10/20/2024
I had the absolute honor of attending the first-ever screening of Gladiator 2 at the Paramount lot. Huge thanks to Paramount for having me!
๐๐ฒ ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ-๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ-๐จ๐-๐ญ๐ก๐-๐ญ๐ก๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง? This sequel is everything. If youโre going to make a follow-up, THIS is how itโs done. Not a single boring moment. The opening sequence alone will knock your socks off. Every actor, writer, cinematographer, costume designerโeverybody crushed it. Paul Mescal? THE PERFECT LEAD. Pedro Pascal was phenomenal, as always. And Denzel Washington? He fu**ed. That. S**t. Up. Gave it all and then some. Ridley Scott? Of course, the man outdid himself.
Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger as the emperors were just the right amount of sadistic , twisted, and brilliant. Connie Nielsen returning felt like no time had passedโshe looks spectacular.
This movie was like eating the best damn piece of cake. You think itโs going to be good, but then you take that first biteโmoist, rich, perfectโand the next thing you know, youโve devoured the whole thing at midnight, zero regrets, and all you can think about is doing it again.
The way Ridley layers this film is unreal. The textures? You feel them from the first scene. Thereโs no downtime, no lullโjust something amazing unfolding every second. The set designers deserve the ultimate Roman bathhouse experience for the brilliance they put on screen.
Trust me, Iโll be back on opening night because I need to experience this masterpiece again with the crowdโs reactions. Awards are coming for this one. Get ready.