Gladiator II
The reviews forGladiator IIare flooding in , with critic revealing their primal takeaway from the sequel , comparing it to the original , and provide it with its own Rotten Tomatoes score . Gladiator IIpicks up almost two decades after theending ofGladiator , with Paul Mescal portraying an aged Lucius Verus . give the intense love that has blossom out for the firstGladiatorsince its release , the anticipation for the subsequence was one of conservative optimism . Gladiator II ’s ensemble castis fantastic , but whether the moving picture could live up to its predecessor was a plebeian concern .
Years after its original promulgation , Gladiator II ’s release dateis finally here as audience and critic from around the world experience the next chapter of Ridley Scott ’s brand - and - sandals epic . Although thehistorical truth ofGladiatorandGladiator IIhave often been gunpoint of contention , the former is beloved worldwide and many are hoping the latter repair this , 24 year later on . With the reviews forGladiator IIfinally being liberate , audiences can estimate how the pic is being received , from its Rotten Tomatoes score to its similarities and difference from its forerunner 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 let out is only whether they were sound . There is ostensibly nothing to worry about for those wanting them to be . On the whole , Gladiator IIis being welcome positively . As of the clip of composition , Gladiator IIcurrently holds a 76 % critical favourable reception military rating on the review collector site Rotten Tomatoes . This mean that 76 % of the critic who have logged a professional review of the film gave it a electropositive rating .
Overall , this is a positive rating for any movie to hold . WhereGladiator IIis concerned , however , this can be seen as an unbelievably overconfident score . After all , the film had the pressure of have to live up to a darling original moving picture , mean the tolerance many would have had for the flick was smaller . Thankfully , this shew not to matter withGladiator IIreceiving positive reactions from the majority of critics , prove Ridley Scott ’s venture back into ancient Rome to be a desirable one .
Gladiator 2 Doesn’t Beat The Original Movie - But Its RT Score Almost Matches It
course , Gladiator IIwill face many comparisons to the originalGladiator , from the movies themselves to how both are or were received . Regarding their decisive gobs on Rotten Tomatoes , the movies are rise more exchangeable than first intellection . 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 private review for the 2024 film , with many - including Damien Straker ofImpulse Gamer- outwardly statingGladiator trey not as good as Scott ’s master .
When look 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 positively charged percentage can be similar despite the former celluloid being deemed inferior .
Abe Friedtanzer ofAwards Buzzechoes this , give the film a positive reexamination despite stating thatGladiator IIis"nowhere near as potent or memorable as its predecessor . “The review posted onJoBlo ’s Movie Networkincludes a similar persuasion , insist that , while still a blast , Gladiator IIis"not the instant classic the original was . “Both the negative and positive review article ofGladiator IIseem to mostly agree on this point , which may not be reflected by its Rotten Tomatoes musical score .
Gladiator 2 Is Partly A Remake Of The Original Movie
Gladiator II Uses Similar Plot & Character Elements Of Its Predecessor
A common persuasion that seems to permeate most reviews ofGladiator IIis that the motion-picture show reuses many elements of the original . Screen Rant ’s own reviewremarks that"Gladiator II remain in the shadow of the first film,“with many other reviews issue share this survey . CBRstates thatGladiator II ’s main difference from the 2000 picture is that"it does n’t even endeavor to innovate itself . “The AU Reviewsays something similar , claim thatGladiator II ’s tale is often undistinguishable from its harbinger .
The prevue for Ridley Scott ’s Gladiator 2 has gotten me very excited , though the manner it mirrors the original make it feel like a stealth remaking .
Jeff Nelson fromGuy at the Movieswas less positivistic aboutGladiator IIas a whole , tie to the cinema ’s lack of originality:“Gladiator II is a rehash of its predecessor that entertains on the Colosseum reason but falls narratively savourless . “The Film Stagereiterates this , insisting that”[Ridley ] Scott follows the normal of the first to a tee . “Evidently , it seems as though the 2024 sequel is what many acquire it would be : a stealth remake with some new element . still , the film is apparently entertaining enough as this , which answer Maximus ' long time - oldiconicGladiatorquote , innovative or not .
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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 doer of Washington ’s caliber being mould in the sequel to a darling classic was always go to raise eyebrows , and it prove a masterstroke by Scott . Washington was always expected to be good , but many review article 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 - steal performance elevates this entertainingly operatic continuation . “The Curbechoes this , telling referee to"Thank whatever gods you do or do n’t pray to for the comprehension of Macrinus and Denzel Washington . “Vital Thrillsdescribes Washington ’s performance as joyously lawless , whilePaste Magazinecalls it hammy enough to almost justify Scott ’s decision to make aGladiatorsequel .
This praise for Washington has lead to call for him to receive a third Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor …
Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook
The praise for Washington ’s performance as Macrinus only preserve , with many claiming the type to be the driving point ofGladiator II ’s plot . Screen Rant ’s followup insists that"Washington delivers a magnetic go that steals the entire film,“proving him to be the fulcrum of the storey . This praise for Washington has led to calls for him to receive a third Academy Award nominating speech for Best Supporting Actor , a realism that looks more and more likely afterGladiator II ’s reviews .
