Mathieson Criticizes Ridley Scott's Filmmaking Style

In a recent podcast, cinematographer John Mathieson criticized director Ridley Scott's current filmmaking style as 'lazy', specifically regarding the production of 'Gladiator II'. Mathieson, who has worked with Scott on multiple films, claims that the director's reliance on multiple cameras and a rushed shooting schedule has adversely affected the quality of cinematography. He noted that Scott's approach leads to a heavy dependence on post-production to rectify mistakes, detracting from the immersive quality seen in Scott's earlier works. Despite these criticisms, 'Gladiator II' has received positive reviews and boasts ambitious production values, featuring extensive set designs that recreate ancient Rome. The film picks up 16 years after the original, focusing on themes of revenge and political intrigue, although some reviewers find the character development lacking compared to its predecessor. Overall, 'Gladiator II' remains an entertaining spectacle, though it does not quite match the artistic impact of the original.