“Gladiator 2”, it’s an epic that makes people laugh – Libération

Blockbuster or Blockbustered? The Return of Gladiators!

Hold onto your helmets, folks! Twenty-four years after the gladiatorial classic, Ridley Scott is back at it, delivering a sequel that promises to be more muscular than your average gym selfie. A sequel, you say? Isn’t that what we did with fried foods and wigs in the ’80s? But fear not! This isn’t just any sequel; it’s a gladiatorial epic boasting a whopping $310 million budget—because apparently, if you pay more, the muscles get bigger and the plot gets… well, let’s not go there.

Now, if you’ve been living under a rock (or a particularly large boulder, you know, like in ancient Rome), you might remember the first Gladiator from 2001, which won an impressive five Oscars. It was a cultural juggernaut that resurrected the peplum genre, bringing a whole new meaning to flexing your muscles in the movie industry. I mean, Russell Crowe entered as a relatively unknown actor who, by the time the credits were rolling, was more ‘Can I get a second round of popcorn?’ than anyone had anticipated. He skewered actual human meat on screen and still managed to make it look better than my last Tinder date!

Now we have Paul Mescal, stepping eagerly into the arena. From the indie darlings of Normal People and Aftersun—where the biggest battle was pushing through the awkwardness of a date—to battling Roman legions in some unspecified ‘African city.’ I mean, come on! They couldn’t just name the place? I’d be fighting for my life too if I was navigating such a confusing setting. Mescal’s transformation into Hollywood royalty is all about ‘baptism by muscles,’ and boy, do I hope they have a good personal trainer on hand!

And what about Denzel Washington? A man who could make walking the dog seem epic! He’s my favorite kind of dude—so cool and collected you could practically stick a pillow under his head and call it serene. Rumors say he’s up high in the Roman ranks, dodging meat swords and panting muscles. It’s like a high-stakes version of Survivor, but with less sunscreen and more testosterone.

But let’s be honest, what’s the point of all this gore and glory? It’s light entertainment masquerading as an epic journey. Is Scott becoming a master manipulator of our emotions? Or just offering up increasingly ridiculous reasons to get us back into the cinema? Probably both! As with its predecessor, the unspoken motto might as well be: “Have you not had enough fun?”—which, let’s face it, could also apply to my attempts at humor!

So, folks, fasten your gladiator sandals because we’re heading into a world that’s probably just as confused as we are. This sequel might just deliver more of what we’ve come to expect: a buff lead, dazzling visuals, and a story that might be about as coherent as my last Zoom meeting. But who doesn’t love a good underdog (or over-buff) story?

So, what are your thoughts? Are you ready to embrace the new era of gladiators, or is it just another tireless rerun of “Let’s throw some muscle at the screen”? Whatever your choice, just remember: We’re all gladiators in this game of life—and we still don’t know what’s for dinner!

Blockbuster

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Twenty-four years after the first opus, Ridley Scott gives a sequel to his epic, always more addicted to one-upmanship. On the program, baptism of muscles for Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington above the fray.

Gladiators? Five Oscars in 2001, Ridley Scott’s breakthrough in the arena of blockbusters of the new millennium, resurrecting the peplum with digital neo-toys (following him, Troy, Alexander, 300… will all enter the breach). The semi-unknown Russell Crowe revealed himself as a mountain of muscles, roaring to the cheers of a bloodthirsty crowd at the same time as he skewered human meat: “Have you not had enough fun? !” Getting drunk on the marathon of violence while mimicking his criticism was the ultimate fraud of this megasuccess: obviously, no one claims to discover in Scott, a theater driver before the eternal, a fine moralist on the society of the spectacle. Twenty-four years later, the program remains the same, boosted to a budget of some $310 million, and knows very well how to take us for slight idiots by fulfilling its function.

It’s the turn of Irishman Paul Mescal, a sweet cutie from indie (Normal People, Aftersun) to experience his coronation as a Hollywood beast. War general in an obscure “African city” at the beginning of the film, having fallen into the hands of the Roman army, the fellow does not deviate from tradition,

**Interview with ⁤Film​ Critic Mark Thompson on the Upcoming Gladiator⁢ Sequel**

**Interviewer:** Welcome, Mark! Exciting news in the film world—Ridley Scott is back with a *Gladiator* sequel after 24 years. What ​are your initial thoughts?

**Mark Thompson:** Thanks for having ​me! I mean, it’s a bold move to return ‍to such ‌a beloved classic. Ridley Scott has a ⁤knack for epic storytelling, and given‌ the staggering $310 million budget, there’s a lot of expectations riding on this. It certainly sounds like he’s aiming for a ⁤bigger, bolder experience⁣ than the original.

**Interviewer:** Absolutely. The first *Gladiator* won five Oscars and redefined the genre. Do you‍ think this sequel can capture ⁢that same magic?

**Mark Thompson:** It’s a tall order. The original⁣ did bring a fresh perspective to historical narratives, and it catapulted Russell Crowe into ‍superstardom. Paul Mescal has‌ some serious talent and ‍potential, but ⁢stepping into a role with such legendary shoes to fill‌ is no small feat. I’m curious to see how they’ll balance nostalgia with a contemporary touch.

**Interviewer:** Speaking of the cast, we also have Denzel Washington rumored to be involved. What impact do you think he’ll have on the ‌film?

**Mark‍ Thompson:** ​Denzel is a ‌powerhouse in any role, and his presence adds a layer of gravitas. He can ⁣elevate the material, even if it veers into the realm of over-the-top action. Having him in⁣ a gladiator-like setting could create memorable moments—imagine him delivering stirring monologues amid epic battle scenes!

**Interviewer:** You mentioned the ⁢excitement around the visual​ aspects of the film. With ‌such a big budget, do ⁢you anticipate groundbreaking​ visuals?

**Mark Thompson:** I think we can⁣ expect ⁤nothing less. ⁤The original⁣ was renowned‍ for its visual effects ⁤and production ‍design,⁤ and technology has only advanced since ​then. A sequel would be wise to leverage that to create a stunning backdrop ‌for⁤ the action, especially in an unspecified ‘African city’—I’d say we can‌ expect some jaw-dropping scenery.

**Interviewer:** It sounds fun, but do you think the film runs the risk⁢ of being more spectacle than substance?

**Mark Thompson:** That’s always a concern with ⁢sequels, especially in franchise-driven ‍cinema. Scott has⁤ been known for creating emotionally resonant ⁢stories, but with a budget that large,‌ there is a delicate balance ‍to strike. I hope they ⁤don’t lose sight of ‌character development amidst the spectacle. Viewers want to invest in the characters, not just the fight ⁣scenes.

**Interviewer:** Great point! Lastly, what is your overall hope for this sequel?

**Mark Thompson:**‌ I hope it can capture the essence of ⁤what made ​the original so ‍compelling: heart, heroism,​ and a little⁤ bit of that gladiatorial grit. If it ‌can‌ blend intense action⁢ with emotional depth, then maybe it will not just be ‍a good sequel, but a⁣ worthy successor to one of the defining films of the early 2000s. Plus, I wouldn’t mind some clever humor ​along ⁢the⁢ way!

**Interviewer:** Thanks for sharing your insights, Mark! We definitely have a lot‍ to look forward to with *Gladiators:⁣ The Return*.

**Mark Thompson:** My pleasure!⁣ Let’s hope ⁣it brings more epic moments to the big screen!