Ridley Scott’s twenty-four-year-old modern classic, “Gladiator,” succeeded due to an impeccable cast, a powerful screenplay (courtesy of David Franzoni, William Nicholson, and John Logan), and some of the best filmmaking of Scott’s career. The picture went on to win five Oscars, including Best Picture and a Best Actor win for its lead and solidified Sir Ridley’s prowess at crafting artful historical dramas with bold action set pieces. A hit with critics and audiences, it was a work that didn’t need a sequel, but the director has returned for “Gladiator II.” While the film doesn’t have the emotional depth found in the first one, Scott returns to Ancient Rome for a sequel that succeeds as engaging and visceral entertainment.

Writer David Scarpa has created some good characters and has designed quite an enthralling tale, but the screenplay for “Gladiator II” is basically a carbon copy of the first film. This one features the story of another man who loses the family he loves only to become a slave who becomes a gladiator who fights to save Rome from an evil ruler. The dramatic beats are familiar, and the plot becomes unnecessarily overstuffed. Still, the script tethers itself dramatically to the first film while Scott and company work hard to dazzle audiences with bold battles and entrance viewers with the sheer grandeur of the production design.

In an arc that seems to parallel the United States currently Rome is caught in the grasp of those who seek power over justice as the Roman empire is once again in the hands of vicious men who care not for the people. This time, it is twin-brother emperors, Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), two Caligula-esque maniacs who revel in violence and evil. The film opens with General Marcus Acacius (a subdued Pedro Pascal) sailing with his army to the North African province of Numidia to claim it in the name of Rome and its brother emperors. A battle ensues that takes the life of Arishat, the wife of Lucius Verus (an intense Paul Mescal).

According to the new film, Lucius was sent away by his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), to keep him safe. After the battle, He is sent to Rome as a slave. Once there, his fighting skills catch the eye of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave turned wealthy tycoon who trades in slaves. In other words, Washington is this film’s version of the Oliver Reed character from “Gladiator.” As Lucius is on a quest to kill Acacius and avenge the death of his bride, Macrinus has a deeper desire for personal gain than he leads Lucius to believe. He schemes to find his way to absolute power, and the vengeful warrior will be his sword, as he uses Lucius to cut a clear path to the throne.

Denzel Washington sinks his teeth into the villainous role of Macrinus. Using his intense eyes to sometimes chilling effect, the acting legend makes a gluttonous feast of his dialogue and revels in the over-the-top delivery of many lines. If it is true that the two-time Oscar winner’s performance feels out of place amongst his cohorts, it is still the most interesting and entertaining of the film. Washington finds a good balance between when to pull back and reach for the stratosphere. The patented wide smile works well for him here in a more menacing manner, while his gruff, commanding presence is mesmerizing. Washington doesn’t get overly cartoonish (as he did in “Training Day”) but has sinister fun with his character while making entertaining art out of being hammy.

As Lucius, Mescal mirrors Russell Crowe’s intensity as Maximus, but his character is drawn too close to Crowe’s. Lucius has rage from the loss of his loved one and vows to kill those responsible. While Mescal does very good work and proves himself capable in the combat sequences, it is a shame that Scarpa’s screenplay doesn’t give him a more unique design. When he becomes the leader of the group of slaves/gladiators, the script occasionally fails him. As the men are about to enter an arena in a fight to the death, Lucius simply says, “Survive.” Succinct but not cinematically savvy.

Where this exciting film strikes cinematic gold is in its battle scenes, an area in which the legendary director excels. The clashes of titans (both in and out of the massive arena) are brimming with bold creativity as Scott continues to push the envelope in each scene. “Gladiator II” expands on the first film’s combat moments, increasing the intensity and bloodshed. The gladiators fight a Roman warrior who rides a rhino. Our hero and his fellow barbarians must fight apes and tigers. In one incredibly designed sequence, the area is filled with water as two ships fight a naval battle to the death while blood-thirsty sharks await below the surface. Much of this is rather silly (and some bad CGI hampers a few scenes), but Scott goes all-in, making each moment captivating. Audiences will cheer at more than a few moments of gladiator mayhem.

Cinematographer John Mathieson captures the brutality of the action scenes and the beauty of Arthur Max’s production design with equal cinematic vigor. Even with all of the CGI-painted backdrops, Scott and his team gave 2024 cinema one of the best-looking films of the year. Without question, “Gladiator II” is a grand spectacle.

One of the original film’s most famous lines, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity,” is referenced here, while the first “Gladiator” echoes almost every moment. If it all feels familiar, the screenplay over-relies on callbacks to the first film. The connections certainly need to be there, but too often, the film becomes a pastiche of “Hey, remember that?” moments. Even Harry-Gregson Williams’ score reflects Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard’s themes from the first film. Issues aside, this long-gestating sequel makes something strong out of its story and exists as a riveting spectacle that doesn’t allow for a dull moment; pure popcorn entertainment with a little more.

There is a fearlessness to Ridley Scott. The filmmaker has constantly challenged himself for over forty-five years, traversing different genres easily. Ridley Scott is probably the only working director who can deliver a historic epic with the polish of Hollywood’s golden years while maintaining an artistic edge.

“Gladiator II” is a rousing and bloody adventure. Expertly directed and always compelling, the script’s flaws give way to one hell of a ride.