‘Gladiator II’ first screening has rave reviews: “The ‘we are so back’ of bloody costume epics”

The first screening of Gladiator II took place in Los Angeles in front of an audience of AMPAS and SAG voters yesterday (October 18) and the first reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.

The sequel hits cinemas on November 15 in the UK and a week later in the US, and it stars Paul Mescal as Lucius, the former heir to the Roman Empire who is forced into slavery after the invasion of Pedro Pascal’s General Marcus Acacius.

Set 25 to 30 years after the events of the 2000 film, Lucius resolves to become a gladiator, and takes inspiration from the legend of Maximus Decimus Meridius, played in an Oscar-winning performance by Crowe in the original.

Online, many attendees have praised the film, particularly the performances of Mescal, Pascal and Denzel Washington as Macrinus.

“Apes! Sharks! Syphilitic emperors! ‘Gladiator II’ is some absolute sicko shit and Denzel Washington is relishing every. single. minute,” wrote The LA Times’ Matt Brennan. “The ‘we are so back’ of bloody costume epics.”

“#GladiatorII is the perfect continuation of the original & an epic story in its own right,” added journalist Caitlin Tyrell. “A fantastic cast, but Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, & Paul Mescal are transcendent! Countless intense blood soaked fight sequences! @GladiatorMovie demands to be seen on the big screen!

Scott Mantz added: “GLADIATOR II is indeed the REAL DEAL! An epic sequel worthy of its Oscar-winning predecessor — great action, amazing visual effects, stellar performances across the board (esp. PAUL MESCAL & DENZEL WASHINGTON)! A return to form for director RIDLEY SCOTT! I was ENTERTAINED!”

Check out more reactions below:

Apes! Sharks! Syphilitic emperors! “Gladiator II” is some absolute sicko shit and Denzel Washington is relishing every. single. minute. The “we are so back” of bloody costume epics.

— Matt Brennan (@thefilmgoer) October 19, 2024

#GladiatorII is the perfect continuation of the original & an epic story in its own right. A fantastic cast, but Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, & Paul Mescal are transcendent! Countless intense blood soaked fight sequences! @GladiatorMovie demands to be seen on the big screen! pic.twitter.com/LH3Z7clqrH

— Caitlin Tyrrell (@caitlin_tyrrell) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR 2 is an absolute triumph, Ridley Scott places you in the action of the arena centered on legacy and honor amping up the blood, battles,and biceps for something so deliciously cinematic and Machiavellian. Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, & Joseph Quinn certified movie stars. pic.twitter.com/0oy0jjrRUH

— Jillian (@JillianChili) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR II works best as an acting showcase for Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, & Joseph Quinn. It's largely uneven & lacks the emotional punch of the first film.

However, Ridley Scott's direction is unhinged, framing this as an epic Roman opera. The visuals get the job done. pic.twitter.com/R0xRDFTuwX

— Andrew J. Salazar (@AndrewJ626) October 19, 2024

#Gladiator2 isn’t just arguably the best film of the year, it’s one of the best of all-time.

It’s one of those films that will reinvigorate your love for cinema. It defy’s expectations, the performances are outstanding (denzel just locked in another oscar), the score is just as… pic.twitter.com/SuLDNkORFF

— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) October 19, 2024

Rest easy, Romans. #Gladiator2 is the kind of large scale filmmaking excellence only Ridley Scott could corral. Everything about it just works. Big #Maverick vibes in its ability to conjure the past while adding something new. Bold, muscular filmmaking from a legendary talent. pic.twitter.com/ZpowkMpPV1

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) October 19, 2024

GLADIATOR II was massive! Paul Mescal was charismatic & Denzel Washington was such an entertaining villain. The arena games were imaginatively brutal! Baboons, sharks, rhinos they were freakin insane! Epic & ruthless. Ridley Scott has done it again.#GladiadorII #Gladiator2 pic.twitter.com/cnxoJ5tO4M

— Rama's Screen (@RamasScreen) October 19, 2024

In the US, the film will be released on the same day as the film version of the musical Wicked, with fans dubbing the doubleheader ‘Glicked’, in homage to ‘Barbenheimer’.

In other news, Mescal has said that he did not get in touch with Russell Crowe for advice during the making of the film.

Speaking in a new interview with GQ, he said: “I wouldn’t know what to say. I think it’s also a mistake when people go, ‘This was Russell’s thing’. Russell had proven himself time and time again. And he proved himself time and time again after Gladiator. An amazing career like Russell has had wasn’t built by just Gladiator.”

Elsewhere, director Ridley Scott recently spoke about his reasons for not consulting Crowe about the new film, after the actor said he felt “slightly uncomfortable” about the sequel.

“I think [Russell Crowe] is still one of the best actors in the world, and I think we have a good relationship,” Scott said. “I hope we do. As long as he doesn’t start bitching about how he wasn’t consulted. Why would I? He’s dead!”

Scott also recently said that he is already turning his mind to the idea of a third Gladiator film. “I’ve lit the fuse,” he said. “The ending of Gladiator II is reminiscent of The Godfather, with Michael Corleone finding himself with a job he didn’t want, and wondering, ‘Now, Father, what do I do?’ So the next [film] will be about a man who doesn’t want to be where he is.”

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