Are you not entertained?! Despite delivering an epic return to the Roman Colosseum, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II landed in second place at the box office with a strong $55 million domestic opening.
The highly anticipated sequel, boasting an all-star cast including Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Pedro Pascal, thrilled audiences with its intense action and high-stakes drama.
But even the might of ancient Rome wasn’t enough to dethrone the musical magic of Wicked, which claimed the top spot.
With its solid debut, Gladiator II proves it’s still a box office contender, even if it’s not wearing the crown this weekend.
Read our review of the film below.
‘Gladiator II’ Review
There’s no formula for crafting the perfect movie.
Directors, writers, talent, and crew must work in unison and at their best to create something remarkable.
But when it comes to a classic? Well, the planets have to align.
Those movies resonate with audiences on a grand level.
Performances leave you speechless and in awe.
Classics are as elusive as a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, but every now and then, a film earns that status.
Many people regard Gladiator as transcendent. Top-tier acting from Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and Connie Nielsen. Elaborate set design. Emotional plot and dialogue.
It swept five Oscars, including Best Picture, and Crowe snagged Best Actor.
A cinematic juggernaut, Gladiator stood tall while others paled in comparison. It wasn’t just a milliliter; it was a kilo!
Now, 24 years later, legendary director Ridley Scott is back with Gladiator II, aiming to recapture that glory.
Good luck, Sir Ridley. Is this sequel a champion, or does it need to be fed to the lions? Let’s go!
Weee are the champions, my friiieeends… Okay, enough singing. Gladiator II boasts an ensemble cast featuring Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen.
Directed once again by the incomparable Ridley Scott, the sequel takes place 16 years after Maximus’ (Crowe) death.
The opening is as epic as it gets: a violent battle between Lucius’ (Mescal) warriors and General Acacius’ (Pascal) troops.
The chaos sets the stage for a story filled with revenge, betrayal, and benevolence. Oh, and action—lots and lots of action.
While we love combat sequences, decapitations, and general mayhem, the story is what ultimately determines if this film will rival its predecessor. The action? Intense. The story? Uh…
Let me start by saying Denzel Washington absolutely steals the show. His character, Macrinus, is power-hungry and will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
A cunning and cerebral figure, Macrinus’ charm draws you in, but his manipulation keeps you wary. Pascal delivers a stellar performance as well.
His General Acacius is devoted to Rome and its prosperity, though his role as a military leader limits his authority.
Nielsen reprises her role as Lucilla, Maximus’ former lover. Her character holds a discovery that could change everything, making her arc intriguing.
Sadly, the main character, Lucius, falls flat—not because of Paul Mescal’s performance, but due to the writing.
While he shows emotional depth, the character doesn’t soar like Maximus did in the original.
And then we have the co-emperor brothers, Geta and Caracalla.
Historically, Rome had some eccentric rulers, but these two feel over-the-top, more like caricatures than compelling antagonists. Their squabbling and ridiculous antics make you wonder how Rome even functioned under their reign.
The action sequences are plentiful, gruesome, and sometimes downright unbelievable.
The fight scenes in this sequel make the original look like a warm-up. Good lord! When the Roman Colosseum lets baboons, rhinos, and sharks (yes, sharks!) loose on humans, it’s wild enough to justify the price of admission.
However, the special effects don’t always hit the mark, and some of the CGI-heavy scenes suffer for it. Given the reported $210 to $310 million budget, how did that happen?
Questionable camera angles also had me scratching my head—there were one or two moments that felt straight out of a Tubi movie.
The second act dragged on longer than necessary, and while the final scene aimed to pay homage, it felt unnecessary.
So, is it a good film? Yes. Is it better than Gladiator? Not even close.
I’m giving Gladiator II a strong Morning/Midday Co-sign.
Go in the evening if you prefer, but see it in IMAX for the action alone.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! I’ll leave that for you to decide.
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