In a stunning return to the world of Ancient Rome, legendary director Ridley Scott has delivered a blockbuster sequel that is “by far the best popcorn film of the year,” according to one enamored critic. Gladiator II picks up the story 15 years after the events of the original Oscar-winning film, and critics are hailing it as a thrilling, spectacle-filled epic.
The film’s mesmerizing center is Paul Mescal, who steps into the role of Lucius, the son of Russell Crowe’s beloved character Maximus from the first Gladiator. Mescal, known for his nuanced performances in shows like Normal People, brings a gritty intensity to the part, serving as a “counterintuitive choice” that pays off handsomely.
“Mescal is the mesmerizing center of the film, holding it together with the same power and magnetism Russell Crowe brought to the original,” raves BBC critic Caryn James. She notes that while the sequel has a less perfect balance between emotion and action compared to the first film, it “comes close enough.”
The plot of Gladiator II finds Lucius having grown into manhood in the African territory of Numidia, only to be thrust back into the dangerous world of Rome when General Pedro Pascal as Marcus Acacius lays siege to his homeland. Captured and sold into slavery, Lucius is forced to become a gladiator, setting the stage for an epic confrontation with the demented, power-hungry co-emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).
Stepping into the villainous role of Macrinus, a wealthy businessman and owner of gladiators, is none other than the legendary Denzel Washington, who critics say nearly steals the entire film with his “gusto and over-the-top delivery.”
“Washington approaches the role with absolute gusto and over-the-top delivery as Macrinus schemes for power. But at times he pulls the performance back enough to reveal the canniness beneath that brash persona,” writes The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney.
While some reviewers perceived the film as a rehash of the original Gladiator, others found Scott’s masterful direction of the sweeping action sequences and epic scope to be truly captivating. The Colosseum scenes, including a sea battle reenacted in the flooded arena and a clash with vicious baboons, are described as having a “hallucinatory quality.”
As The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw puts it, even if Gladiator II is “little more than a cover song,” it’s “a majestic and malicious one that reaffirms its maker’s unparalleled gift for grandiosity.”
Beneath the film’s crowd-pleasing exterior, critics also noted a strong thematic current exploring the corrupting nature of political power. Lucius questions the Roman Empire’s treatment of its heroes; the film serves as a pointed commentary on contemporary political issues.
“If we don’t watch it, we’re getting worse,” Scott told The New York Times, adding that he tried to keep that theme “in the forefront” of the film.
With its heady blend of emotional drama, social commentary, and jaw-dropping action, Gladiator II seems poised to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor as a cinematic event. As Empire magazine’s Boyd Hilton aptly puts it, “it’s a hell of a ride.”
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original or a newcomer to the world of Gladiator, this epic sequel is shaping up to be a must-see theatrical experience. As one critic proclaimed, it’s “by far the best popcorn film of the year.” All hail the return of the gladiator.