The reviews forGladiator IIare flooding in, with critics revealing their key takeaways from the sequel, comparing it to the original, and providing it with its own Rotten Tomatoes score.Gladiator IIpicks up almost two decades after theending ofGladiator, with Paul Mescal portraying an older Lucius Verus. Given the intense love that has blossomed for the firstGladiatorsince its release, the anticipation for the sequel was one of cautious optimism.Gladiator II’s ensemble castis fantastic, but whether the movie could live up to its predecessor was a common concern.
Years after its original announcement,Gladiator II’s release dateis finally here as audiences and critics from around the world experience the next chapter of Ridley Scott’s swords-and-sandals epic. Although thehistorical accuracy ofGladiatorandGladiator IIhave often been points of contention, the former is beloved worldwide and many are hoping the latter recreates this, 24 years later. With the reviews forGladiator IIfinally being released, audiences can gauge how the movie is being received, from its Rotten Tomatoes score to its similarities and differences from its predecessor and the standout aspects of Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel.
Are Gladiator 2’s Reviews Actually Good?
Gladiator 2’s Reviews Are Certainly Positive
Expectedly, the burning question asGladiator II’s first reviews were revealed is simply whether they were good. There is seemingly nothing to worry about for those wanting them to be. On the whole,Gladiator IIis being received positively. As of the time of writing,Gladiator IIcurrently holds a 76% critical approval rating on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. This means that 76% of the critics who have logged a professional review of the film gave it a positive rating.
Overall, this is a positive rating for any movie to hold. WhereGladiator IIis concerned, however, this can be seen as an incredibly positive score. After all, the film had the pressure of having to live up to a beloved original film, meaning the tolerance many would have had for the film was smaller. Thankfully, this proved not to matter withGladiator IIreceiving positive reactions from the majority of critics, proving Ridley Scott’s venture back into ancient Rome to be a worthy one.
Gladiator 2 Doesn’t Beat The Original Movie - But Its RT Score Almost Matches It
Naturally,Gladiator IIwill face many comparisons to the originalGladiator, from the movies themselves to how both are or were received. Regarding their critical scores on Rotten Tomatoes, the movies are proving more similar than first thought. The originalGladiatorholds a 79% rating on the website, withGladiator II’s aforementioned score of 76% clocking in at only 3% less. This tracks with the individual reviews for the 2024 film, with many - including Damien Straker ofImpulse Gamer- outwardly statingGladiator IIis not as good as Scott’s original.
When looking at the average score of each film on Rotten Tomatoes,Gladiator II’s 6.8/10 falls belowGladiator’s 7.1/10, explaining how the positive percentage can be similar despite the former film being deemed inferior.
Abe Friedtanzer ofAwards Buzzechoes this, giving the film a positive review despite stating thatGladiator IIis"nowhere near as potent or memorable as its predecessor.“The review posted onJoBlo’s Movie Networkincludes a similar sentiment, insisting that, while still a blast,Gladiator IIis"not the instant classic the original was.“Both the negative and positive reviews ofGladiator IIseem to mostly agree on this point, which may not be reflected by its Rotten Tomatoes score.
Gladiator 2 Is Partly A Remake Of The Original Movie
Gladiator II Uses Similar Plot & Character Elements Of Its Predecessor
A common opinion that seems to permeate most reviews ofGladiator IIis that the film reuses many elements of the original.Screen Rant’s own reviewremarks that"Gladiator II stays in the shadow of the first film,“with many other reviews published sharing this view.CBRstates thatGladiator II’s main difference from the 2000 movie is that"it doesn’t even try to innovate itself.“The AU Reviewsays something similar, claiming thatGladiator II’s narrative is often indistinguishable from its predecessor.
Gladiator 2 Feels More Like A Stealth Remake Than A Sequel To Me
The trailer for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 has gotten me very excited, though the way it mirrors the original makes it feel like a stealth remake.
Jeff Nelson fromGuy at the Movieswas less positive aboutGladiator IIas a whole, linked to the film’s lack of originality:“Gladiator II is a rehash of its predecessor that entertains on the Colosseum grounds but falls narratively flat.“The Film Stagereiterates this, insisting that”[Ridley] Scott follows the formula of the first to a tee.“Evidently, it seems as though the 2024 sequel is what many assumed it would be: a stealth remake with some new elements. Nonetheless, the film is apparently entertaining enough as this, which answers Maximus' age-oldiconicGladiatorquote, innovative or not.
Denzel Washington Steals The Show
Washington Stands Tall Above His Costars
Perhaps the most common consensus regardingGladiator IIsurrounds one singular performance: Denzel Washington’s as Macrinus. An actor of Washington’s caliber being cast in the sequel to a beloved classic was always going to raise eyebrows, and it proved a masterstroke by Scott. Washington was always expected to be good, but many reviews single him out asGladiator II’s standout performance, so much so that it would be impossible to include each one here.
Several reviews give Washington the sole credit for the film’s success, withCasey’s Movie Maniastating that"Denzel Washington’s scene-stealing performance elevates this entertainingly operatic sequel.“The Curbechoes this, telling readers to"Thank whatever gods you do or don’t pray to for the inclusion of Macrinus and Denzel Washington.“Vital Thrillsdescribes Washington’s performance as gleefully anarchic, whilePaste Magazinecalls it hammy enough to almost justify Scott’s decision to make aGladiatorsequel.
This praise for Washington has led to calls for him to receive a third Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor…
The praise for Washington’s performance as Macrinus only continues, with many claiming the character to be the driving point ofGladiator II’s plot.Screen Rant’s review insists that"Washington delivers a magnetic turn that steals the entire film,“proving him to be the fulcrum of the story. This praise for Washington has led to calls for him to receive a third Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a reality that looks increasingly likely afterGladiator II’s reviews.
