8.3/10 stinky bananas
Pretty damn good sequel. This movie had pretty big shoes to fill. Some may say, Shaq sized. Gladiator 2 didn't quite get there, but it was solid. I'd call it a men's sized 11, but a nice size 11, like a pair of Jordans or Reebok Pumps.
Remember Reebok Pumps? Those ruled. They got to bring those back.
Everything about Gladiator 2 is a slight downgrade in comparison to its predecessor. The script is worse. The acting is worse. It's not to say that the acting was bad. It's quite the opposite. I think the whole cast is very good, but the fact of the matter is that Paul Mescal didn't live up to the legend that is Maximus Decimus Meridius. How could he? It's an impossible feat.
The only thing that's up to par is the action sequences. Ridley Scott knocked it out of the park. The naval battle at the beginning and the naval battle inside the Colosseum are unbelievable action scenes. The fact that they flooded the Colosseum in real life and had gladiator battles in there is fucking nuts. Nothing cooler than the Roman Empire, am I right fellas?
The story is a little more chaotic than the first but I thought it was well executed. I had fun.
Anyway, go watch it. It's a good movie.