‘Gladiator II’ is a familiar but solid sequel

Director Ridley Scott takes us back to the triumphs and treachery of ancient Rome in ‘Gladiator II’ (2024).

Picking up 24 years after the release of ‘Gladiator’ (2000) and 16 years after the death of legendary gladiator Maximus Decimus Meridius, the Romans are doing their colonial thing in the North African kingdom of Numidia where Hanno, a fierce soldier, survives their bloody campaign.

Starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger with Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi returning, ‘Gladiator II’ hits many of the same notes as its predecessor. As in the original, freedom can be obtained through the path of a gladiator, that is if one can survive the brutal battles at the Colosseum.

As a political plot to overthrow twin emperors Geta (Quinn) and Caracalla (Hechinger) gains steam in Rome, the captured Hanno (Mescal) becomes a star gladiator. Eager to exact revenge on General Acacius (Pascal), the man who invaded his home and killed his wife, Hanno battles all manner of vicious men and beasts while the truth of his shrouded origins come to light.

If you’re keen on impressive action sequences, ‘Gladiator II’ has plenty. Hanno fights on land, on water, above sharks, bests a gladiator on a rhino and takes a bite out of a vicious beast.

Thrillingly filmed but perhaps a tad more gruesome than some may prefer, ‘Gladiator II’ presents a historical epic that treads well-worn ground but is bolstered by its performances.

Washington as the subtly scheming and ambitious Macrinus is marvellous. Mescal as Hanno strikes the right note of strength and sensitivity and Pascal shines as a soldier who still holds the dream of a just and glorious Rome, free from the emperor twins’ bloodlust and thirst for conquest.

A solid sequel that pays homage to its predecessor, ‘Gladiator II’ is a big, bloody picture best seen on the big screen.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com