Gladiator 1 & 2 Discussion and Review

Friends, Romans, and Countrymen, lend us your views; as we review 2000's Gladiator. As most of you know, this movie put Russell Crowe on the map as a major movie star. This movie also stars Joaquin Phoenix who plays the illegitimate emperor, Commodos. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a Spaniard who happens to be a general in the Roman Army. he is betrayed when Commodos kills his father, the true emperor. His betrayal leads to Maximus becoming a slave and a gladiator.

Gladiator 2 which came out this year stars Denzel Washington who plays Macrinus (loosely inspired by the historical figure Marcus Opellius Macrinus. A former slave who plans to control Rome. He keeps a stable of gladiators and mentors Lucius. He also works as an arms dealer, providing weapons, food, and oil to the Roman armies in Europe.
Connie Nielsen as Lucilla: who is the daughter of the true emperor from the 1st movie and has a son with Maximus. she is the only returning star from the original. Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus Aurelius / "Hanno": The grandson of the former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Maximus. His character's journey mirrors that of his father. Pedro Pascal as General Acacius: A general of the Roman army who trained under Maximus, and Lucilla's husband. Although he lives a luxurious lifestyle in Rome, he spends most of his time away on military campaigns for the emperors. He leads an army to take over Numidia and invades Lucius's home, but is disillusioned by war and does not want to send more men to die for the emperors. This sequel exists to exist for money reasons.