This is what critics are saying before the release of “Gladiator 2”.

Ridley Scott fans gladiator were worried when the first trailer for the sequel was released. While I thought it was actually a pretty good trailer, I agreed with most fans who felt that the music didn't fit well. Why not use one of the original film's classic instrumental tracks instead? The film has great music and would appeal directly to the nostalgia centers in our brains. There are a lot of unforced errors in Hollywood.

Luckily, after the film's premiere in Los Angeles, early impressions of the film are circulating on social media, and they're almost universally positive, with critics raving about the sequel and the cast's performances.

Erik Anderson of Awards Watch writes: “GLADIATOR II is a true epic and Ridley Scott's best film in years. Paul Mescal is a great action star without sacrificing his indie character, a worthy heir to the throne. Denzel Washington eats every line and every costume without ever overdoing it.”

“Ridley Scott returns to the Colosseum to prove to the world that it is HE. DESPITE IT. RECEIVE. IT,” writes Griffin Schiller. “Absolutely BUZZ after #GladiatorII! An EPIC Shakespearean tale of hope, futility and power in a crumbling system. Denzel celebrates with a breathtaking, Machiavellian performance. What a picture!

“In this case, put Denzel Washington's name in the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for 'Gladiator 2,'” enthuses OffScreenCentral's Jillian Chilingerian.

“Gladiator II”serves up the richest feast of epic action set pieces and deliciously meaty betrayals,” writes critic Simon Thompson. “Stylishly in keeping with the original, Paul Mescal leads a solid, outstanding cast with flying colors. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger are a collective powerhouse.”

“Gladiator II is Ridley Scott’s best film since The Martian,” writes journalist Scott Menzel. “A big, bloody, hard-hitting action spectacle that builds on the legacy of the original.” The film features beautiful set pieces and many epic battles. Paul Mescal shines. Denzel Washington is chewing up the scenery here and looks like he's having the time of his life here.

In a reply to a follower, Menzel states: “Gladiator is the best film. There is no doubt about that. The film feels similar in tone, but with more craziness in terms of the battles.”

As expected, most critics, however positive, seem to agree. The original gladiator is the better of the two films, and one thing this film simply can't replicate is Russell Crowe's powerful performance as Maximus.

Gladiator II “I miss the focus and emotional punch of the original,” writes Will Mavity, “and Mescal isn't quite as compelling here as Crowe was in the original, but the film is brimming with memorable action, and Denzel soon steals the film.” one to become one of his most iconic performances.”

“GLADIATOR II works best as an acting showcase for Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn. It's mostly uneven and lacks the emotional punch of the first film,” writes Andrew J. Salazar. “However, Ridley Scott's direction is unhinged and makes this seem like an epic Roman opera. The visuals do the job.”

At least in the stills we've seen, they're pretty pictures indeed. I wasn't at the premiere so my review will have to wait until next month.

I watched it again recently gladiator on 4K Blu-ray with Dolby Surround Sound and it was just as epic as I remembered it from over two decades ago. Yes, the last time I saw the film was in the theater, which made a second look all the nicer since I had forgotten just enough to make the whole story feel fresh. I have to say that I remember enjoying it very much gladiator but I felt it lacked the emotional power and resonance of Mel Gibson Brave heart, which came out just a few years ago and remains my standard for historical epics. Despite it, gladiator was a great film and I'm more confident than ever that the sequel will at least be a worthy successor.

My only concern is whether this movie needed first of all a sequel. I recently heard director Quentin Tarantino talk about the problem with sequels and specifically his opinion Toy Story 3 is one of the best films of all time and rounds off the trilogy perfectly. Why do it? Toy Story 4 When was the story finished? I agree. Toy Story 4 was okay, but in some ways it devalued the previous film's perfect ending. Hopefully that won't be the case Gladiator II

Gladiator II hits theaters November 22nd. With such a positive initial reaction – in stark contrast to the reaction to Ridley Scott's recent historic flop – Napoleon-I have high hopes. This is dangerous, I know. You have to keep one's expectations in check. It's always better to go in skeptical and walk out excited than to walk out with an overwhelming feeling of disappointment.

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