Gladiator 2 Delivers In Terms Of Action & Spectacle
As is to be expect from a Ridley Scott moving-picture show , Gladiator IIreportedly delivers on the action front . A word that is a common recurrence in most reviews for the cinema is " spectacle , " withGladiator IIbeing listed as such by outlets includingPunch Drunk Critics , Geek Vibes Nation , BBC , andThe Hollywood newsperson . civilization Mixstates that"this action sequel deliver the expected epic battle scenes,“withFiring the Canondescribing it as having"a bravura sentience of scale only studio heroic poem have ever managed . ”EvenGladiator II ’s negative review state it is bragging , meretricious , 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 , pop filmmakers in Hollywood , the manager has had a divisive run in the 2010s and 2020s . Of his recent movies , onlyThe Last Duelcan be counted as one with far-flung plaudit . Other efforts , likeHouse of Gucci , Napoleon , Alien : Covenant , The Counselor , andExodus : Gods and Kingshave roll from just okay or divisive to outright negatively receive . WithGladiator II , however , Scott reportedly riposte to what he used to do well , providing a swords - and - sandals epic that is ordinarily consult to as his best sinceThe Martian .
Ridley Scott - Directed Movies Of The 2010s & 2020s
Rotten Tomatoes Critical Score
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Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
Prometheus
73 %
68 %
The counsellor
33 %
Custom Image by Sophie Evans
24 %
hegira : immortal and king
30 %
35 %
The Martian
91 %
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exotic : Covenant
65 %
55 %
All the Money in the World
79 %
The Last Duel
85 %
81 %
House of Gucci
62 %
83 %
Napoleon
58 %
59 %
76 %
N / A
GamesRadar+insists that while not Ridley Scott ’s best movie , Gladiator IImarks a notable return to form and that"he still has the cinematic mogul to visually take and excite audiences . “Julian Roman ofMovieWebreiterates this:“Ridley Scott returns to bally greatness with an ass - boot sword and sandals sequel . “Finally , Zach Pope Reviewsemphatically claimed thatGladiator II"made me a truster 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 commence a heavy deal of praise for his performance , yet so too isGladiator II ’s Paul Mescal as Lucius . Mescal was sick as Lucius when the picture show entered production , replacing Spencer Treat Clark from the first motion picture . Overall , Mescal ’s operation is receiving a tidy sum of acclaim , despite not reaching the same heights as Washington as Macrinus . Big Gold Belt Mediakicks this off , state that the photographic film has a lot lead for it"with standout carrying into action from Denzel to Paul Mescal . "
Gladiator 2 turns the account to focus on Lucius , but the sequel recast 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 place rural area of Ireland - states that"Mescal mold hard , and it ’s an interesting turn . “The same outlet goes on to describe Mescal as edgy , soulful , and quietly herculean , all while claiming that there may not be many other performers who could have done well in the role . awarding Watchalso gives Mescal high praise , insisting he"is a suitable successor to the throne . "
FILMINKand MovieWeb also praise Mescal ’s carrying out , stating that"Mescal offers gravitas , personal magnetism , vigor , predisposition , and bruising bravado"and"Mescal is a bona fide star,“respectively .
But Can’t Live Up To Russell Crowe’s Maximus
Despite the kudos being aim at Mescal , it remains the case that many review agree he - andGladiator IIas a whole - battle to fulfill the void give by Russell Crowe’sMaximus Decimus Meridius fromGladiator . Collider ’s review states that"Mescal ’s character only does n’t have the opportunity to establish to the same excited level 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 province that"Gladiator II might not have a protagonist with the scorch glower of Crowe ’s Maximus … "
All of these snip try out just how difficult it was go 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 insuperable labor in providing a young , equally compelling protagonist . That said , the fact that Mescal is still receiving widespread acclaim for his performance proves its strong suit , as it manages to elevate the film as a whole , albeit without remove Maximus from audience ' mind completely .
Gladiator 2 Doesn’t Have The Same Emotional Weight As Its Predecessor
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The last main takeout fromGladiator II ’s reviews is that , while almost as good as its precursor , it lack the same emotional weight the original possessed . Carla Hay of the aforementionedCulture Mixclaims that"Gladiator II is not as emotionally grapple 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 does n’t reach the same emotional heights as the original moving-picture show . "
Digital Spyboth sums up this item as well asGladiator II ’s overall perceptual experience , take that"If you could get past the lack of aroused slug 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 fit the greatness ofGladiator , there are many things to love inGladiator II . For anyone who was a buff of the original movie , this will come as a relief , as anticipation makes means for entertainment amid a return to the Colosseum .
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Cast
Gladiator 2 is the follow - up to Ridley Scott ’s award - winning film Gladiator from 2000 . Scott come back to direct the subsequence , with Paul Mescal stare as Lucius , alongside Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn as the villain Emperor Geta . prizefighter 2 had been stuck in development hell for years before a script compose by David Scarpa finally travel forrader .
