Critics are raving about Gladiator 2 — the first reviews of the film have appeared

Amid anticipation for the release of Ridley Scott's new film Gladiator 2, full reviews have begun to appear, and the first responses from the international press have been generally positive. The film, which is set to be released internationally on November 22, has a score of 67 on Metacritic based on 30 reviews and an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, which has collected 44 reviews.

Critics have praised Ridley Scott's mastery of large-scale spectacular scenes, his attention to detail, and the impressive choreography of the fight sequences. Denzel Washington's performance is particularly noted, which many reviewers say adds depth to the film. His performance was one of the main talking points among reviewers.

Not all reviews have been so enthusiastic, however. Some critics have expressed dissatisfaction with the storyline and the approach to the historical elements of the film. Vulture's Alison Willmore noted that "those who think about the Roman Empire need something deeper."

Despite criticism of the plot, many reviewers agreed that Gladiator 2 is impressive in its scope and visuals. The Seattle Times called it "big, bold, and borderline incredible," while IndieWire noted that while the action scenes are impressive, they can't quite make up for the weak storytelling.

The film follows an adult Lucius, the son of Lucilla and nephew of the Emperor Commodus, many years after the events of the first film. In addition to Denzel Washington, the lead roles are played by Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Connie Nielsen, who returns to her role from the original.

Gladiator 2 is set to hit theaters worldwide on November 22, 2024.