The new movie Gladiator II has started with a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than the first Gladiator film. The original movie, directed by Ridley Scott and released in 2000, got a 79% rating based on 258 reviews. In this sequel, Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, is the son of Maximus and finds himself forced to become a gladiator when General Marcus Acacius (played by Pedro Pascal) attacks his home, following orders from Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn).
According to Rotten Tomatoes (shared on X), the first reviews for Gladiator II are in, and they’re even better than the original! With 45 reviews, the movie has an 84% approval rating, meaning it gets a “Fresh” label because most critics liked it.
Critics praised Denzel Washington’s acting as Marcrinus, saying he did a fantastic job. Many also mentioned that this sequel feels different from the original Gladiator, in a good way.
Advertisement After more than 20 years of waiting, people have high expectations for Gladiator II, especially since the first Gladiator movie won an Oscar. Critics often compare new movies to the original, so they might be tougher on this sequel.
But it looks like the 2024 Gladiator sequel has impressed most critics! With a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than the first movie, the sequel shows it can stand on its own. Many critics agree it’s an intense movie by itself. We praise its exciting arena battles, powerful acting, and beautiful scenery, while also pointing out the strange, brutal side of ancient Rome’s gladiator fights.
Surprisingly, the original Gladiator only has a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. When it was first released, some critics, like Roger Ebert, found the writing bland and overly dramatic. This shows that critics’ reviews don’t always match how much audiences enjoy a movie. Winning an Oscar, however, has cemented its high status.
Also Read: Ridley Scott Reveals He Has Begun Writing ‘Gladiator 3’: “I’ve Got 8 Pages”
With Gladiator II receiving a higher Rotten Tomatoes score, the sequel seems even more promising. The reassuring reviews clarify that this isn’t just an unnecessary follow-up. Scott is already planning Gladiator 3! Based on reviews, this new film likely won’t be as emotionally intense as the original but instead leans into humor and some of Rome’s odd traditions. When it hits U.S. theaters on November 22, 2024, fans will finally see the long-awaited sequel.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes/X