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id="main" class="site-main" role="main"> <div class="article-wrap"> <article id="post-1467049" class="post-1467049 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail tag-3-star-movies tag-action-movies channel-movie-reviews channel-movies channel-entertainment nyo_person-paul-mescal nyo_person-pedro-pascal nyo_person-joseph-quinn nyo_person-fred-hechinger nyo_person-lior-raz nyo_person-derek-jacobi nyo_person-connie-nielsen nyo_person-denzel-washington nyo_person-ridley-scott nyo_person-david-scarpa" data-post="" data-title="‘Gladiator II’ Review: Compelling, Ridiculous and Uproariously Pleasurable" data-url="" data-page-url="/2024/11/gladiator-ii-review-compelling-ridiculous-and-uproariously-pleasurable/" data-date="2024-11-18 09:00:32" data-date-iso="2024-11-18T09:00:32-05:00" data-author="Emily Zemler" data-coauthors="Emily Zemler" data-channels="Movie Reviews, Movies, Entertainment" data-piped-channels="Movie Reviews|Movies|Entertainment" > <header class="entry-header"> <div class="entry-teaser"> <a href="https://observer.com/entertainment/" aria-label="Read more articles on Entertainment">Entertainment</a><span>  •  </span><a href="https://observer.com/movies/" aria-label="Read more articles on Movies">Movies</a> </div> <h1 class="entry-title" itemprop="headline">‘Gladiator II’ Review: Compelling, Ridiculous and Uproariously Pleasurable</h1> <h2 class="dek">This belated and bloody sequel is full of spectacle—get ready for gladiators vs. sharks—and you will be entertained.</h2> <div class="entry-meta nyo-social-comments nyo-social-comments-above"> By <span class="author" itemprop="author"><a rel="author" class="url fn n" href="https://observer.com/author/emily-zemler/" title="View All Posts by Emily Zemler">Emily Zemler</a></span> • <span class="entry-date"><time itemprop="datePublished" datetime="2024-11-18">11/18/24 9:00am</time></span> <svg aria-hidden="true" style="position: absolute; width: 0; height: 0; overflow: hidden;" 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768w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=635,357 635w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=1536,865 1536w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=2048,1153 2048w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=970,546 970w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=320,180 320w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=1920,1081 1920w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_07002R4_rgb.jpg?resize=50,28 50w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 300px, 620px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1467066" class="wp-caption-text">Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal in<em> Gladiator II.</em> <span class="media-credit">Aidan Monaghan/Courtesy of Paramount Pictures</span></figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Much like its predecessor, </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator II</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> is a spectacle in the same way the glorious, bloody battles in Rome’s Colosseum enlivened and captivated the masses. It’s equal parts compelling, ridiculous and uproariously pleasurable, often to the point where you can almost hear director <a href="https://observer.com/person/ridley-scott/" title="Ridley Scott" class="company-link">Ridley Scott</a> shouting, “Are you not entertained?” And, in truth, there are very few viewers who will not be, even those skeptical of a belated sequel to the 2000 Best Picture winner, which had a thunderous performance from its star Russell Crowe. </span></p> <section class="wp-block-observer-newsletters observer-newsletters--in-content"> <form class="newsletters-block__container" method="post" action="#" id="newsletter-674b69b827fdb2.61037170" data-form="subscribe-newsletter" data-recaptcha-key="6LexvRggAAAAAF1HvCWrHtG4UAa7m0WIdyIgstAo" data-form-action="https://observer.com/newsletter-subscribe.json"> <div class="observer-newsletters__in-content-icon"> <svg fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 51 51" width="50" height="50"><path d="M18.124 15.961C23.25 8.783 30.096 4.967 33.682 7.305a4.04 4.04 0 0 1 1.013.97c0 .028 8.3 16.017 8.3 16.017l4.634 2.989a6.39 6.39 0 0 1 1.793 1.732c.472.684.798 1.45.96 2.253.161.804.154 1.63-.02 2.432a6.075 6.075 0 0 1-.995 2.24l-.209.291c-.977 1.355-2.475 2.288-4.17 2.598a6.827 6.827 0 0 1-4.883-.943L32.662 48.32c-1.095 1.285-3.197 2.564-5.792 1.059a3.834 3.834 0 0 1-1.15-1.093 3.63 3.63 0 0 1-.587-1.444 3.763 3.763 0 0 1 .008-1.55 3.85 3.85 0 0 1 .635-1.427l6.556-9.208s-15.5-1.174-15.557-1.196a3.812 3.812 0 0 1-1.35-.552c-1.842-1.19-2.502-3.688-1.865-7.035.573-3.082 2.2-6.572 4.564-9.914Zm29.349 19.182.208-.292c.334-.467.567-.992.687-1.545a4.09 4.09 0 0 0 .012-1.678 4.18 4.18 0 0 0-.665-1.555 4.407 4.407 0 0 0-1.239-1.193l-4.002-2.592-5.282 7.405 4.002 2.592a4.64 4.64 0 0 0 1.624.655c.581.114 1.18.119 1.764.013a4.65 4.65 0 0 0 1.634-.631 4.42 4.42 0 0 0 1.257-1.179Zm-20.03 9.809a1.96 1.96 0 0 0-.324 1.528c.108.53.433.998.904 1.3.472.302 1.05.413 