I never disliked the original; saw it in the theater; thought it was OK. Later on, in home re-watches, or general movie conversations, come to realize some people really liked it. Their favorite in that era / decade.
I really liked it when it first came out. Can still recall most of the plot. Not sure if I want to rewatch and go through the quick cuts again....
I am a big fan of Gladiator. I find it it interesting the criticism of the color palette as much of it is based on the classic Sword and Sandal movies like Ben Hur that had a very similar color palette. It's one big departure is at the beginning but ancient Germania by all accounts was a misty and depressing place. No problem with the fight scenes. Yes they are frenetic but I didn't have much problem following them.
The Maximus death scene and subsequent carry-off is one of the most cheesiest cinematic efforts ever.
I'm talking about the lead dude in this movie posted in the first post (image below). But if you want these HANDS I can work you as easily as the SEC is about to work the Big 12 tonight.
Love the original, one of my all time favorite films. But I don’t need a sequel. Sequels in Hollywood are an epidemic. I’m sure I’ll see this, but have no expectations.
I'm baffled by this thread. I came into it expecting to see people complaining that it is a bad idea to make a sequel to the original. The two best parts of it are dead at the end of the movie. I don't care about Commodus' nephew. But maybe it will be good. Who knows? But to see people disparaging the original? I will throw a freaking trident straight into your midsection for those words. Seriously, though, while some of the fight/action sequences could have been edited better, I never had any problem whatsoever telling what was going on. The Battle of Carthage fight sequence is beautiful and pumps me up every time. The rest of it is overly choppy, but not so much that it affects my enjoyment of the film to any great degree. I hope the new movie is good. I haven't seen any of the new main actor's work, so maybe I'm surprised. But ultimately it feels like a cash grab to me.
GLADIATOR Sequel Adds Denzel Washington And Barry Keoghan A pair of major new cast additions for Ridley Scott's Gladiator sequel here, with both Denzel Washington and Barry Keoghan reportedly signing on for key supporting roles... News RorMachine | 3/17/2023 Filed Under: "Movies" We recently learned that Ridley Scott's long-gestating Gladiator sequel had taken a major step forward, with Normal People and Aftersun star Paul Mescal tapped for the lead role. Now, the project has enlisted a couple of major new cast members. THR reports that two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington is in negotiations to re-team with Scott on the movie (they previously worked together on 2007's American Gangster). Details on his role are being kept under wraps, but he is rumored to be playing the man who trains Mescal's character for his gladiatorial battles. In addition, The Banshees of Inisherin Best Supporting Actor nominee Barry Keoghan will play the villainous Emperor Geta. Russell Crowe's titular warrior, Maximus Decimus Meridius, was killed off at the end of the first movie, so when it was first announced that Scott was planning a sequel to his Academy Award-winning action drama, fans were curious who the story would focus on. It's been confirmed that the sequel will follow Lucius, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the nephew of the villainous Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), who looked up to Maximus and helped carry his body after his death. David Scarpa, who worked with Scott on All The Money In the Worldand the upcoming Napoleon Bonaparte film, is currently working on the script. Scott will also produce with Michael Pruss via Scott Free, and Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher via Red Wagon Entertainment.
I will temper my expectations for this sequel, considering it's missing the main star as well as the writers of the first film, although Denzel is a great add. Ridley is an all-time great, but even he needs to have a great script in order to shine.
Barry Keoghan would make an awesome villain. I'm still not sure this is a good idea, but I'm liking it more and more.
Everyone gets old. That being said, he looks like he hasn't been trying to be movie ready for years upon years.
Actually, if that's recent, he's slimmed down. Spoiler I'm not knocking him though. He looks to be in better shape than a lot of people his age.