Gladiator 2 Delivers In Terms Of Action & Spectacle
As is to be expected from a Ridley Scott film,Gladiator IIreportedly delivers on the action front. A word that is a common recurrence in most reviews for the film is “spectacle,” withGladiator IIbeing listed as such by outlets includingPunch Drunk Critics,Geek Vibes Nation,BBC,andThe Hollywood Reporter.Culture Mixstates that"this action sequel delivers the expected epic battle scenes,“withFiring the Canondescribing it as having"a bravura sense of scale only studio epics have ever managed.”EvenGladiator II’s negative reviews state it is big, loud, and epic in scope.
Gladiator 2 Is Ridley Scott’s Return To Form
Ridley Scott’s Divisive Run Is Over (For Now)
Although Ridley Scott is one of the most acclaimed, popular filmmakers in Hollywood, the director has had a divisive run in the 2010s and 2020s. Of his recent movies, onlyThe Last Duelcan be counted as one with widespread acclaim. Other efforts, likeHouse of Gucci, Napoleon, Alien: Covenant, The Counselor,andExodus: Gods and Kingshave ranged from just okay or divisive to outright negatively received. WithGladiator II, however,Scott reportedly returns to what he used to do best, providing a swords-and-sandals epic that is commonly referred to as his best sinceThe Martian.
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Exodus: Gods and Kings
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All the Money in the World
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76%
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GamesRadar+insists that while not Ridley Scott’s best movie,Gladiator IImarks a notable return to form and that"he still has the cinematic power to visually engage and excite audiences.“Julian Roman ofMovieWebreiterates this:“Ridley Scott returns to bloody greatness with an ass-kicking sword and sandals sequel.“Finally,Zach Pope Reviewsemphatically claimed thatGladiator II"made me a believer in Ridley Scott again!”
Paul Mescal Has A Great Starring Performance…
Washington Isn’t The Only Impressive Cast Member
As alluded to, Denzel Washington is getting a great deal of praise for his performance, yet so too isGladiator II’s Paul Mescal as Lucius. Mescal was cast as Lucius when the film entered production, replacing Spencer Treat Clark from the first movie. Overall, Mescal’s performance is receiving a lot of acclaim, despite not reaching the same heights as Washington as Macrinus.Big Gold Belt Mediakicks this off, stating that the film has a lot going for it"with standout performances from Denzel to Paul Mescal.”
Why Gladiator 2 Recast Lucius
Gladiator 2 turns the story to focus on Lucius, but the sequel recasts the original actor Spencer Treat Clark with Paul Mescal replacing him.
Zach Pope Reviewsmentions that"Paul Mescal is PHENOMENAL,“whileThe Sunday Independent- from Mescal’s home country of Ireland - states that"Mescal works hard, and it’s an interesting turn.“The same outlet goes on to describe Mescal as edgy, soulful, and quietly powerful, all while claiming that there may not be many other performers who could have done better in the role.Awards Watchalso gives Mescal high praise, insisting he"is a worthy successor to the throne.”
FILMINKand MovieWeb also praised Mescal’s performance, stating that"Mescal offers gravitas, charisma, muscularity, sensitivity, and bruising bravado"and"Mescal is a bona fide star,“respectively.
But Can’t Live Up To Russell Crowe’s Maximus
Despite the praise being aimed at Mescal, it remains the case that many reviews agree he - andGladiator IIas a whole - struggle to fill the void left by Russell Crowe’sMaximus Decimus Meridius fromGladiator.Collider’s review states that"Mescal’s character simply doesn’t have the opportunity to build to the same emotional levels as Maximus did,“for instance.Movie Markerdeclares that, whileGladiator IIcompensates with its action and spectacle, the movie"may indeed lack Maximus.“Finally,THR’s review states that"Gladiator II might not have a protagonist with the scorching glower of Crowe’s Maximus…”
All of these snippets prove just how difficult it was going to be to replace Crowe and Maximus. The character has since become one of the more iconic in film history since the release ofGladiatorin 2000, givingGladiator IIsomewhat of an insurmountable task in providing a new, equally compelling protagonist. That said, the fact that Mescal is still receiving widespread acclaim for his performance proves its strength, as it manages to elevate the film as a whole, albeit without removing Maximus from audiences' minds completely.
Gladiator 2 Doesn’t Have The Same Emotional Weight As Its Predecessor
Custom Image by Max Ruscinski
The last main takeout fromGladiator II’s reviews is that, while almost as good as its predecessor, it lacks the same emotional weight the original possessed. Carla Hay of the aforementionedCulture Mixclaims that"Gladiator II is not as emotionally gripping as 2000’s Gladiator,“withImpulse Gamerechoing this sentiment:“It looks strong but lacks emotion.“Then there isDiscussing Film,with this outlet remarking that"Gladiator II doesn’t reach the same emotional heights as the original movie.”
Digital Spyboth sums up this point as well asGladiator II’s overall perception, claiming that"If you can get past the lack of emotional punch and connection with its characters, Gladiator 2 is a terrifically fun watch.“This seems to be the consensus for Ridley Scott’s sequel; while there may be some elements that do not quite match the greatness ofGladiator, there are many things to love inGladiator II. For anyone who was a fan of the original movie, this will come as a relief, as anticipation makes way for entertainment amid a return to the Colosseum.
Gladiator II
Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow-up to Ridley Scott’s award-winning film Gladiator from 2000. Scott returns to direct the sequel, with Paul Mescal staring as Lucius, alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta. Gladiator 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script written by David Scarpa finally moved forward.