1.608.31A2.158 2.158 0 0 0 31 47.23l7.42-10.405-2.983-1.93-.788-.06-7.205 10.117Zm7.832-12.009 5.757-8.072-5.491-10.657c-.533 2.993-2.091 6.55-4.582 10.04-2.49 3.49-5.386 6.18-8.108 7.758l12.424.931ZM18.188 31.66c2.768-.171 7.275-3.143 11.092-8.497s5.056-10.42 4.205-12.94a2.354 2.354 0 0 0-.877-1.185 2.55 2.55 0 0 0-1.44-.47c-2.746 0-7.42 2.989-11.347 8.497-2.212 3.099-3.823 6.34-4.263 9.175-.863 5.42 2.63 5.42 2.63 5.42Z" fill="#000"/><path d="M25.364 16.165a5.726 5.726 0 0 1 2.148.01c.708.14 1.38.412 1.976.8.11.073.204.166.276.272a.941.941 0 0 1 .14.73.947.947 0 0 1-.158.347.998.998 0 0 1-.285.263 1.047 1.047 0 0 1-.767.133 1.046 1.046 0 0 1-.364-.15 3.572 3.572 0 0 0-1.25-.503 3.648 3.648 0 0 0-1.355-.01 3.574 3.574 0 0 0-1.257.486c-.381.238-.71.546-.966.906s-.436.763-.528 1.189a3.152 3.152 0 0 0-.01 1.29c.086.427.26.834.51 1.197.25.363.574.675.952.92a.972.972 0 0 1 .382.48c.07.194.074.405.01.602a.969.969 0 0 1-.37.49 1.048 1.048 0 0 1-.601.186 1.026 1.026 0 0 1-.58-.165 5.305 5.305 0 0 1-2.01-2.363 4.999 4.999 0 0 1-.29-3.028 5.165 5.165 0 0 1 1.527-2.67 5.592 5.592 0 0 1 2.83-1.412h.04Zm-8.491-6.914h-.098c-.25 0-.493-.088-.679-.248a.95.95 0 0 1-.329-.617l-.782-7.234a.919.919 0 0 1 .21-.725c.083-.1.188-.185.306-.247a1.05 1.05 0 0 1 1.14.105.974.974 0 0 1 .36.668l.776 7.24a.933.933 0 0 1-.222.707c-.17.199-.414.325-.682.351ZM3.771 7.763c.149-.214.38-.363.644-.414.264-.052.538-.002.764.138l7.06 4.41a.974.974 0 0 1 .396.482.922.922 0 0 1 .014.611.969.969 0 0 1-.376.496 1.05 1.05 0 0 1-.613.182 1.07 1.07 0 0 1-.58-.155l-7.06-4.41a.961.961 0 0 1-.415-.622.928.928 0 0 1 .166-.718ZM1.61 19.54l8.214-1.406c.265-.045.538.011.759.158.221.146.372.37.42.622a.93.93 0 0 1-.166.723c-.154.21-.389.354-.654.4l-8.207 1.405h-.18c-.258.007-.51-.08-.703-.243A.933.933 0 0 1 .97 19.88a1.03 1.03 0 0 1 .646-.358l-.005.017Z" fill="#000"/></svg> </div> <div class="observer-newsletters__in-content-inner"> <header class="newsletters-block__header"> <h2 class="newsletters-block__title"> Sign Up For Our Daily Newsletter </h2> </header> <div class="newsletters-block__form"> <input type="hidden" name="action" value="subscribe_newsletter"> <input type="hidden" name="newsletters[]" value="newsletter-daily" id="newsletter-daily"> <div class="newsletters-block__fields wp-block-button"> <input class="newsletters-block__input" aria-label="Email Address" placeholder="Email Address" type="email" name="email" required=""> <button class="wp-block-button__link in_article_single_newsletter_button" type="submit"> Sign Up </button> </div> <p class="newsletter-block__success"> Thank you for signing up! </p> <p class="newsletter-block__error"></p> <p class="newsletters-block__disclaimer"> By clicking submit, you agree to our <a href="http://observermedia.com/terms">terms of service</a> and acknowledge we may use your information to send you emails, product samples, and promotions on this website and other properties. You can opt out anytime. </p> </div> <a href="https://observer.com/subscribe/" class="newsletters-block__see-all in_article_single_newsletter_see_all_link"> See all of our newsletters </a> </div> </form> </section> <table width="329" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="5" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <hr /> <p><b>GLADIATOR II</b> ★★★1/2<strong> </strong><strong><em>(3.5/4 stars</em>)</strong><br /> <strong>Directed by:</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400">Ridley Scott</span><br /> <strong>Written by: </strong><span style="font-weight: 400">David Scarpa</span><br /> <strong>Starring: <span style="font-weight: 400">Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington</span></strong><br /> <strong>Running time:</strong> 148 mins.</p> <hr /> </td> <td width="20"></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">In the new film, directed by Scott and written by <a href="https://observer.com/person/david-scarpa/" title="David Scarpa" class="company-link">David Scarpa</a> based on characters created by the original screenwriter David Franzoni, years have passed, but not much has changed in Ancient Rome. After Maximus’ heroic death in Colosseum, Lucilla (a returning <a href="https://observer.com/person/connie-nielsen/" title="Connie Nielsen" class="company-link">Connie Nielsen</a>) sends their son Lucius (<a href="https://observer.com/person/paul-mescal/" title="Paul Mescal" class="company-link">Paul Mescal</a>) away for his own safety. He grows up far from Rome in the North African province of Numidia, where he’s a ferocious fighter and military leader as well as a devoted husband. But soon the Roman army comes knocking, led by the stoic General Marcus Acacius (<a href="https://observer.com/person/pedro-pascal/" title="Pedro Pascal" class="company-link">Pedro Pascal</a>), and Lucius loses his wife and his freedom in a single battle. He’s brought to Antium, on Rome’s outskirts, where a dapper gladiator trainer named Macrinus (<a href="https://observer.com/person/denzel-washington/" title="Denzel Washington" class="company-link">Denzel Washington</a>, absolutely milking every moment) recognizes Lucius’ talent. </span></p><div