A cinematographer criticized Sir Ridley Scott for his ‘lazy’ way of making films in Gladiator 2.

Renowned director Ridley Scott has recently come under fire from his longtime collaborator, cinematographer John Mathieson. In an interview on the DocFix podcast, Mathieson expressed his concerns about Scott's alleged laziness and impatience on set. This has sparked a debate about the evolution of Scott's filmmaking style, with fans and critics weighing in on the director's recent work.

Mathieson, who has worked with Scott on both the original Gladiator and its sequel, Gladiator 2, spoke about the director's preference for speed over precision. "He's quite impatient, so he likes to get as much as he can at once," Mathieson revealed. He also mentioned Scott's reliance on multiple cameras, which, according to the cinematographer, has resulted in a decline in the artistry and attention to detail that were once hallmarks of Scott's films.

"It's really lazy," Mathieson boldly stated. "It's the CG [computer graphic] elements now of tidying-up, leaving things in shot, cameras in shot, microphones in shot, bits of set hanging down, shadows from booms. And they just said [on Gladiator 2], 'Well, clean it up.'" He accused Scott of sacrificing artistry for efficiency, a departure from the depth and care seen in the director's earlier works.

This shift in Scott's methodology has drawn mixed reactions. While some fans remain loyal to the director's work, others agree with Mathieson that the newer films lack the careful craftsmanship of Scott's classics like Alien and Blade Runner.

Mathieson also compared Scott's current filmmaking to shopping in bulk: "It is this thing of 'generally covering stuff' rather than me being the cook cooking you something wonderful in my kitchen downstairs. You just go to the supermarket and get one of those really big trolleys and just put your arm on the shelf and just chuck all that stuff in, and we'll sort it out later."

Despite these critiques, Scott's films continue to draw audiences, with Gladiator 2 and Napoleon both generating significant buzz. However, reviews for both have been mixed. Despite this, Gladiator 2 and other recent releases have reinvigorated the box office. While the "Glicked" effect – a term coined to describe the pairing of Gladiator 2 and Wicked – hasn't matched the cultural phenomenon of last year's Barbenheimer, both films have achieved impressive ticket sales.

Whether Scott's evolving approach is a natural progression or a detriment to his artistry, one thing is certain: the legendary director remains a dominant force in Hollywood. Despite the criticism, his films continue to draw audiences and generate buzz. As we eagerly await his next project, it is clear that Scott's impact on the film industry will continue for years to come.

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