It has been a lengthy journey (24 years to be exact), but Ridley Scott has finally delivered “Gladiator II”, the long-rumored sequel to his 2000 Oscar-winning epic “Gladiator”. I’m a massive fan of the Russell Crowe led original and wasn’t convinced we needed a sequel to such a brilliant all-timer. But Scott has been working on a second film since 2001, parsing through ideas, shaping and reshaping scripts, and getting the right people onboard.

That brings us to “Gladiator II”, Ridley Scott’s return to the Roman Empire although without the rugged star-power of Russell Crowe. But stepping into his sandals is rising star Paul Mescal who pours every ounce of himself into the role of Lucius Verus. Fans of the first film might recognize that name as he was the young grandson of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (originally played by Spencer Treat Clark). Lucius’ story is the centerpiece of this spectacular sequel that delivers everything you want from a big budget blockbuster.

This time around the screenplay is handled by David Scarpa who just recently worked with Scott on “Napoleon”. Scarpa dusts off several story threads from the 2000 film and reuses them with mostly new characters. But this isn’t some lazy rehash of its predecessor. Scott and Scarpa add several new threads of their own, often braiding them with the old to make something fresh. It results in a film that proudly honors the original while creating an identity very much its own.

“Gladiator II” opens with one of the most exhilarating battle sequences Ridley Scott has ever put to screen. In 200 A.D., under the leadership of General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), the Roman army invades Numidia, the last free city in Africa Nova. Helping defend the city is Lucius who has been living under the alias Hanno. During the brutal and bloody battle, Lucius’ wife Arishat (Yuval Gonen) is killed and he is enslaved.

Lucius is taken to the outskirts of Rome where he and other captives are thrown into an arena to fight feral baboons in front of potential buyers. Lucius impresses Macrinus (Denzel Washington) who buys him to add to his stable of gladiators. Macrinus is a mysterious but clearly ambitious man who sees the rage in Lucius as a means to fulfill his bigger plans. As he does with every film he’s in, the charismatic Washington makes “Gladiator II” better. He has the time of his life playing Macrinus, a shrewd and politically savvy manipulator who has his eyes focused on one thing – unbridled power.

Meanwhile General Acacius returns to Rome where he is greeted by the depraved and corrupt twin emperors, Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) who immediately plan games in the Colosseum to celebrate Rome’s victories. But secretly the war-weary Acacius has grown disillusioned with the direction of Rome under the two Emperors. So much so that he and his wife Lucilla (a returning Connie Nielsen) are secretly organizing an insurrection with 5,000 soldiers loyal to Acacius making their way towards Rome.

As the city gathers for the upcoming gladiator games, the Machiavellian Macrinus seizes his opportunity to get closer to the throne. He convinces a reluctant Lucius to fight as his gladiator, promising him an opportunity for vengeance against Acacius if he wins enough fights in the Colosseum. And much like Crowe’s Maximus in the first film, Lucius will need to earn the trust of his fellow gladiators and win the Roman crowd if he is ever to have his chance at revenge.

Scarpa’s script is loaded with political intrigue and family revelations. But its the blood and brawn of the Colosseum that will drawn the most excitement. The action scenes are electric, combining intense choreography with brute spectacle. They’re wild, brutal, and extravagantly staged. Just as impressive are the magnificent costumes and the stunning production design, both of which benefit greatly from the film’s hefty budget. A shaky digital effect or two aside, the film is a dazzling visual achievement.

For some, comparing “Gladiator II” with its superior predecessor will be immediately yet fruitlessly tempting. The sequel may not reach the same heights or have the same impact, but it’s a worthy successor in nearly every regard. Rome lives and breathes through Scott’s bravura filmmaking and Scarpa’s incisive script, both of whom create a colossal Empire on the brink. And while there’s no shortage of juicy melodrama, underneath it simmers strong statements on power and oppression. Throw in a fiery Paul Mescal and a Denzel Washington performance for the ages, and you have the most entertaining big screen blockbuster of the year.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS