History has a way of repeating itself, as we learn in “Gladiator II,” a sequel that traces many of the original’s steps. Here, though, Paul Mescal is the outsider railing at a corrupt government. He’s the son of Maximus (Russell Crowe in the original) who has been prompted to leave his idyllic life in Numidia when a Roman army (led by Pedro Pascal) sweeps in and pulls Mescal’s Lucius into its breads and circuses.
Quickly, he’s tossed into the Colosseum where he’s able to hold his own with a bunch of monkeys. Yup, monkeys. Twenty-four years after “Gladiator,” Ridley Scott is back with more swords, sandals and .
.. a rhino.
Yes, that horned mammal makes its way into the Colosseum this time, but it’s far from the only new addition. Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal star in this sequel, set several decades following the events of the original movie. (Nov.
22, in theaters) Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures via AP Senators like this plucky gladiator and, soon, he’s fighting all sorts of adversaries (including sharks ...
don’t ask). His mother (Connie Nielsen in one of the few returning performances) spots him immediately and wonders if, maybe, history can be changed. She’s under the thumb of twin emperors (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), however, who look like they’re wearing too much sunscreen and act like they’ve attended too many Wine Wednesdays.
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They’re easily influenced and that’s where Denzel Washingt.