“Gladiator II,” directed by Ridley Scott and released November 22, 2024, tells the story of Lucius Verus, an exiled heir to the throne now known as Hanno. We follow his triumphs and failures as he ascends the gladiatorial ranks. At the center of it all is his quest for vengeance against those who have wronged him and the fate of the tyrannical and corrupt Roman Empire. The highly anticipated sequel proves itself as an entertaining yet superfluous addition to the Gladiator saga. 

This movie succeeds in many regards. “Gladiator II” thrives at depicting grounded and intense combat, especially within the walls of the colosseum. Throughout its runtime, the audience sees numerous one-on-one sword fights, brawls against a menagerie of animals, and even battles spanning across boats in a flooded arena. The R-rating allows these moments to have a more visceral and authentic undertone. However, this couldn’t have been accomplished without the set design, which thoroughly immerses the viewer in the events of the film. From royal palaces to plebian villages, every aspect of Roman society is accurately shown. 

In addition, every member of the cast has a chance to shine in this movie. Paul Mescal as Hanno brings an aggressive yet calculated side to the character. Pedro Pascal plays the treacherous tactician General Acasius. Connie Nielson reprises his role as the sage Priscilla, the mother of Lucius. A standout role in this movie is Denzel Washington as Macrinus, also known as the Master of Gladiators. He provides a manipulative and twisted role to the narrative, and it’s fascinating to witness this antagonist rise to power over the course of the film. Overall, these aspects help engage the viewer in this large-scale story. 

Unfortunately, “Gladiator II” isn’t without its flaws. At times, it feels like a repeat of the first installment. Lucius’ journey is very derivative of Maximus’, the protagonist of “Gladiator.” Both start out as esteemed citizens within the empire, only to be banished for one reason or another. Seeking revenge, both become respected gladiators and defy the hierarchy of the Roman empire. This similarity is made even more apparent by the reveal that Lucius is Maximus’ son. Whether intentional or not, this ultimately makes the story more predictable and less gripping. It hits many of the same plot beats, but often fails to reach the highs of the original. The aforementioned connection between the sequel’s protagonist and Maximus also somewhat weakens the significance of the original. Maximus’ growth in the debut film is about sacrificing himself for the preservation of Rome, with his personal objective being to reunite with his one and only family. Once we’re aware of the fact that Lucius is Maximus and Priscilla’s son, that special connection found in the initial film is lost.

“Gladiator II” delivers a satisfying, yet sometimes inferior story to its precursor. Despite its narrative inadequacies, the movie is a solid watch thanks to its action, acting and more. For the spectacle alone, “Gladiator II” is worth viewing in theaters.