Film Review: Gladiator 2 (5.5/10)

Coogler's Vampire Masterpiece

Twenty-four years after the world watched Maximus Decimus Meridius find his peace in the Elysian Fields, director Sir Ridley Scott returns to the arena with the high-stakes sequel, Gladiator II. Produced by Scott, Douglas Wick, and Lucy Fisher, and written by David Scarpa, this epic historical action film stars Paul Mescal as the grown Lucius, alongside a powerhouse ensemble including Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Joseph Quinn.

The story picks up years after the original, following Lucius (now known as Hanno) after his home in Numidia is invaded by the Roman army, forcing him into slavery and eventually the Colosseum to seek vengeance against the empire that stole his life. It is a massive, kinetic blockbuster that attempts to recapture the "dream of Rome," but often feels more like a crowded retread than a revolutionary new chapter.

STORY (1/2)

Though a very well put together continuation of the original story, Gladiator II doesn’t resonate as much as the masterpiece that preceded it. The narrative takes place about 16 years after the fall of Commodus, finding a grown Lucius living a quiet life far from the reach of the Roman emperors, only to be dragged back into the political gears of a dying empire. While the story is distinct in its effort to show the hedonistic decay of Rome under the twin emperors Caracalla and Geta, it often feels like there are too many character stories being explored at once. This fragmentation makes the central journey of Lucius feel less like a personal crusade and more like a vessel to navigate a complex web of senate coups and arms dealing.

The story structure hits many of the same narrative beats as the first film—the death of a wife, the fall into slavery, the rise in the arena—which gives it a sense of numbing familiarity. While the setting of a more "corrupt" and visually opulent Rome is interesting and provides a great backdrop for the action, the complexity of the plot actually works against its emotional accessibility. It’s a dense story that tries to be a political thriller, a revenge epic, and a legacy sequel all at the same time, often losing the straightforward, high-impact focus that made the original so authentic. For a film that's nearly two and a half hours long, the story feels both overstuffed and oddly surface-level, leaving the audience wanting more depth and fewer subplots.

VISUALS (1/2)

Visually, the film is a gargantuan spectacle that utilizes its massive $210 million net budget to recreate the scale of Ancient Rome with stunning detail. The picture quality is generally up to the high standards you’d expect from a Ridley Scott production, with sweeping shots of the Mediterranean and intricately designed sets that truly bring the Colosseum to life. The film has a unique, more colorful aesthetic than the original, leaning into the flamboyant, wine-soaked excess of the era. However, the visual experience is severely hampered by some glaringly uneven special effects that serve as a major distraction throughout the more ambitious sequences.

There were a few moments, particularly the ship coliseum battle with the sharks, where the CG really struggled to maintain its realism. While the concept of a flooded arena is historically grounded and visually stunning in theory, the execution of the marine life felt jarringly artificial compared to the tactile reality of the ships and actors. Similarly, the sequence involving a troop of "baboons" unleashed on the gladiators suffered from an "uncanny valley" look that made the animals feel like creatures out of a horror movie rather than the natural world. These visual disappointments are shocking in a film of this pedigree, as the reliance on digital spectacle often undermines the gritty, authentic energy that should be the franchise's trademark. It’s a beautiful film when it stays grounded, but the over-reliance on shaky CG animals is a stain on its overall aesthetic.

SOUND (1/2)

The audio mix for Gladiator II is a thunderous affair that tries to match the kinetic energy of the on-screen carnage. The balance between the roar of the crowd, the clash of steel, and the voice acting is mostly handled with care, ensuring that the dialogue remains clear even amidst the chaos of the naval battles. Harry Gregson-Williams takes over the score, and while the music is epic and helps set the tone, it lacks the iconic, soul-shaking emotional power of Hans Zimmer’s original work. The surround sound mix is a definite benefit during the arena scenes, placing you right in the middle of the sand, but it never quite reaches that transcendent level where the audio becomes its own character.

Standout musical moments occur when the film directly references the themes of the original, but these callbacks only serve to highlight how much the new score struggles to find its own identity. There were no moments where the sound was severely unbalanced or distracting, but the overall impact felt a bit safe and standard for a modern blockbuster. The sound effects for the more "fantastical" elements, like the rhino and baboons, were well-executed, yet they couldn't save the scenes from their visual shortcomings. It’s a solid, professional audio package that does its job, but it lacks the passionate, sincere "Factor X" that would make the soundtrack a must-listen on its own.

CHARACTER (1/2)

The dissection of the characters in Gladiator II reveals a talented cast struggling against a script that tries to do too much. Paul Mescal delivers a believable and physically impressive performance as Lucius, but he is often overshadowed by the sheer volume of characters orbiting him. Maybe because of how many characters we had to reconnect with—like Connie Nielsen’s returning Lucilla and Sir Derek Jacobi’s Gracchus—it was hard to really connect with any of them while simultaneously being introduced to new power players like Pedro Pascal’s General Acacius and Denzel Washington’s Macrinus. The emotional impact is diluted because the film doesn't give these arcs the room they need to breathe.

Denzel Washington is the undisputed highlight, bringing a politically savvy, almost Shakespearean energy to Macrinus that steals every scene he's in. His character’s development is the most shocking and engaging part of the film, as he pivots from a simple gladiator merchant to a ruthless contender for the throne. On the other hand, the twin emperors played by Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are so over-the-top and manic that they feel like they’re in a different movie entirely. While the costume and makeup work is incredible—especially Macrinus’s eccentric wardrobe and the emperors’ decadent looks—it can't hide the fact that the character arcs feel rushed.

You want to care for Lucius’s journey, but by the time he accepts his identity as Maximus’s son, the moment feels more like a box being checked than a hard-earned emotional climax.

FACTOR X (1.5/2)

This is the part of the review where I have to speak as a fan of the original. As a big supporter of the 2000 film, the opportunity to see how everyone’s story played out was incredible and carried a massive amount of nostalgic energy. There is a sincere thrill in seeing the legacy of Maximus handled with this much scale, and the kinetic pacing of the final act keeps you engaged even when the plot starts to feel "stretchy." I wasn't particularly fond of the ending—it felt a bit too "Fast and Furious" in its attempt to tie everything together with a bow—but the passion behind the project is undeniable.

Maybe I just wanted to see a few more fights and a bit more of the raw, unbridled rage that Mescal’s character was supposed to embody. Comparing it to the original, it lacks that singular, heartbreaking focus on a man just trying to get home to his family. However, the sheer "balls" of Ridley Scott to even attempt a sequel of this magnitude deserves respect. It’s an entertaining ride that, despite its flaws, respects the creative process and the fans enough to deliver a spectacle that demands a theatrical experience. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a high-stakes effort that fires you up for the future of the franchise, even if it leaves you missing the simplicity of the first one.

Gladiator II is a solid, yet occasionally underwhelming sequel that offers plenty of spectacle but lacks the emotional heart and narrative clarity of its predecessor. While Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal give their all, the film is weighed down by a disjointed plot and some truly distracting CGI animals. If you’re a fan of the original, it’s worth watching just to see the story conclude, but don't expect it to land with the same cultural impact. I’d recommend catching this one in a theater for the sound and the scale, but for those who prefer substance over spectacle, a re-watch of the original might be more satisfying. It’s an entertaining but ultimately flawed return to Rome.

FINAL SCORE: 5.5/10

Where to Watch: Paramount+ | Amazon Prime

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