Oli-view: Gladiator II

It's been a while since I was inspired to write. Talk about writer's block, this one is a big boulder indeed. Last week, out of an attempt to kill time before meetings and appointments, I decided to go to CGV and ask the ticket ladies: what's available? I have no movie in mind. I just want to kill time. And they said, Gladiator II is just playing, but the theatre is empty, they only have it in the Gold Cinema (which is more expensive), and the movie is 2.5 hours. Despite all this, I decided to watch it anyway. No regrets. I loved it!

What I know about the movie... (CMIIW)

It's been 24 years since the last Gladiator movie (2000), and Ridley Scott is directing it again. The movie is a sequel to the first one. It took place 16 years after the last one. In case you forgot, the film ends with the death of Maximus by Commodus at the Arena. After Maximus's death, Lucilla decides to send her son, Lucius, away so he can survive, as he will be a target for being the prince of Rome. And because Lucius was Maximus's son.

The second Gladiator movie, tells the story of Lucius as his path circles back to the place he hates the most: Rome. And it is a beautiful journey. I'm not going to spoil the story, but I want to share a few things I love about the movie.

My review

One scene I love in the movie is the part with the boat that takes you to the afterlife. The scene where Lucius witnesses his wife going into the boat is heartbreaking. When Lucius was lost and lonely after his wife passed, his mentor on his deathbed said,

When I'm done, my ancestor will greet me. Who will greet you?

He says this because the Lucius he knows is just a lost boy in the desert with no family. But as Lucius finds his family, the vibe changes:

I dream of crossing the river. I was not afraid cos someone is waiting on the other side.

As I was watching this, flashes of my Mom and Dad appeared. I smile because I know when I cross the River, they will wait for me. I find comfort in that.

The movie said that crossing the river represents forgiveness. This one is a little bit harder. Ever since my parents passed away, I always thought, this was it. I finish my task. I took care of them till the end. Now I can rest. I even go as far as saying, I can die tomorrow and I will be content. I no longer have a purpose. Just living for the sake of living. I haven't even forgiven myself for all the "what ifs" throughout the five years of taking care of my parents. So, how can I cross the river, if I haven't forgiven?

Back to Lucius, he is also full of rage. This is the one thing that makes a great Gladiator. Rage. Lucius witnessed his father die at the hands of his uncle. Lucius was thrown out by his mother. Lucius's wife, Arishat, was killed by the order of her mother's new husband, General Marcus of Rome. Rage runs in his blood. This kinda reminds me of my old job. I am filled with rage, too. So, I relate with him a lot and learn from him.

"The City is a disease. It infected everything it touches," said Lucius of Rome. This is so different from when his grandfather was Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. He is known for his Dream of Rome. A place for those in need. A home worth fighting for. A place that believes in Strength and Honor, and lives by it. But in Lucius's eyes, Rome is damaged good. What was once POSSIBLE, is now in ruins due to the greed and evil that runs it.

What we do in life, echoes in eternity

The best revenge if to be not like the man who did the injury

And just like that the movie soothes my rage. It speaks to me in many ways, and as I watched Lucius grow out of his pain, to become the Emperor of Rome that he truly is, I am healed.

A man can choose to fight a stay alive; same in life as in the arena.

With this too, I choose to fight and stay alive.

Starting with this blog, let's cross the river, and find our purpose!

Be happy, everyone.