Review: 'Gladiator II' an Epic Followup to the Original

In a Hollywood suffering from franchise fatigue, where the revisiting of a tested formula is no longer a guaranteed boom at the box office, one imagines that there is no bigger risk than Paramount Picture's "Gladiator II," opening in theaters on November 22.

Filmmaker Ridley Scott has long suggested that he had a sequel at the ready to his Academy Award-winning epic starring Russell Crowe (awarded an Oscar for his leading role). Twenty-five years later, he returns to the arena with a new band ready for battle.

The Fall of Rome didn't happen overnight, contrary to many beliefs. The original feature film set up the intrigue and put the pieces and pawns in place, including the politicians, crooked and corrupt, as well as those dedicated to democracy, and an Emperor obsessed with the spectacle of violence, with all roads leading to the depths on the Colosseum. The world's fate was decided in blood, and not by debate.

Russell Crowe's epic portrayal of Maximus could be daunting for any actor to follow. Still, the reigns have been passed to Paul Mescal, who is cast as Lucius, Maximus's exiled son, an actual prince of Rome whose fate follows in the footsteps of his father. Captured in battle, Lucius, who has kept his identity a secret, finds himself in the clutches of Macrinus, winningly played by Denzel Washington, a slaver who has incredible ambitions and uses his guile to build power for himself while providing the Roman Empire with sport in its Colosseum.

Seizing on the rare opportunity presented when he comes across the uniquely capable Lucius, Macrinus turns the powerful soldier and natural leader of men into a star in the arena, grabbing the attention of the corrupt Roman Emperors, portrayed by Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger. They are not the only ones who recognize Lucius's virtues. Lucilla, portrayed once again by Connie Nielsen, sees her son immediately and convinces her new husband, General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), that the time to retake Rome for the people has come – and that he must prevent Lucius from dying in the arena.

The political machinations ultimately lead to the two warriors facing each other in the Colosseum to amuse the emperors and the blood-thirsty crowds. The battles are as visceral as audiences have come to expect, and movie-making technology has evolved so that Rome and the ancient world are more atmospherically impressive than in the first feature. Ridley Scott focuses on his characters and the drama they are plunged into: Lucius's emergence as a hero determined to rally for freedom and democracy will likely resonate in today's climate.

But truly, the audience will be focused on the sweaty fight sequences, of which there are plenty. After the rippling muscles and blood-soaked aftermath of arena battles, Scott has delivered an epic film. "Gladiator II" is as big as its setting, and is an intriguing continuation of the 2000 film. Worth seeing in theaters, although it might be somewhat overwhelming in IMAX, the film puts the viewer in the thick of the action.

"Gladiator II" opens in theaters nationwide on November 22nd.