Gladiator II: Critics Split On Sequel’s Epic Scope And Fiery Performances
The first reviews for Gladiator II, Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel to his 2000 classic, are here, and critics have a lot to say about this new chapter in the Roman epic. The film, which stars Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington, debuted on review sites with a 67 on Metacritic and an 84% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, signaling generally favorable feedback. But critics have mixed opinions, ranging from admiration for its powerful performances to disappointment with the storyline.
David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter praised Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, describing him as “magnetic as always.” David also applauded Denzel’s role as Macrinus, a scheming politician, saying that the actor “brings blinding charisma, steely authority, and sly humor to the role.”
He also noted that while Gladiator II lacks the “scorching glower” of Russell Crowe’s Maximus, the movie compensates with “eye-popping spectacle and operatic violence.”
On the more critical side, Alison Willmore from Vulture found Gladiator II “underwhelming.” She pointed to what she felt were weaknesses in Paul’s speeches, saying that he is”terrible at giving the rousing speeches that were so iconic in Gladiator.”
Allison went as far as to comment that “you might leave thinking, ‘Huh, maybe masculinity really is in crisis.'” She felt the film’s script lacked the finesse of the original, noting, “Sure, not all of us spend a lot of time thinking about the Roman Empire, but those who do deserve better than this.”
IndieWire’s Vikram Murthi also gave a mixed review, saying that while the sequel aims for epic scale, it lacks the “old-fashioned magic” of the original. However, he highlighted Pedro Pascal’s brief role as a conflicted Roman general, saying Pascal “stands out largely because his character… is the most conflicted and dynamic. Naturally, he’s barely in the film.”
Not all critics were disappointed, though. Pete Hammond from Deadline had high praise for the movie’s theatrical appeal, referring to it as “the movie IMAX was invented to show.”
Pete admired Paul’s physical and emotional presence as Lucius, describing it as “muscular and compelling.” He even compared Mescal’s performance to Kirk Douglas in Spartacus. Connie Nielsen’s return as Lucilla also drew praise, with Pete calling her reprise a “powerful presence.”
Siddhant Adlakha from Inverse offered a more intense take, describing the film as “a darker, more vicious film for a darker, more vicious time” and comparing it to today’s complex political landscape. Siddhant was particularly impressed with Denzel, noting, “Denzel lights the screen ablaze with his Shakespearean delivery and campy, two-faced façade, switching between devious scowls and devilish grins.” He added that the actor’s portrayal is “a deliciously self-assured performance from an actor at the height of his abilities.”
