Biggest Takeaways, RT Score, and How They Compare to the Original Film

The comments for Gladiator II are in, with critics revealing their key takeaways from the sequel, comparing it to the original, and giving it its own Rotten Tomatoes soundtrack. Gladiator II resumes almost two decades after the end of Gladiatorwith Paul Mescal playing an older Lucius Verus. Given the intense love that first blossomed Gladiator Since its release, expectations for the sequel were cautiously optimistic. Gladiator IIThe cast is fantastic, but whether the film could live up to its predecessor was a common concern.

Years after its original announcement, Gladiator IIThe release date has finally arrived, as audiences and critics around the world experience the next chapter in Ridley Scott’s swords-and-sandals epic. Although historical accuracy Gladiator and Gladiator II have often been points of contention, the former is loved around the world and many hope the latter will recreate it, 24 years later. With comments to Gladiator II finally released, audiences can gauge how the film is being received, from its Rotten Tomatoes score to its similarities and differences with its predecessor and the standout aspects of Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel.

Are Gladiator 2 reviews really good?

Gladiator 2 reviews are certainly positive

As expected, the burning question as Gladiator IIThe first reviews were revealed is simply whether they were good. Apparently, there is nothing to worry about for those who want this to happen. In general, Gladiator II is being received positively. At the time of writing this article, Gladiator II it currently holds a 76% critical approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. This means that 76% of critics who recorded a professional review of the film gave it a positive review.

Overall, this is a positive rating for any film. Where Gladiator II is concerned, however, this can be seen as an incredibly positive score. After all, the film was under the pressure of having to live up to a beloved original film, meaning that the tolerance many would have for the film was lower. Fortunately, this proved not to matter Gladiator II receiving positive reactions from most critics, proving that Ridley Scott’s adventure back to ancient Rome was worthy.

Gladiator 2 Doesn’t Beat the Original Film – But Its RT Score Almost Matches It

Naturally, Gladiator II will face many comparisons with the original Gladiatorfrom the films themselves to how both are or were received. In terms of critical scores on Rotten Tomatoes, the films are turning out to be more similar than previously thought. The original Gladiator holds a 79% rating on the site, with Gladiator IIthe aforementioned score of 76%, reaching just 3% less. Track individual reviews of the 2024 film, with many – including Damien Straker’s Impulse Player – externally affirming Gladiator II It’s not as good as Scott’s original.

Abe Friedtanzer’s Buzz Awards echoes this, giving the film a positive review despite stating that Gladiator II and “nowhere near as potent or memorable as its predecessor.” The review published in JoBlo Movie Network includes a similar sentiment, insisting that while it’s still a blast, Gladiator II and “It’s not the instant classic that the original was.” Both negative and positive reviews of Gladiator II seem to mostly agree on this point, which may not be reflected by the Rotten Tomatoes score.

Gladiator 2 is partially a remake of the original film

Gladiator II uses similar plot and character elements as its predecessor

A common opinion that seems to permeate most analysis of Gladiator II is that the film reuses many elements from the original. Screen speechthe review itself notes that “Gladiator II remains in the shadow of the first film” with many other published reviews sharing this view. CBR states that Gladiator IIThe main difference from the 2000 film is that “It doesn’t even try to innovate alone.” The AU Review says something similar, stating that Gladiator IIThe narrative of is often indistinguishable from its predecessor.

Jeff Nelson from Guy at the cinema was less positive about Gladiator II as a whole, linked to the film’s lack of originality: “Gladiator II is a rehash of its predecessor that entertains on the grounds of the Colosseum, but falls flat narratively.” The Cinema Stage reiterates this, insisting that “[Ridley] Scott follows the formula from first to the tee.” Evidently, it looks like the 2024 sequel is what many assumed it would be: a stealth remake with some new elements. However, the film is apparently entertaining enough, which responds to the old iconic Maximus film. Gladiator quote, innovative or not.

Denzel Washington steals the show

Washington is head and shoulders above its peers

Perhaps the most common consensus regarding Gladiator II involves a singular performance: that of Denzel Washington as Macrinus. An actor of Washington’s caliber cast in the sequel to a beloved classic was always going to raise eyebrows, and this proved to be a masterstroke from Scott. Washington was always expected to be good, but many reviews highlight it as Gladiator IIstandout performance, so much so that it would be impossible to include each one here.

Several reviews give Washington sole credit for the film’s success, with Casey’s movie craze stating that “Denzel Washington’s scene-stealing performance elevates this entertaining operatic sequence.” The curb echoes this, telling readers to “Thank all the gods you pray to or don’t pray to for the inclusion of Macrinus and Denzel Washington.” Vital emotions describes Washington’s performance as gleefully anarchic, while Magazine necklace calls this exaggerated enough to almost justify Scott’s decision to make a Gladiator sequence.

