors, script, and ambiance, all timed perfectly, extraordinary films can continue to captivate audiences.

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2024-12-03 20:15