Things Gladiator does better than Gladiator 2

Important takeaways

• Paul Mescal's Lucius doesn't match Crowe's iconic Maximus in screen presence or performance quality.
• Gladiator's grounded story and gripping fight sequences outshine Gladiator 2's chaotic approach.
• Hans Zimmer's original score gives Gladiator an emotional depth that is missing from the sequel.

Gladiators 2 comes to the big screen twenty-four years later Gladiatorwith the original starring Russell Crowe as the imposing lead, Maximus. While Gladiators 2 opting to follow a new gladiator, Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, the sequel is still set in the heart of the Roman Empire, with epic battles, intense politics and a wild cast of characters bolstering the narrative.

While Gladiators 2 succeeds in many areas throughout its run, many will struggle to find it surpasses Gladiator in terms of quality. Although they lack the technological advances of Gladiators 2the original has several aspects that make it stand out completely from its long-awaited sequel.

Warning! Spoilers ahead!

1 Superior protagonist

Crowe's Maximus is magnetic and truly heroic

While Paul Mescal puts in a respectable effort as Gladiators 2s lead role, his performance still fails to live up to the iconic Maximus, with Crowe's magnetic portrayal still resonating with audiences two decades on Gladiatorpp drop. Coming from a position of authority, Maximus possesses a level of stoicism and grit that makes the character fascinating to watch as he endures life-or-death situations to enact his revenge.

Crowe's dignified and masculinity-filled performance captures the hearts of Rome and audiences at the Coliseum, and it's easy to see why, with the actor's undeniable fit for the complex role a joy to behold. The actor's performance even earned Crowe an Oscar for his heralded performance, with the masses finding Maximus one of the truly heroic protagonists of 21st century cinema. Despite Mescal's total dedication to the role and his performance, the actor lacks the gravitas and screen presence required, though few could replicate or come close to Crowe's feats in his most famous role.

2 More grounded

Less chaotic and more content-rich story

Gladiator may lack the direct glasses that appear in Gladiators 2although the lack of CGI-driven fight sequences is not a necessity, with the grounded and less chaotic Gladiator create a higher quality movie. Filled with water fights in the coliseum with sharks and battles against otherworldly monkeys, Gladiators 2 creates an absurd and action-packed film that almost becomes outlandish at times.

Where Gladiator stands out in comparison is in its simple but engrossing battle sequences. At the same time, its story remains compelling and doesn't get lost in the absurdity of the Roman Empire and the actions of Commodus. Gladiators 2 may follow a similar story to its predecessor in that the protagonist seeks revenge for the loss of his family while operating in a corrupt society. But the wild and chaotic approach, especially in the second half, can take the audience out of Lucius' journey.

3 Iconic scenes

Maximus has many famous lines that resonated with the audience

Along with being a showcase for maximum masculinity and brutality, iconic quotes are delivered in Gladiator has infiltrated pop culture and society. Often famous for the iconic line “Aren't you entertained”, uttered by Maximus after defeating a group of gladiators, Gladiator is full of legendary scenes that are epic in the truest sense of the word.

While Gladiators 2 has intense scenes, often driven by the behemoth that is Denzel Washington, Macrinus' character is not enough to match the number of visceral and heightened scenes in the original. Maxmius' reveal to Commodus in the Colosseum and the pair's duel to the death are just a few select scenes that dwarf the sequel due to Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix's epic performances and the overall execution of the film by Ridley Scott.

4 Do

Hans Zimmer's musical score is hard to beat

Hans Zimmer's original score for Gladiator has been highly regarded as one of the famous composer's most significant works, rivaling his epic musical productions in films such as Interstellar and Pirates of the Caribbean. Perfectly encapsulating Maximus' long but emotional journey, Zimmer excels with a thrilling score that captures the themes of revenge, love, family and honor in the Roman Empire.

Twenty-four years later, while using aspects of Zimmer's score in the sequel, Harry Gregson-Williams provides a presentable sound to assist Gladiators 2, which fits the themes of the film. However, it lacks the emotional pull and level of grandeur of its predecessor. Many of the best musical moments in the sequel come from Zimmer's original sound, where the score fails to build new memorable and vibrant themes like a franchise like Gladiator deserve.

5 More emotional

Maximus' story and journey is much more compelling

Being a sequel, Gladiators 2 chooses to follow roughly the same story as its predecessor. But as a result, the emotional punch fails to land compared to the widely known original, with Gladiator to perform the emotional beats at a higher standard. Much can be made of the portrayal of Maximus, which adds more emotional weight to the story compared to Lucius' journey, which happens to be almost identical. Crowe's line delivery and clean feel throughout Gladiator create such depth, which makes the film's ending all the more impactful.

As one of the only characters to appear in both films, Connie Nielsen's Lucilla suffers at the hands of the Roman emperors, though the psychological torment Commodus inflicts on her and a young Lucius is far more emotive than the wild antics of Geta and Caracalla. While GladiatorIts stunning ending sees Maximus defeat Commodus and reunite with his wife and son in the afterlife, Gladiators 2 uses the death of Lucilla and Marcus Acacius as its emotional core. However, the results are half-baked and underdeveloped in comparison Gladiator.