What's happened
Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II' premieres on November 15, 2024, continuing the saga of Lucius, son of Maximus. The film features grand battles and a star-studded cast, including Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington. Critics have mixed feelings, praising its spectacle while questioning its narrative depth.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Critics have varied opinions on 'Gladiator II'. Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent describes it as 'pure camp', highlighting its absurdist elements while acknowledging its grand scale. In contrast, Alistair Harkness from The Scotsman notes the film's reliance on spectacle over narrative depth, stating that it 'delivers the keynote scenes and moments for the fanbase'. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian expresses concern that the sequel diminishes the original's impact, calling it a 'next-gen remake'. Meanwhile, Business Insider UK emphasizes the film's entertainment value despite its narrative flaws, suggesting that audiences should focus on the action rather than historical accuracy. Overall, the film has sparked discussions about its place in the cinematic landscape and its potential for future installments.
How we got here
The original 'Gladiator' (2000) revitalized the epic genre and earned five Oscars. Its sequel, 'Gladiator II', arrives over two decades later, exploring themes of revenge and power in Ancient Rome, with a new generation of characters.
Common question
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What Are Critics Saying About Gladiator II?
As 'Gladiator II' prepares for its premiere on November 15, 2024, critics are weighing in on the film's themes, performances, and overall impact. With a star-studded cast and a continuation of the beloved saga, many are curious about how this sequel holds up against the original. Here’s a look at the main questions surrounding the film and what reviewers are saying.
More on these topics
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Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, director, and producer. He has received two Golden Globe awards, one Tony Award, and two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for the historical war drama film Glory and Best Actor for his role as corrupt
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Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. He is best known for directing the science fiction horror film Alien, the neo-noir dystopian film Blade Runner, the road adventure film Thelma & Louise, the historical drama film Gladiator, th
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Paul Mescal is an Irish actor. He is best known for his starring role in the miniseries Normal People, which earned him international attention and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
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Connie Inge-Lise Nielsen is a Danish actress. She is best known for starring as Hippolyta in the DC Extended Universe, appearing in the films Wonder Woman, Justice League, Wonder Woman 1984, and Zack Snyder's Justice League.
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Gladiator II is an upcoming epic historical action film directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott. Serving as a sequel to Gladiator (2000), the film was written by David Scarpa, from a story he wrote with Peter Craig, and stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal...
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Fred Hechinger is an American actor. He is best known for playing Trevor in the coming-of-age film Eighth Grade, John Calley in the Western drama News of the World, and Ethan Russell in the psychological thriller The Woman in the Window.
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José Pedro Balmaceda Pascal is a Chilean-American actor. Pascal portrayed Oberyn Martell in the fourth season of the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones and Javier Peña in the Netflix biographical crime series Narcos.
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Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was a Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire.
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Gladiator is a 2000 British-American epic historical drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson. The film was co-produced and released by DreamWorks Pictures and Universal Pictures.
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Russell Ira Crowe is an actor, film producer, director and musician. Although a New Zealand citizen, he has lived most of his life in Australia.