Gladiator II

"Gladiator II is the long-awaited sequel, nearly a quarter-century later, to one of the most acclaimed and beloved films in Ridley Scott’s filmography, the original Gladiator. With this background, and following an uneven streak for the director including House of Gucci and Napoleon, there was a lot riding on this second installment, which manages to deliver, though not innovate. The story, set decades after the original, follows a Numidian warrior named Hanno (Paul Mescal), who is forced to fight as a gladiator when his North African kingdom is conquered by the Roman general Acacius (Pedro Pascal). However, the Roman Empire is in conflict due to the corrupt rule of two twin emperors, and the true lineage of Hanno, Acacius' affiliations, and the ambitions of the mysterious slave trader Macrinus (Denzel Washington) come into play. The narrative structure is almost identical, and while Scott and screenwriter David Scarpa introduce different perspectives on the nature of power, at its core, this is another revenge story similar to the first. However, it’s just as spectacular, if not more so, than the original, so if you’re a fan of the classic, you’re almost certain to enjoy the sequel."