data-ad="1" class="ad-wrapper ad-top-margin ad-has-disclaimer ad-incontent ad-mobile htlad-observer_article_instream_mobile_1" id="observer_article_instream_mobile_1"></div><div class="ad-wrapper ad-top-margin ad-desktop ad-has-disclaimer ad-incontent htlad-observer_article_instream_dsk_1" id="observer_article_instream_dsk_1"></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">And boy does Lucius have talent. He immediately wins over the crowd by literally biting a raging monkey during a small arena battle to prove his worth, eventually choking it to death in a pool of blood. He can fight with fist, sword and shield, and his as calculating as his father was when faced with brutal opponents like a charging rhino. He even quotes Virgil as he stabs someone to death as entertainment at a party. At first, Lucius seems indifferent to the machinations of Roman politics, currently led by the so-called “Twin Emperors,” Geta (<a href="https://observer.com/person/joseph-quinn/" title="Joseph Quinn" class="company-link">Joseph Quinn</a>) and Caracalla (a pitch-perfect <a href="https://observer.com/person/fred-hechinger/" title="Fred Hechinger" class="company-link">Fred Hechinger</a>). But soon it becomes clear that not only does Lucilla, who is now married to Marcus, recognize her son in the dusty Colosseum, but Macrinus may have plans for him as well. </span></p> <figure id="attachment_1467073" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1467073" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload wp-image-1467073 size-full-width" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?quality=80&w=970" alt="" width="970" height="673" data-srcset="https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg 6000w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=300,208 300w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=768,533 768w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=635,440 635w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=1536,1065 1536w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=2048,1420 2048w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=970,673 970w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=320,222 320w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=1920,1332 1920w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=50,35 50w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 300px, 620px" /><noscript><img decoding="async" class="lazyload wp-image-1467073 size-full-width" src="https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?quality=80&w=970" alt="" width="970" height="673" srcset="https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg 6000w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=300,208 300w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=768,533 768w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=635,440 635w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=1536,1065 1536w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=2048,1420 2048w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=970,673 970w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=320,222 320w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=1920,1332 1920w, https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_03525RC_rgb.jpg?resize=50,35 50w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 300px, 620px" /></noscript><figcaption id="caption-attachment-1467073" class="wp-caption-text">Denzel Washington , Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen in<em> Gladiator II.</em> <span class="media-credit">Aidan Monaghan/Courtesy of Paramount Pictures</span></figcaption></figure> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">There’s a lot of devious behavior that transpires, both between politicians and within the Colosseum. The senators want to overthrow the emperors and create a new Rome, one Lucilla’s father Marcus Aurelius dreamed of before his death in </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">. Marcus has a plan to bring in a loyal army after the conclusion of the gladiator games, but Lucius has to survive them first. This includes the infamous shark battle, which Scott originally wanted to include in </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">. It’s cinema at an extreme, the Roman Colosseum filled with <keyword data-keyword-id="271577">water</keyword> as slaves battle on wooden ships surrounded by CGI sharks. It’s bloody and delightful, made even better by the idea that it might be based in historical fact. Not that Scott cares about authenticity—at one point a character is reading a newspaper even though newspapers wouldn’t be invented for hundreds of years. But the point is entertainment and spectacle, not accuracy. