Initial Gladiator 2 reactions promise a cinematic miracle

Gladiator II launches in less than a month, on November 14, 2024in German cinemas. In the USA, some people have already been able to see Ridley Scott’s sequel and convey it in theirs first reactions a good impression of what awaits us.

The first exuberant Gladiator 2 reactions are here

Gladiator II revolves around Lucius (Paul Mescal), Lucilla’s (Connie Nielsen) son, who has now grown up. He has renounced his past, but still finds it in Macrinus’ (Denzel Washington) fighter racing team Way back to the Colosseum in Rome. There he has to confront not only rhinos but also the representative of the two emperors (Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger), General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal).

Everything we know about Gladiator 2 promised an action festival in advance. Now, in addition to the trailer reactions, the first enthusiastic opinions about the complete Sandals sequel have appeared on social media:

You can breathe a sigh of relief, Romans: Gladiator 2 is the kind of cinematic, large-scale excellence that only Ridley Scott could capture. Everything about it works. The film has strong Top Gun: Maverick vibes in terms of evoking the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent.

Gladiator 2 serves that richest feast of epic action scenes and pleasurably hearty betrayals. Stylishly intertwined with the original, Paul Mescal is a solid main character […] and Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a collective powerhouse.

Gladiator II is Ridley Scott’s best film since The Martian. A big, bloody, hard-hitting spectaclewhich builds on the legacy of the original. […] Paul Mescal beams. Denzel Washington […] looks like he’s having the time of his life here.

Ridley Scott returns to the Colosseum to… To prove to the world that he still has it. I’m totally vibrating for Gladiator 2. An epic Shakespearean tale of hope, futility and power within a crumbling system. Denzel [Washington] stands out with his performance of ruthlessness. What a film!

Welcome back to the cinema! […] A third Oscar for Denzel Washington is very likely. Sound, visuals, costumes – the film has it all. A blockbuster that the Academy can definitely accept. Let’s go! But there is one point of criticism about Gladiator 2

Since initial reactions are often very euphoric, it is also worth looking at the smaller points of criticism that have something to criticize about Ridley Scott’s Gladiator return:

Gladiator II doesn’t quite live up to the greatness of the original, but it’s a damn good sequel with high stakes, a solid story, and excellent performances. I thoroughly enjoyed it and probably most others will too. It’s just a little lacking in emotionality. Everything is very simple and remains on the surface.

Gladiator II lacks focus and emotional impact of the original film and [Paul] Mescal isn’t quite as engaging as a leading man [Russell] Crowe in Part 1. But the film is overflowing with memorable action. And Denzel [Washington] steals the show with what will soon be one of his most iconic performances.

This shouldn’t dampen the anticipation for Gladiator 2 too much. In just under three weeks we will find out whether the first reactions live up to their promise.