Gladiator II (2024) ★★★☆☆

Gladiator II (2024)

★★★☆☆

Dolby Vision • Dolby Atmos

Starring: Paul Mescal • Denzel Washington • Pedro Pascal • Connie Nielsen

IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9218128/

Trailers

Cinema Wins

Not a bad sequel, even if it has no real interest, and doesn't equal the first one for a single second, and doesn't innovate at all on the Peplum.

 Tutuapp

On 4/14/2025 at 5:40 PM, xedosab said:

Not a bad sequel, even if it has no real interest, and doesn't equal the first one for a single second, and doesn't innovate at all on the Peplum. Tutuapp

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Cinema Sins

53 minutes ago, Cult Icon said:

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The sequel was just a Hollywood money grab. Not something I would have expected from Ridley Scott.

And Denzel's character reminded me of his role in Training Day, which was an award winning performance in that film but not the right fit for Gladiator II. I was expecting Denzel to yell "King Kong ain't got nothing on me!" in Gladiator II; now that line would have been worth the price of admission. 🤣

On 12/25/2025 at 9:01 PM, TheDude2k said:

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The sequel was just a Hollywood money grab. Not something I would have expected from Ridley Scott.

And Denzel's character reminded me of his role in Training Day, which was an award winning performance in that film but not the right fit for Gladiator II. I was expecting Denzel to yell "King Kong ain't got nothing on me!" in Gladiator II; now that line would have been worth the price of admission. 🤣

I think it cheapens the meaning of the original- the original was an epic that ended perfectly- it didn't need a sequel.

It is interesting how Russell Crowe talks about the moral core; he is 100% correct about the incorruptibility and heroism of Maximus as being unforgettable for the audience. From the start Maximus was is depicted as a 'unicorn' of sorts, as the only non-corrupt Roman elite (which I find improbable- it is the equivalent to finding a billionaire with the morals an extremely honorable middle class or poor person today) and also a 'stoic' hero that quotes from stoic philosophers throughout the film.

This is why the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius chose him as his successor in the first place, which would ironically lead to both Maximus and his families' deaths.

Totally agree with your assessment. In a way, Gladiator II was like Godfather III, which didn't have the same vibe of the first two movies, which were epic masterpieces.

Another film of its time that shouldn't be touched with a sequel or spin-off is Braveheart. That film, along with Gladiator, are some of the best cinema as historical pieces.