‘Gladiator II’ is an entertaining watch despite an emotional letdown from the original

Within minutes, the plot of ‘Gladiator II” is clear to those who remember the film’s prequel, or are familiar with the action genre. 

Much like its predecessor, “Gladiator II” foregrounds its intense battles with an emotional backstory, hoping that audiences become invested in the hero’s journey. Yet, unlike Ridley Scott’s 2000 film “Gladiator,” the sequel’s emotional backstory falls flat, ensuring that the sequel’s titular gladiator battles will be unsuccessful in leaving viewers wanting more.

“Gladiator” follows Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Roman general exiled and sold into slavery to fight as a gladiator. Maximus fights for what they call “the dream of Rome” — to restore the city to a republic ruled by the Senate and free from its corrupt emperors. During his exile, Maximus’s wife and son are killed — plot points that contribute to Maximus’s solemn, yet passionate character. Scott deftly illustrates the hero archetype, and Maximus’s battles are loaded with tension and meaning. Each one serves a greater purpose, both for the fictional Roman Empire and for viewers’ experiences.

Though also directed by Scott, “Gladiator II” fails to deliver the same impactful emotion. The film jumps nearly two decades to follow Lucius (Paul Mescal), who is also taken as a slave to serve as a gladiator. At first, the dedication to the original narrative is forgivable, if not understandable. Lucius faces nearly identical tragic circumstances as Maximus, but they serve to set up the film’s gladiator-focused plot. As the film goes on, however, its storylines grow increasingly predictable and uninspired, with nearly all of them having happened to Maximus in the prequel. Scott seems to think that because past audiences connected with Maximus, new ones will simply do the same with Lucius. The result is an underbaked plot that lacks any new emotional context.

Admittedly, “Gladiator II”’s action sequences are visually stunning. From the most grandiose events — like sharks swimming in a water-filled colosseum — to the up-close one-on-one battles, the visuals match the epic scale that the “Gladiator” franchise requires. No matter the size of the battle, actors Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington inspire most of the film’s energy and awe. Mescal evokes enough of Crowe’s stoicism to continue his legacy but also infuses the right amount of anger and vengeance to make his own performance — not necessarily Lucius’s character — memorable. With Washington’s electric performance as a conniving slave owner to match, the pair is a bright light within the film’s otherwise uninspired storyline.

Aside from Mescal and Washington, the star-studded cast largely delivers exciting performances. Joseph Quinn masterfully captures the spirit of the overpowered, overzealous Emperor Geta. Pedro Pascal’s worn-out General Acacius inspires sympathy and sadness in an otherwise chaotic environment. Smaller side characters shape the world around Lucius, somewhat developing the atmospheric tension that primes us for the intensifying action. Yet, at times, they detract from the focus — Lucius and the fate of Rome — ultimately leaving all the characters largely underdeveloped and the audience simply waiting for the violence and action.

It is difficult for a decades-delayed sequel to live up to its Oscar-winning prequel. Reviewing “Gladiator II” on its own, the film’s action and scale are impressive. Scott stays true to his original story and editing style, artfully weaving in a few flashbacks and evoking a bit of nostalgia in long-time fans. Actors in all career stages deliver engaging and thoughtful performances, making the film worth seeing on the big screen. Despite its narrative shortcomings, “Gladiator II” is an exciting, thrilling watch. In Maximus’s famous words, maybe you’ll even be entertained.