Is Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 the best film of the year? Critics say yes

It hasn’t deed cinemas conscionable yet, but critics fortunate capable to spot an beforehand screening are praising Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2 arsenic the movie that’s going to gain him his 3rd Academy Award.

The blockbuster, which is scheduled to beryllium released connected November 15, comes 24 years aft Russell Crowe’s film, with the star’s legendary Maximus agelong gone and a caller gladiator emerging.

Played by nary different than, Normal People actor, Paul Mescal, 28, takes connected the lead role of Lucius in Scott’s long-awaited follow-up feature, with Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington also successful the cast.

And portion a trailer released successful September got fans excited astir what’s to come, peculiarly arsenic Lucius is faced with lone 1 enactment of warring for his rights aft being torn distant from his woman and daughter, it seems the latest online chatter is giving fans adjacent much crushed to privation distant the days.

Taking to X, Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, Jillian Chili called the movie an ‘absolute triumph’ and praised Ridley for his storytelling.

‘GLADIATOR 2 is an implicit triumph, Ridley Scott places you successful the enactment of the arena centered connected bequest and grant amping up the blood, battles, and biceps for thing truthful deliciously cinematic and Machiavellian. Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, & Joseph Quinn certified movie stars,’ she said.

Variety’s Senior Awards Editor Clayton Davis, besides weighed successful connected the film, stating the clip of blockbuster movies is back.

‘Welcome backmost to the f*****g movies!’ helium wrote. ‘That sums up #GladiatorII. Ridley Scott’s champion directorial effort since “Black Hawk Down.” I recovered Paul Mescal’s enactment arsenic Lucius to beryllium 1 of the film’s astir honorable surprises. This is Denzel Washington, having the clip of his beingness successful 1 of his astir slayer roles yet.’

He continued to say: ‘A 3rd Oscar could precise good travel his way. Sound, visuals, costumes, you sanction it, this movie’s got it. Another blockbuster the Academy tin astir decidedly embrace. Let’s f**ing go!’

Elsewhere, amusement writer for The Root, Shanelle Genai said: ‘No similar I dont deliberation yall understand.. #GladiatorII mightiness really beryllium the champion movie of the twelvemonth to maine & Im truthful atrocious Ive watched a batch movies this twelvemonth I dont mean to beryllium hyperbolic but I cannot overstate HOW GOOD this movie is RUN, DONT WALK to the theatre connected November 22!’

Producer, manager and writer Simon Thompson besides had benignant words for the film, writing: ‘#GladiatorII serves up the richest feast successful the epic enactment acceptable pieces and deliciously ribald treachery. 

‘Dovetailing stylishly with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid, stellar formed with aplomb. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a corporate powerhouse.’

Emmy-nominated shaper and amusement writer Scott Mantz added: ‘GLADIATOR II is so the REAL DEAL! An epic sequel worthy of its Oscar-winning predecessor — large action, astonishing ocular effects, stellar performances crossed the committee (esp. PAUL MESCAL & DENZEL WASHINGTON)! A instrumentality to signifier for manager RIDLEY SCOTT! I was ENTERTAINED!’

It comes aft a 2nd trailer confirmed a bombshell instrumentality mentation relating to Mescal’s character.

A bombshell we are astir to reveal, truthful if you don’t privation immoderate spoilers, click retired now.

The trailer’s jaw-dropping infinitesimal reveals that Lucius is not the lad of Lucius Verus, arsenic helium thought helium was, but alternatively the lad of Maximus, yes, Crowe’s quality from the archetypal film.

The daze revelation is uncovered to fans erstwhile Lucius’ parent Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, emotionally tells him earlier helium goes into conflict astatine the Colosseum: ‘Lucius, instrumentality your father’s strength. His sanction was Maximus. And I spot him successful you.’

The trailer past cuts to Maximus’ sanction carved into the wall, which Lucius touches earlier doing battle.

Gladiator 2 volition beryllium successful cinemas from November 15.

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