GLADIATOR II

Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Derek Jacobi, Rory McCann, Matt Lucas, Peter Mensah

Ridley Scott wowed audiences with his 2000 film Gladiator, which went on to win 5 Oscars including Best Picture. He’s back and expanding on that story with Gladiator II. In the first film, we saw Maximus and Lucilla’s young son Lucious sent off to live in hiding as a mode of protection and survival. He’s now grown up and played by Paul Mescal who finds his city and people under attack by the Roman empire. His wife is killed under the command of Marcus Acacius (Pascal). This sets up this story of revenge for Lucious. His skills in the gladiator ring fighting wild beasts makes him a hot commodity, and he’s sold off to be a slave under Macrinus (Washington). Macrinus knows the fall of Roman empire is imminent, as he plots his next few moves against Emperor Geta ( Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Hechinger). They’re a pair of mischievous and immature twins who hold too much power in Rome. Connie Nielson is one of the few original cast members who returns for the sequel. In theaters November 22

Here’s my review