I was lucky enough to attend Paramount’s Special Screening of Ridley Scott’s action extravaganza “Gladiator II” at the Paramount Theater, complete with a Q&A with Paul Mescal and a Hollywood-packed reception on the lot.
And let me tell you—Gladiator 2 is everything you want in a blockbuster.
The action is bigger, the stakes are higher, and the operatic drama is dialed up to new heights. Paul Mescal steps into the role of Lucius, the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe), now seeking revenge after his family is slaughtered by Roman forces.
Ridley Scott amps up the action with jaw-dropping sequences (including sharks in the Colosseum!) and an intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat. While the film echoes the original in some ways, it’s much more over-the-top and extravagant, embracing its blockbuster identity.
In my video, I discuss the similarities and differences between the Gladiator films, whether the cast can carry the blockbuster, and exactly how I feel about a particular scene that defies all logic. (No Spoilers!)
Letter Grade: B+