Ridley Scott’s long-gestating follow-up to the critically acclaimed 2000 blockbuster Gladiator is finally here and joins the ever-growing list of legacy sequels. Releasing 24 years after the original, Gladiator II boasts a star-studded cast, bold action sequences, and all the extravagance and excess of Rome. Naturally, the first question on people’s minds with sequels like this is, “Does it live up to the original?” but in the case of this feature, that framing feels very limiting. The film ultimately draws heavily from the story of the original but is at its best when it shifts into new territory and doesn’t try to retread the same ground as its predecessor.

Set sixteen years after the original, the film follows Lucius, the illegitimate son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus and Connie Nielson’s Lucilla, played by Paul Mescal. Forced into slavery after suffering defeat by Pedro Pascal’s Roman general Marcus Acacius, he becomes a gladiator for Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, a scheming elite with his sights set on Rome. Torn from his home, Lucius is forced to face tyrannical twin Emperors Geta, played by Joseph Quinn, and Caracalla, played by Fred Hechinger, and the ever-growing trials of the Colosseum.

As the star of the film, Mescal is forced to fill some rather daunting shoes as he follows up Crowe’s Academy Award-winning performance as Maximus. So, in that regard, the Aftersun star delivers a stirring performance as the exiled heir to the Roman empire but falls flat when the film tries to use his character as Maximus 2.0. Mescal’s at his best during the quieter moments with a gentle approach that echoes the film’s soul. But during the grander moments, it feels like he gets swallowed up by the scenery and the gravitas of the situation.

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Washington, on the other hand, dominates every scene as the Machiavellian foil. The star is having the time of his life in every scene as he slinks through the glitz and glamour of the Roman elite with such blinding charisma that you can’t help but be drawn in by his performance. As Macrinus, he eats up the scene as all eyes are on him, and it feels like his character is always one step ahead of both the rest of the characters and the audience.

The rest of the cast also delivers great performances, but it feels like they get swept away in some of the chaos and rush of the film. In all the action and intrigue of the story, some characters don’t get a chance to let their circumstances settle in, which is where some feel lost in the chaos. Pascal and Nielson are two such examples as they offer up rather emotional and, at times, powerful performances, but it feels like something is missing for them in the final picture.

But that rush is also one of Gladiator II‘s strengths. The sequel is in no way lacking in action, as it features all the epic battles one would expect while upping the ante with each consecutive sequence. From all-out war to fighting off sharks in staged naval battles in the Colosseum, the action is so well-choreographed and shot that it keeps the audience on the edge. Much like the original in this respect, one can feel transported to the field of combat thanks to impressive sound design and quality visual effects.

Another of the film’s best features is the scale and detail of the production design. The sets reflect the extravagant nature of a dying empire clawing at the last scraps of splendor. Additionally, it helps to draw the link to the first film as it maintains the same visual expectations the audience has, which makes sense as cinematographer John Mathieson, production designer Arthur Max, and costume designer Janty Yates worked on the original.

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Lastly, the score from composer Harry Gregson-Williams does an excellent job of setting the stage for some powerful moments, but it can feel like a rehash of Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard’s original. Echoing the epic nature one would expect from the film, the score doesn’t exactly speak for itself but feels like a greatest hit record from the first film. That aside, it is still effective in establishing the emotional context of the film.

As far as legacy sequels go, it feels safe to say that Gladiator II is one of the better out there. When it can poke its head out of the shadow of the original, it shines, thanks to its grand scale, intense action, and a fantastic performance from Washington. So, for fans of the original looking to recapture that same excitement and thrill, this film is sure to entertain.– Jacob Campbell

Rating: 8/10

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II is in theaters November 22.