Gladiator II
prizefighter 2began with a recap of its predecessor in a singular and original manner that other sequel could learn from . Given that it has been 24 years sinceGladiator ’s emotional close , the musical theme that a sequel to the film was unneeded was plebeian among general audiences . Despite the strongcast assembled forGladiator 2 , many could not shake off the smell that the first film ’s ending was well - rounded and did not need to be revisited .
All that said , Gladiator 2proved to be an enjoyable film that had some joining to the first movie while also tolerate on its own . Gladiator 2 ’s diachronic inaccuraciesaside , it continued the legacy of Maximus and Marcus Aurelius ' dream of Rome via the character of Lucius , prove to be a rare legacy sequel that works , thus allowing theset - up ofGladiator 3to be appeal . However , it was how the sequel linked the original that it unfeignedly shined , beginning withGladiator 2 ’s impressive opening credits , which subverted expectations and proved a secure way for sequels to recap their precursor .
Gladiator 2’s Opening Recap Is A Perfect Refresher On Gladiator’s Story
With A Notably Distinct Art Style
AsGladiator 2opens , the recap begin in an interesting path . Immediately , it is easy to recognize that the film will not simply include direct review ofGladiatorby replaying scenes from the first pic . Instead , Gladiator 2includes what is essentially an renovate chronological sequence that cover the major issue of its predecessor . The animation looks incredible and is standardised in style to the logo for Scott Free , Ridley Scott ’s output caller . The events ofGladiatorare reimagined in this water-color style , making for a visually striking way to pen up audiences back into the worldof Scott ’s ancient Rome .
Gladiator 2 ’s recap make for both by pass away over the main story beats ofGladiator , only doing so in the aforementioned original recreate style …
The long wait betweenGladiatorandGladiator 2makes this recap necessary . After all , there will in all likelihood have been many watching the latter who have not seen the former in a long while or even those who have not seen it at all . prizefighter 2 ’s recap works for both by going over the main story beat up ofGladiator , only doing so in the aforesaid original animated style rather than the lazier option of merely including outright scene from the first film . Even for those who are familiar withGladiator , the recap reinforces the aroused core of the entire franchise .
Gladiator 2’s Opening Recap Allowed The Sequel To Avoid Unnecessary Exposition
Gladiator 2’s Script Had Less Of A Need To Address The First Film
Another welfare ofGladiator 2 ’s opening recap beyond what has already been bring up business concern the film ’s script . If the recapitulation had not been implement into the film ’s opening , it is dependable to seize thatGladiator 2 ’s script would have spend more time going over the effect ofGladiator . This would likely have resulted in a corking deal of unneeded expo , with the characters in the film explicitly state what find toGladiator ’s Maximus Decimus Meridius , who Marcus Aurelius was , what the dream of Rome was , and so on .
The ambition of Rome is a thematic center percentage point of both Gladiator and Gladiator 2 , begging the interrogative sentence of what precisely it is and how it is achieved .
Of course , some of these elements are still found inGladiator 2 . No film is without expounding , and the long - wait subsequence is certainly no unlike . That read , a lot of the abbreviated exhibition that is still included inGladiator 2is not an outright explanation of the first film , instead being tied to secret plan point in time , character , or thematic throughlines that are important to the chronicle the subsequence is telling . Without the hatchway recap ofGladiator 2 , this exposition would have been expatiate into , well , recap , robbingGladiator 2of its narrative actuation in favor of extensively revising the first film .
More Sequels Should Copy Gladiator 2’s Opening Recap Scene
With all of this in mind , Gladiator 2has proven to other sequel that afford recap scene can work better if executed uniquely . Although many sequels , especially those that are placed into production long after the original films , let in recap elements , they tend to be more straightforward thanGladiator 2 ’s animated sequence . Be it clip from the original films or opening credit schoolbook , whichGladiator 2admittedly also has , bequest sequels are often produce with the pretense of refreshing audience ' mind before the story begins .
This is only natural and arguably gain the story at paw , as most sequels are crafted as exactly that : continuation of the original film . Therefore , recapitulate what has get along before is essential , withGladiator 2proving a new , distinct room it can be done . This technique not only fleshed out the important elements from the first motion-picture show that were need forGladiator 2but also did so in a beautifully enliven style that is seldom seen in live - action Hollywood moving picture . Via this recap , Gladiator 2may have set the benchmark for sequel of any kind going forward .
