 "Gladiator II movie review: Paul Mescal slays, Pedro Pascal is brilliant but it's Denzel Washington, who steals the show in Ridley Scott's epic sequel")
Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and Denzel Washington
Director: Ridley Scott
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix & Connie Nielsen starrer Gladiator, released in 2000, was a huge box office success and became one of the beautiful nostalgic memories for the cinegoers. And that’s why, I was quite sceptical when I entered the cinema hall to watch this cult classic’s sequel in the form of Gladiator II. And I must say, I was not only satisfied but thoroughly enjoyed the larger-than-life period actioner, which can easily be the best popcorn entertainer of the year.
The plot continues from the first part of Gladiator. 16 years after the demise of Maximus Decimus Meridius, the Roman Empire continues to be unpleasant and blood-thirsty under the command of Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) & Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). Their only aim is to capture cities and countries across the world through wars and killings.
In this turn of events of around 2 decades, Lucilla and Maximus’ (Connie Nielsen & Russell Crowe) son Lucius (Paul Mescal) stays with his wife Arishat (Yuval Gonen), where he is known by the name of Hanno.
The duo are soldiers and are preparing for the battle with the Roman army, who are invading their city under the leadership of General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). In the war, Arishat gets killed while Lucius is taken to slavery, where he is bought by Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to become one of his gladiators.
Hanno aka Lucius makes a deal with Macrinus that if he fights for him, he will give him General Acacius’ head as he holds him responsible for his wife’s murder. Through past discoveries, Lucilla comes to know that Hanno is Lucius her son, whom she had to send far as a child for his safety. Now, the question is how will Lucius reclaim the throne and fulfil the dream of his grandfather to make Rome a happy and glorious empire? Well, for that you need to watch Gladiator II on the big screen.
Ridley Scott (who is 86) has not lost his Midas touch and delivers a massy-actioner and a visual spectacle with a compelling narrative at a great pace combining ample goosebump moments along with emotional & surprising elements. The action sequences are spectacular and will make you cheer out loud.
Talking about the performances, Paul Mescal is earnest as Lucius and the best part is he doesn’t try to copy or emulate Russell’s character. Pedro is charming and brilliant. But for me, the show stealer is Denzel Washington, who turns out to be the biggest highlight as vicious and cunning Macrinus. Connie Nielsen has limited screen presence but made her place, especially in the emotional scenes. Joseph Quinn & Fred Hechinger have done their job phenomenally well as weird and ruthless emperors.
On the whole, Ridley Scott delivers a big-screen spectacle for cinegoers in the form of Gladiator II.
Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)
Gladiator II is playing in cinemas
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