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Crowe, who won Best Actor for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">, left big sandals to fill. In another universe, there was a version of this sequel that included his character Maximus appearing from the afterlife. But here it’s Mescal who straps on the famous gladiator’s chest plate and attempts to wield his sword with equal might. It’s a strong effort. Mescal embodies a real sense of movie star energy and he is a believably ferocious fighter. The script ensures that he and Pascal get pitted against each other in the Colosseum, and it’s as satisfying and thigh-filled as the trailers let on. So is Washington’s performance, which is somehow both intensely high brow and borderline camp. He does a line reading of the word “politics” that will go down in film infamy. </span></p> <p><iframe title="Gladiator II | New Trailer (2024 Movie) - Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Ridley Scott" width="635" height="357" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ts0N8swyWFI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><div data-ad="1" class="ad-wrapper ad-top-margin ad-has-disclaimer ad-incontent ad-mobile htlad-observer_article_instream_mobile_2" id="observer_article_instream_mobile_2"></div><div class="ad-wrapper ad-top-margin ad-desktop ad-has-disclaimer ad-incontent htlad-observer_article_instream_dsk_2" id="observer_article_instream_dsk_2"></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Although Scott is unconcerned about historical details like newspapers, his collaborators are far more detail-oriented. Production designer Arthur Max and costume designer Janty Yates both returned to help build the visual world of the film, which is immersive and memorable. Cinematographer John Mathieson continues the aesthetic he started in </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">, ensuring that the fight sequences are fluid, tension-filled and easy to follow. There’s an overall high level of craft, especially in the massive set builds and the intense special effects, which included creating a 3D printed rhino that could be operated by remote control. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">At 86, Scott keeps cranking out these massive blockbuster movies with apparent ease, although it’s sometimes to mixed results (sorry </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Napoleon</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400">). </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator II</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> is a genuine success as Scott embraces his predilection for epic tales about power and moral fortitude in a way that never feels like it’s trying too hard. Sure, there are moments where the film gets stuck on the nostalgia of the original, including the melodramatic ending. And Crowe is missed, even if this cast is enjoyable to watch. But even when </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400">Gladiator II</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400"> veers towards the ridiculous it’s always in service of entertaining you. And that’s exactly what it does. </span></p> </p> <img itemprop="image" src="https://observer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/GL2_05931RC2_rgb.jpg?quality=80&w=970" alt="‘Gladiator II’ Review: Compelling, Ridiculous and Uproariously Pleasurable" style="display:none;width:0;"> </div> <footer class="entry-meta"> </footer> </article> <div class="breadcrumbs"> <span class="before-text"> Filed Under:</span> <a href="https://observer.com/movie-reviews/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Movie Reviews">Movie Reviews</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/movies/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Movies">Movies</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/entertainment/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Entertainment">Entertainment</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/lior-raz/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Lior Raz">Lior Raz</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/derek-jacobi/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Derek Jacobi">Derek Jacobi</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/david-scarpa/" aria-label="Read articles filed under David Scarpa">David Scarpa</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/joseph-quinn/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Joseph Quinn">Joseph Quinn</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/connie-nielsen/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Connie Nielsen">Connie Nielsen</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/fred-hechinger/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Fred Hechinger">Fred Hechinger</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/paul-mescal/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Paul Mescal">Paul Mescal</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/denzel-washington/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Denzel Washington">Denzel Washington</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/person/pedro-pascal/" aria-label="Read articles filed under Pedro Pascal">Pedro Pascal</a>, <a href="https://observer.com/tag/3-star-movies/" aria-label="Read articles filed under 3-Star Movies">3-Star Movies</a>, <a 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