Gladiator II - the controversy begins here

[Michi]

Soundtrack any good!
 

Not as good as in the old movie. There were passages from the old one, which were good (Hans Zimmer, Lisa Gerrard), but the new music tells me nothing and doesn't touch me.

[Sir Barnaby Hammond-Rye]

Ridley Scott's best movies i.e. The Duelists and Alien were I think accidental. He made a movie and all the pieces fell into place and it was perfect. He rolled 5D6 and got all sixes. Completely random. Napoleon he rolled all '1's.

[HerbertTarkel]

All I can say about Gladiator II: the Moneymaker, is DUDE ON A FREAKING RHINO!

Someone needs to make this a Cavalry option. Please.

The rest of the movie looks turrible. Just … turrible.

[BlindFool]

…and the Rhino/scene…was originally due to appear in the original film but Ridley and his team couldn’t get it to work hence its long awaited appearance in this version

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Another omission from the original film was Maximus endorsing a brand of olive oil in the arena, which was rejected on grounds of being unbelievable. Apparently it’s historically authentic.

[carlos marighela]

Bugger! To think the world was denied Russell Crowe warbling a Roman ad.

Don't wait to be told, you need Quintus Ventus' Olive Gold!

Hopefully this version will attempt to right that wrong and have whoever appears as Emperor declaring that 'These games are proudly brought to you by Gavius Flaccus' Garum. A condiment fit for an Empreor's table'

[ithoriel]

"True Roman olive oil for true Romans. Brought to you by the Aventine Brotherhood of Olive Traders, who use only the finest Roman olives! In association with Batiatus the lanista"

[peleset]

Jeez!
There's no escape from death, taxes and ad's between every fight!



https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DueH3ihTN4OI&psig=AOvVaw05jViFlshpDtjaud0XzzS4&ust=1732007601481000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCNjOtdbF5YkDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAg

[Cholmondely Percival IV]

Without having seen the scene in question - which apparently was filmed so may conceivably appear at some point - one can only speculate as to its content. I imagine it going something like this:

EXT. Rome. The Colosseum. Day. After inventively disposing of another opponent, Maximus cynically acknowledges the crowd’s wild applause. Before he can leave the arena in disgust he is approached by the MC, who whispers a few words into his ear while soldiers watch him closely.

MC: Great double-handed decapitation, there, Maximus! As you can hear, the spectators really loved that!

More roaring from the crowd. Maximus waves briefly before turning his attention back on the MC.

MC: We’ve not seen scenes like this since Spartacus the Thracian  eviscerated a Murmillo, strangled a tiger and impaled a Retiarus on his own trident, all in one afternoon! Of course Spartacus went off the rails a bit after that but it was fun while it lasted.

The crowd roars.

MC: Before you go off for a well-earned rest, I have a question that I’m sure everyone has been wondering about: what do you like on your salad? Only the best olive oil for the best gladiator in the arena, right?

Maximus glares balefully at the MC for a moment, then gathers himself.

MAXIMUS: Lurkio’s olive oil is the one I adore. It comes fresh from the press, all taste and no mess. I love it in my tummy, it’s so yummy. The fruitiest extra virgin on my gherkin. The only one worth having when you want to do some stabbing.

MC: Uh, Thank you, Maximus. Now go and have some salad with a generous dose of Lurkio’s olive oil. We’ll see you later for some more stabbing!

[Sir Barnaby Hammond-Rye]

All I can say about Gladiator II: the Moneymaker, is DUDE ON A FREAKING RHINO!

Someone needs to make this a Cavalry option. Please.

The rest of the movie looks turrible. Just … turrible.

Glorantha has Rhino riding tribemen already.

[HerbertTarkel]

Glorantha has Rhino riding tribemen already.

Miniatures? Get outta here! That scene is so digitally epic.

[zemjw]

Just throwing this in here, as it made me chuckle

[vodkafan]

For me Ridley Scott lost his way several films back. I am 100% not going to bother watching this.

[Cat]

Well, that's a big thumb up for SNL!

[Swampking]

Not bad for SNL - mildly amusing.

Regarding the actual movie - I watched it a few weeks ago. Some of the acting was weird, over the top in some places and dead pan in others. The story wasn't exactly interesting - seen it before a hundred times in different genres.

The action was pretty good but the story just seemed to plod along from action scene to action scene. I was confused at first because I didn't know why I should care about the main character, he just seemed to be some random warrior to me, nothing really special. The choice of certain actors for certain roles could be best described as 'questionable', the same thing with extras. I'm not an expert by any means but I don't remember the Praetorian Guard being 'diverse'.

Would I watch it again? Nope - not a chance. It was tepidly entertaining.

Poor Ridley - I didn't realize it was possible for a director to fall as far as he has. His legacy is definitely tarnished by the pure 'girl bossing' in Napoleon, and the questionable story/casting choices in Gladiator II.