‘Gladiator II’: Glad There Won’t be a III

The great Ridley Scott swings and misses in this melodramatic sequel whose main cinematic crime is set pieces featuring low-budget and outdated-looking CGI.
‘Gladiator II’: Glad There Won’t be a III
Lucius (Paul Mescal, L) and Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), in "Gladiator II." Paramount Pictures
Mark Jackson
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R | 2h 28m | Action, Drama | Nov. 22, 2024

It’s been almost a quarter century since the original “Gladiator” sealed Russell Crowe’s fame during the summer of 2000. A-list Hollywood director Ridley Scott’s epic ode to the Roman Empire was a big-budget, breathtaking tour de force that put the phrase “Are you not entertained?” in the American pop lexicon and secured the movie’s place in history with five Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.
Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson
Film Critic
Mark Jackson is the chief film critic for The Epoch Times. In addition to film, he enjoys martial arts, motorcycles, rock-climbing, qigong, and human rights activism. Jackson earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Williams College, followed by 20 years' experience as a New York professional actor. He narrated The Epoch Times audiobook "How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World," available on iTunes, Audible, and YouTube. Mark is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic.