Just in time for the upcoming 25th anniversary ofGladiator 1Director Ridley Scott brings a sequel to the big screen and even floods the Colosseum.But what do the critics actually say about the new blockbuster spectacle?
Early opinions on Gladiator 2 are mixed, but most people agree on one aspect:Russell Crowe remains the one and only true gladiator!
Small spoiler warning!Individual aspects of Gladiator 2 can be revealed below.
The Roman legacy
Am14. November 2024Gladiator 2 is released in German cinemas and Paul Mescal follows in the footsteps of his father Maximus (Russell Crowe) as Lucius.
The second part takes place 16 years after the events of Gladiator 1. Lucius is kidnapped from his hometown and enslaved. To resist the reign of terror of Emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracella (Fred Hechinger), Lucius turns into a gladiator.
Epic battles and a collapsing story
OnMetacriticGladiator 2 currently has a score of 67 percent, although this value is based on 32 reviews. Things look a little betterRotten Tomatoesfrom where the film gets 76 percent with 91 opinions. An audience score will follow there in the next few days as soon as the film is in cinemas. Also onIMDbThe average rating of 7.2 stars is in a similar range.
What do critics like about Gladiator 2?The spectacular fights and the action-packed violent scenes are particularly praised. Director Ridley Scott also impresses with his skills behind the camera. In terms of acting, Denzel Washington's performance as Macrinus stands out.
What problems are there?Critics criticize the blockbuster's story, which "collapses." Lead actor Paul Mescal isn't entirely convincing in his role as Maximus' son Lucius and seems more like a "millennial imitation" of Russell Crowe.
Reviews of Gladiator 2 at a glance
IGN (Rating: 8/10)
"Ridley Scott balances action and drama admirably in Gladiator 2, and while it treads familiar territory, Scott is at least willing to lighten up the tone in a way that gives Gladiator 2 its own identity."Click here for the full criticism
The Hollywood Reporter
"[...] Gladiator 2 may not have a protagonist with the smoldering gaze of Crowe's Maximus, but it offers plenty of the breathtaking spectacle and operatic violence that audiences have come to expect."Click here for the full criticism
Variety
»The way Mescal plays him [Lucius], with a rage that never quite comes to a boil, we can't help but see him as a millennial copy of Crowe's fierce royal thug. So aren't we going to be entertained by Gladiator 2? Already. But that’s not necessarily the same as being excited.”Click here for the full criticism
The Guardian (4/5 stars)
»As for Gladiator 2, he [Ridley Scott] is galloping back on old ground, but in circles. Still, there's something inspiring about seeing Paul Mescal's rise to the A-list."Click here for the full criticism
Entertainment Weekly (Rating: A)
"While some of the plot points can leave you with an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach given their modern parallels, one truth stands out above the rest: with a film this carefully crafted, there's no way not to be entertained."Click here for the full criticism
The Wrap
“Even Denzel Washington, who has the best scenes and looks like he's having the best time he's had in years, can't save this material because he's not the focus. Macrinus is much more interesting than our hero. That reminds me, General Acacius too.”Click here for the full criticism
The Collider (Rating: 7/10)
»Gladiator in many ways prophesied the future of Hollywood filmmaking, but he could never have predicted how boring things would become. Especially because he is strictly committed to the pursuit of entertainment.«Click here for the full criticism
The Empire (4/5 stars)
»What could have been a plodding, predictable sequel to a beloved Oscar winner turns out to be entertaining fun.«Click here for the full criticism
Total Film (Rating: 4/5 stars)
»Not perfect and not nearly as good as the original film, but the magic of Ridley Scott's direction and Denzel Washington's performance make Gladiator 2 the epic spectacle it needs to be. But it’s better to temper your expectations compared to the Oscar-winning film.”Click here for the full criticism
IndieWire (Rating: C)
»Gladiator in many ways prophesied the future of Hollywood filmmaking, but he could never have predicted how boring things would become. Especially because he is strictly committed to the pursuit of entertainment.«Click here for the full criticism
By the way, Gladiator 2 is launching with a hefty budget of an estimated $310 million. Originally only $165 million was planned for the project from Paramount Pictures.
For comparison: the first Gladiator part had a budget of around 103 million dollars, which makes part 2 three times that amount. You can find out more about this in the article linked above.
