*Warning, this review contains spoilers if you haven't seen Gladiator II*
Gladiator II could have easily fallen into the many pitfalls that sequels to a classic do, however, Ridley Scott has avoided most of them for a thoroughly enjoyable film.
Irish star Paul Mescal proves a worthy successor to Russell Crowe's Maximus in the 2000 film.
It's a very different showing, and viewers should also expect a very different film to the original, but it does not disappoint.
Lucius (Mescal) is absolutely full of rage, and he must go on a journey to harness it in the brutal surroundings of Rome's Colosseum. Some of the fight scenes are visually stunning, and suitably gory.
In this version of Rome, twin-brother emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) rule over a city which has declined into disorder and decadence.
The terrifying and unstable duo serve as villains until the real one takes off his mask.
That brings us to Denzel Washington, who puts on a tour de force as Macrinus, a wealthy gladiator owner who is intent on climbing the political ladders of Rome.
He does this in a cunning and sly way, every bit the Roman politician, albeit with a deadly streak.
While Mescal and Washington are certainly the standout performers in the film, Pedro Pascal (Marcus Acacius) plays a beloved general, married to Connie Nielson's Lucilla and they are both impressive.
The film plays out at a relentless pace, typical of Ridley Scott, and the two and a half hours fly by as viewers are immersed in a chaotic but visually stunning Rome.
****
