See it or Skip It? - Gladiator II

FIRST 26:00: Spoiler-Free Review with our See It/Skip It Verdict
AFTER 26:00: Full Spoiler Review

This week's See It or Skip It has us diving into the highly anticipated sequel Gladiator II (2024), now playing in theaters. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, and Pedro Pascal, this follow-up to the 2000 epic seeks to recapture the grandeur and intensity of its predecessor.

Join Ian and Megan as we journey back to ancient Rome to see if Gladiator II stands victorious in the Colosseum of cinematic sequels or if it falls beneath the weight of high expectations. Does it honor the legacy of the original while carving out its own identity, or does it merely retread old ground without fresh ambition?

We’ll examine the film’s bold storytelling choices—Does it justify its existence nearly 25 years after the original? How does Paul Mescal fare as the new lead, and does he bring the same gravitas Russell Crowe once did? And how do Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal elevate (or overshadow) the narrative?

We’ll also explore the visual spectacle and action sequences—Does Ridley Scott still reign as the master of historical epics? Are the battle sequences and cinematography breathtaking enough to rival the Academy Award-winning original? Did the filmmakers choose the wrong character to center the film around? And does the film’s score, now helmed by a new composer, evoke the same emotional resonance as Hans Zimmer’s legendary Gladiator soundtrack?

Finally, we’ll debate whether Gladiator II benefits from its legendary namesake or if it struggles under the pressure of following such an iconic film. Does the weight of expectation help or hinder its storytelling? And, of course, we’ll discuss the one scene that Megan just can’t forgive—will you feel the same way?

We’ll tackle all these questions as we dissect the movie and tell you if we think you should SEE IT or SKIP IT!