Honest Review:

Gladiator 2 feels like a film trying to live up to the impossible legacy of its first film and for the most part, it does not quite make it. While Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe return with some emotional moments and epic visuals, the film does not quite capture the same tragedy that made Gladiator such a masterpiece.

Paul Mescal as Lucius is solid, but the character does not have the same impact that Maximus did in the original film. There is a lot of action, but it often feels like a distraction from the story that is trying to be told, with some unnecessary supernatural elements that feel out of place. The return of Maximus (while only appearing in flashbacks) tugs at the heartstrings, but it also overshadows Lucius’ own journey.

Ultimately, Gladiator 2 is a decent film, entertaining even, but it lacks the emotional depth of the original. It is not a bad sequel, but it is nowhere near the original. 

Final Score: 79%