Gladiator II (2024/2025) – Detailed Review
Director: Ridley Scott
Screenwriter: David Scarpa (story by Scarpa and Peter Craig)
Length: 148 minutes
Rating: R (intense bloody violence)
Gladiator 2 The trailer does not do this movie justice. Ignore any negative reviews. Absolutely incredible must watch movie – finishes the story. There are only a few movies that really really grab you: Gladiator 1, The Patriot, Man of Steel, Shawshank Redemption, etc. and now I include Gladiator 2 on that list.
I will add comments from various social media platforms in the last part of the post.
But to my take on the Movie, I try hard not to just compare #2 to #1 while watching, but they make it hard not to. This is very much a sequel, almost a remake. Flashbacks, similar scenes, the same music – they kept coming back to the first movie. So you end up comparing this new movie to the epic film Ghost Warrior, and of course it loses. But it’s not entirely a bad thing and it’s still worth watching.
Gladiator II compared to the original
The “game” of the Colosseum was fantastic, and yes, there were indeed exotic animals and water fights in Roman times. The twin emperors were insane and, although different from the first emperor Commodus, equally dangerous. Connie Nielson provides first-rate casting continuity and does an excellent job playing the older but more influential Lucilla.
I was initially disappointed with Paul Mescal’s performance, but in hindsight I now wonder if it was the character rather than his performance that was disappointing. Hanno is no Maximus—not a leader of men, not a charismatic warrior—in fact, he tells the same story several times in the film. But maybe that’s Scott’s point this time? Can a simple soldier accomplish great things?
The missing “epic”
That’s the benefit. The downside is simple – the movie isn’t epic. Gladiator is filled with epic battles and the irrepressible, charismatic character of Maximus, a trustworthy natural leader of humanity throughout. Emotional attachment to the characters, epic quotes throughout.
Final scene and theme song. I get goosebumps just thinking about it now. Gladiator 2 has none of that. In fact, at times it shamelessly attempts to “reuse” some of the epics from #1.
Final thoughts
Overall, while I’m trying to avoid simply comparing it to #1, they make this feat impossible, and sadly, fall short by comparison. It’s a watchable blockbuster, but one that poses no threat to the original’s crown. Probably a 6.5/10 for me.
Gladiator II | Official Trailer (2024 Movie) – Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington:
Social Media Comments:
ADTCoach via X (Twitter): Went and saw Gladiator 2 today. 2 out of 5 Zero emotions, weak character building, good fights, Denzel was only good part of movie. Wait until you can watch it for free
gb34_ via X (Twitter): Gladiator 2: 7/10 – ignore the critics, the movie was phenomenal. Lots of action & battle scenes, good acting, paid lots of tribute to the first movie. Denzel never fails as the villain. Mind blowing that anyone can say this is a bad movie
MongoThinks via X (Twitter): I enjoyed Gladiator 2. I really love the aesthetic of ancient Rome. The music and costume design was outstanding. The plot is brought down a bit by some “member-berries” and plot conveniences. You may need to suspend your disbelief with some of this movie’s story and action.
gary_alcock via X (Twitter): Gladiator II was surprisingly entertaining, with solid acting and brutal, well-executed gladiator scenes that captured the spirit of the original. Even with a cast I largely can’t stand, the performances and spectacle carried the film. Worth a watch.
mickcreagh via X (Twitter): GLADIATOR 2 is tremendous fun. Plenty of blood, guts and political intrigue. Denzel great. Paul Mescal holding his own. Could do with more Derek Jacobi and Tim McInerney. Rome cityscape is a huge upgrade this time around. The first film still reigns but this is a worthy successor
nazreid3 via X (Twitter): I’m reading all these negative reviews about Gladiator 2, I thought the movie was sick. Sorry it’s not 100% historically accurate and isn’t as good as the first one just enjoy it
dread_game Via X (Twitter): Believe it or not, Gladiator 2 is worth your time. It’s pretty cool in ways, but extremely upsetting to the original’s lore. Still, I thought it was enjoyable for what it was. The combat sequences alone are really quite impressive, as unbelievable as some may be.
jamolbiiim via X (Twitter): Quick feedback on Gladiator II – P. Mescal was actually very fitting character for the role, but had very few impactful lines. – Some of the visuals felt too reliant on CGI. – Denzel’s heavy American accent ruined the whole concept, I think. I’d give it a 6,5/10
Charlie Hunt via Facebook: Gladiator 2 Review: It’s big and loud like the original. I saw it Friday and a lot of it has faded from memory already which does not speak well to its longevity. They let Denzel Washington eat a lot of scenery which is fun, the lead is the new Hollywood “it guy” and he’s fine….The bad emperors are appropriately scummy. The connections with Gladiator 1 are kind of awkward.This review is a bit choppy which is similar to the movie. B- your dad will love it.
Adnan Qureshi via Facebook: “Alright so here it is … my honest to God review of Gladiator 2 which I watched a couple of days back.If you’re going to go see this movie for the big battles and the special effects spectacle then make no mistake; you’re gonna love it. Also, if you’re a true die hard Denzel ‘Bossman’ Washington fan, then don’t think twice…go and watch it cuz Denzel owns the character he plays and is brilliant to watch in every frame he’s in.
Now, if you’re gonna go watch this as a direct comparison to the original Gladiator and look for a plausible sensible storyline then you’re going to be disappointed. Gladiator 2 has a weak storyline, questionable character casting and weak development, some super over the top situations like the sharks swimming in the Colosseum etc.
So nothing is remotely believablePedro Pascal is completely miscast as a Roman General; Connie Nielsen looks washed up and totally forced in the movie and the worse was the lead actor Paul Mescal as Lucius…Ridley Scott in my opinion couldn’t have found a worse actor to play the lead.
Don’t know where they found him and why they even cast him???If there was any characters besides Denzel worth mentioning in the movie; I would pick the two evil twin Emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) who did a decent job.Bottom line is the original Gladiator was a great movie for the time it was released in and Gladiator 2 is a below average movie considering its time of release.
Go watch Gladiator 2 if you’re a true Denzel Washington fan and love Ridley Scott for the big budget action sequences and battle scenes which there are tons of in the movie. Otherwise, stay home and wait for it to come on streaming platforms.Overall Rating: 6/10.”
