The long-awaited sequel to the legendary film Gladiator has finally been released. I watched the new part, Gladiator 2, and I have to admit that this is the most lifeless film in Ridley Scott's career. After the first act, the desire to continue exploring this picture disappeared, but I still forced myself to watch to the end. The main character is a character devoid of depth, whose motives and character the director does not reveal, leading him only to the inevitable climax. Only naked revenge drives him, but it is not reflected in his soul, leaving no trace of emotions. At the beginning of the film, he loses his love and friend, but these losses remain without an emotional response, turning into just an excuse for his actions. Even meeting his mother, "Lucilla", does not touch his essence - he is a hero devoid of feelings.
Gladiator fights look unrealistic, memorized movements and patterns replace real power, making the spectacle a choreographic performance that is perceived as a circus performance. During the viewing, I caught myself thinking: "I'm wasting my time." Yes, I feel sorry for my watch, given to this painting. Once-standard staging and camerawork now seem intrusive and outdated. The only actor animating the screen is "Denzel Washington", who managed to give his image at least a little depth and meaning, saving what is happening.
The film is made of conventions, self-repetitions and absurdities. The plot crawls sluggishly, like an old mare dragging a cart uphill. Only at the end of the second act does animation replace despondency, and the story finally finds an echo of emotion, the climax of the second act is the best part of the picture, it gives the intended dramatic tension, but it does not last long: the finale turns into a bacchanal of scenario fantasy, as if from the pages of the yellow press. This finale is a symbol of the decline of the entire film industry.
