We Hear You: Paul Mescal Fighting for His Life On-screen and Off-screen

In today’s episode of, “We hear you: Fan Reactions” we bring to you the reviews for Paul Mescal’s latest film’s trailer, Gladiator 2.

Twenty-four years after the Ridley Scott action film, Gladiator, made a colossal splash in the theaters, Scott is bringing us the sequel. Gladiator II, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington at the forefront, is set to premiere November 22 in US theaters.

The Trailer Reaction

The trailer of the film was released on July 9 and did not meet with the greatest appreciation from fans. Even before the trailer was released, fans of the franchise were worried that it wouldn’t live up to the original Gladiator, and when Paramount Pictures released the trailer they felt that the worst had happened and their worries were proven right.

The people have spoken, and, unfortunately for Paul Mescal, they have nothing good to say about the trailer. In this segment we’ll review all the things wrong with the trailer, and all the things we liked about it. 

Plot Overview: Gladiator II

According to the synopsis of Gladiator II: Paul Mescal, is playing the now grown up Lucius Verus, the son of Maximus’s beloved Lucilla (Connie Neilson). After being away from home for years, he returns to Rome after years in the wilderness.

Captured by Roman forces led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), he is thrust into the gladiatorial arena, solely for the entertainment of the emperor and the public. As he battles for survival, he encounters Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave-turned-merchant, and faces the corrupt twin emperors Caracalla and Geta.

Quick history lesson of Gladiator (might contain spoilers for people who still haven’t watched the first part):

After General Maximus is betrayed by the then Emperor’s son, Commodious, who kills his own father for the throne, Maximus becomes a Gladiator. Gladiators were armed combatants who entertained audiences with violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. 

He rose through the ranks as a gladiator with the help of his allies, one of whom was Lucilla, his lover and Commodius’ sister.

Will Gladiator 2 be able to Recapture the Magic of the Original?

The main protagonist of Gladiator 2 is Lucilla’s son, Lucius, who witnessed Maximus’s death in the arena at the hands of his uncle. And in this part, it can be said that Lucius is carrying the legacy of Maximus forward, or, more accurately, that Paul Mescal is carrying the torch passed on by Rusell Crowe.

In the trailer, a younger Lucius looks on as Maximus is fighting in the arena. He starts off by saying that he never forgot that day, but then in the next second he claims, “I don’t know a mother, nor a father,” throwing us into confusion during the first few seconds.

Then, we’re introduced to Denzel Washington as Macrinus, a former slave turned merchant and arms dealer, who claims Lucius to be his “instrument,” and offers his help in his vengeance. 

What We Liked About the Trailer

You have to hand it to Scott though; the footage showcases unbelievable war scenes, on a much grander scale than Gladiator demonstrated. It also has plenty of throwbacks to the original film, including a very special connection offered by Lucilla to her son which ties his fate to that of Maximus (Crowe).

It’s actually really difficult to replicate an epic (just ask Paul Mescal) that made such a huge impact in the industry, even if the director is the same. But it looks like Scott has pulled it off once again.

Oof, that last scene with the ultimate fight between Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal? Love. It’s really giving the Last. Final. Encounter.

What’s wrong with the trailer, then, you ask? Well.

We’re not cinematography experts, but at distinct points in the trailer, we found issues with the cinematography, proven right by critics. At various points in the trailer, you could hear important stuff happening in the background, but you couldn’t see it on screen.

Another most important thing: THE RAP. Yes, there’s rap in the trailer, and if you missed it like we almost did too, go watch the trailer again. Now, our question to Paramount Pictures is “What are Jay-Z and Kanye West doing singing rap in 137 BC?”

One fan, commenting on the youtube trailer, accurately captured all our thoughts in their words. They commented: “So we went from Hans Zimmer to my brother’s Spotify playlist.” (Hans Zimmer was the composer for the original)

Conclusion: The Film Might Still Be Great

And look, we agree that the trailer might not be that great, but it might just be marketing, and Ridley Scott didn’t actually have any say in how the movie was promoted. Which means that the movie will still be great. 

Or at least that’s what we’re telling ourselves so y’all should tell yourselves that too.