Praise for Washington’s performance as Macrinus continues, with many claiming that the character is the driving point of the story. Gladiator IIplot. Screen speechthe review insists that “Washington delivers a magnetic twist that steals the entire film,” proving that he is the fulcrum of the story. This praise for Washington led to calls for him to receive a third Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a reality that seems increasingly likely after Gladiator IIcomments.

Gladiator 2 delivers in terms of action and spectacle

As is to be expected from a Ridley Scott film, Gladiator II supposedly delivers on the action front. A word that recurs in most reviews of the film is “spectacle”, with Gladiator II being listed as such by media outlets including Drunk critics, Geek Vibes Nation, BBC, and The Hollywood Reporter. Culture Mix states that “this action sequence delivers the expected epic battle scenes,” with Firing the Canon describing him as having “a bravura sense of scale that only studio epics have ever achieved.” Until Gladiator II’Negative reviews claim it’s big, loud, and epic in scope.

Gladiator 2 is Ridley Scott’s return to form

Ridley Scott’s divisive run is over (for now)

Although Ridley Scott is one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed and popular filmmakers, the director has had a divisive trajectory in the 2010s and 2020s. Of his recent films, only The Last Duel can be counted as someone with wide acclaim. Other efforts, such as House of Gucci, Napoleon, Alien: Covenant, The Counselor, and Exodus: Gods and Kings ranged from just ok or divisive to downright negatively received. With Gladiator IIhowever, Scott reportedly returns to what he used to do best, delivering a swords-and-sandals epic that is commonly referred to as his best since The Martian.

GamesRadar+ insists that although it is not Ridley Scott’s best film, Gladiator II marks a remarkable return to form and one that “it still has the cinematic power to visually engage and excite audiences.” Julian Romanus of FilmWeb reiterates this: “Ridley Scott returns to bloody greatness with a killer swords-and-sandals sequence.” Finally, Zach Pope Reviews emphatically stated that Gladiator II “made me believe in Ridley Scott again!”

Paul Mescal gives a great performance as the protagonist…

Washington isn’t the only impressive cast member

As mentioned, Denzel Washington is receiving a lot of praise for his performance, but also Gladiator IIis Paul Mescal as Lúcio. Mescal was cast as Lucius when the film went into production, replacing Spencer Treat Clark from the first film. Overall, Mescal’s performance is receiving a lot of praise, despite not reaching the same Washington heights as Macrinus. Big Gold Belt Media kicks things off, stating that the film has a lot to offer “with standout performances from Denzel to Paul Mescal.”

Zach Pope Reviews mentions that “Paul Mescal is PHENOMENAL”, while The Independent Sunday – from Mescal’s home country of Ireland – claims that “Mescal works hard and it’s an interesting turn of events.” The same outlet describes Mescal as edgy, soulful and quietly powerful, while also stating that there may not be many other artists who could have performed better in the role. Watch Awards also praises Mescal, insisting that he “is a worthy successor to the throne.”

But I can’t live up to Russell Crowe’s Maximus

Despite the praise being directed at Mescal, many critics agree that he – and Gladiator II as a whole – struggle to fill the void left by Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius of Gladiator. Colliderthe review states that “Mescal’s character simply doesn’t have the opportunity to reach the same emotional heights as Maximus.” for example. Film marker declares that, although Gladiator II compensates with its action and spectacle, the film “May really miss Maximus.” Finally, THRthe review states that “Gladiator II may not have a protagonist with the fiery gaze of Crowe’s Maximus…”

All of these excerpts prove how difficult it would be to replace Crowe and Maximus. Since then, the character has become one of the most iconic in cinema history since the release of Gladiator in 2000, giving Gladiator II a somewhat insurmountable task in providing a new and equally compelling protagonist. That said, the fact that Mescal still receives widespread praise for his performance proves his strength, as he manages to elevate the film as a whole, albeit without completely removing Maximus from the audience’s mind.

Gladiator 2 doesn’t have the same emotional weight as its predecessor

The last main food of Gladiator IIThe criticism is that, although almost as good as its predecessor, it lacks the same emotional weight that the original possessed. Carla Hay of the aforementioned Culture Mix states that “Gladiator II is not as exciting as Gladiator 2000.” with Impulse Player echoing this sentiment: “It looks strong, but it lacks emotion.” So there is Discussing Film, with this output commenting that “Gladiator II doesn’t reach the same emotional heights as the original film.”

Digital Spy both summarize this point, as well as Gladiator IIgeneral perception, claiming that “IIf you can overcome the lack of emotional strength and connection with its characters, Gladiator 2 is a hugely entertaining watch.” This seems to be the consensus for Ridley Scott’s sequel; although there may be some elements that do not exactly correspond to the magnitude of Gladiatorthere are many things to love about Gladiator II. For those who were fans of the original film, this will come as a relief as anticipation gives way to entertainment amid the return to the Coliseum.