Strength and honour are the order of the day in Gladiator II, Ridley Scott's mind-meltingly massive follow-up to his Oscar-winning masterpiece Gladiator (2000). Aftersun sensation Paul Mescal steps into Russell Crowe's sandals to play Lucius Verus, the former blue blood turned gladiatorial slave who seeks vengeance against the Roman army that enslaved him.
Lucius' journey is rendered on exactly the kind of epic canvas we've come to expect from Scott. From the soaring arches of the Colosseum to the blood-stained intimacy of the one-on-one battles with rampaging wild animals, Gladiator II radiates physicality and ferocity. The 86-year-old Scott's penchant for world-building, celebrated in the likes of The Duellists, Alien, Blade Runner and Kingdom of Heaven, as well as the original Gladiator, is on full display, transporting audiences back in time nearly 2,000 years.
Then there's the cast, which is studded with new and familiar faces. Connie Nielsen reprises her role as Lucius' mother Lucilla, Pedro Pascal plays the conflicted General Acacuius while Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger play the despotic Emperors Geta and Caracella. Still, it's Denzel Washington who should be preparing for awards attention: his role as the Machiavellian slave owner turned tyrant in the making Macrinus is nothing less than Shakespearean in its conception.
Washington's performance underpins most of the rave responses from the critics. The reviews embargo has now lifted so scroll down to get a sampling of the reactions before booking your tickets at the end of this post.
There's a majestic sense of scale
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter: "In terms of brutal spectacle, elaborate period reconstruction, and vigorous set pieces requiring complex choreography, the sequel delivers what fans of its Oscar-winning 2000 predecessor will crave — battles, swordplay, bloodshed, Ancient Roman intrigue."
Caryn James, BBC.com: "Full of spectacle and spectacular performances, Gladiator II is by far the best popcorn film of the year... Under its crowd-pleasing surface, though, the film's theme of political power, of who wields it and how, is strong and purposeful, even if Scott cagily weaves it into the colourful show."
Ridley Scott has lost none of his flair for immersive entertainment
Chris Evangelista, Slashfilm: "Gladiator 2 is sturdy, solid, enjoyable blockbuster filmmaking; another testament to the fact that even at 86 years old, Ridley Scott is still one of the best of the best, a skilled entertainer who knows how to deliver the goods."
Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly: "With Gladiator II, [Scott] reminds us why, at 86, he's still one of the most invigorating filmmakers around... Scott's sequel is the epitome of an epic, its towering sets, opulent costumes, and bustling crowd scenes bringing Ancient Rome to life in all its excess. He offers audiences a glistening feast for the eyes (and, yes, that includes the toned physiques of his leading men)."
Edward Douglas, The Weekend Warrior: "Scott is clearly a better filmmaker now than he was 25 years ago, and that shows in every scene in Gladiator II... Gladiator 2 looks spectacular, with Scott working with many of his talented creative collaborators from the past few decades. The big below-the-line star for the film is four-time Oscar nominated Production Designer Arthur Max and his team, who help make every set-up shot really jump out."
Paul Mescal is an effective, muscular substitute for Russell Crowe
Giovanni Lago, Next Best Picture: "Paul Mescal steps up to the movie star demands of this project, providing a performance that balances the physical necessities of the character with the indie sensibilities for which he’s known."
Owen Gleiberman, Variety: "Mescal has something that works for the movie — he projects not revenge but a shaggy rugged nobility, the idealism that will make Lucius the potential savior of Rome."
Chris Wasser, Irish Independent: "Mescal works hard, and it’s an interesting turn – edgy, soulful and quietly powerful, and I can’t think of another performer who might have done a better job with the role."
Denzel Washington steals the show
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian: "As the slave-owner and slave-trainer, Denzel Washington inherits Oliver Reed’s role; he plays the cunning and ambitious Macrinus, who plans to parlay his warlord status into political power, a Roman Yevgeny Prigozhin.
In fact, Washington almost steals the entire picture as Macrinus shrewdly exploits the gambling addiction of Tim McInnerny’s weak and duplicitous Senator Thraex. It is Washington who gets the line that might yet be this film’s social-media meme as he hisses into Thraex’s cringing face: “That, my friend, is politicsssssss – ah!”
Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post: "You have to go back a long way to find the Fences actor taking such delight in a role. His Macrinus is sleazy and seductive, angelic then unhinged. The actor, clearly loving every second, delivers his lines in a strange singsong cadence that makes you laugh and draws you in.
"Here, Washington exemplifies 'leave them wanting more.' The title may be Gladiator II, but that’s only because audiences haven’t met Macrinus yet."
Pete Hammond, Deadline: "Washington is superb, clearly having a blast as this complex villain looking for power at any cost."
Clarisse Loughrey, The Independent: "Washington takes pure, delicious revelry in the spoken word. David Scarpa’s script has its weak spots, but the actor treats it like Shakespeare, somehow discovering iambic pentameter where it doesn’t exist. He speaks in symphonies, drinks in power like wine, and, recognising the exquisite beauty of Janty Yates and David Crossman’s costumes, does some tremendous sleeve acting."
If you find yourself alone, witnessing an epic spectacle unfolding in front of you then do not be troubled, because it means you're experiencing Gladiator II at Cineworld. Book your tickets via the link below.
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