Paramount Pictures
The first reactions to Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II hit the internet over the weekend and not only does the film apparently live up to its Best Picture-winning predecessor, but Denzel Washington supposedly gives an Academy Award-worthy performance in the film.
Virtually all of the reactions out of the Gladiator II screening over the weekend have been overwhelmingly positive, with specific praise being paid to the performance of the iconic actor, who already has two Oscars under his belt for his work in Glory and Training Day.
In Gladiator II, Denzel plays one of the film’s antagonists, Macrinus, a former slave who keeps a stable of gladiators and plots to take over Rome.
“You’re not going to believe this but Denzel is great in GLADIATOR 2,” said Hollywood insider Matthew Belloni of Puck News.
“Gladiator II lacks the focus and emotional punch of the original, and Mescal isn’t quite as captivating a lead here as Crowe was in the original, but it’s overflowing with memorable action and it’s got Denzel stealing the movie in soon to be one of his most iconic performances,” one Twitter user said of the film.
“This is Denzel Washington, having the time of his life in one of his most killer roles yet. A third Oscar could very well come his way,” read another giddy review of Gladiator II.
Gladiator II will hit movie theaters in the United States on Friday, November 22. In addition to the iconic Denzel Washington, Gladiator II also stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, and more.
You can check out the official synopsis and trailer for Gladiator II, via Paramount Pictures, below.
“Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.”