Ridley Scott’s Gladiator wasn’t just a global box office hit and critically acclaimed, it’s a film that’s immortalized in pop culture. Gladiator has been quoted, spoofed, and studios have tried to capture that magic through various films and television shows. Jay-Z even opens his song “What More Can I Say” with Maximus’ “Are you not entertained” speech.

24 years later, Scott and his team hope to recapture lighting in a bottle with the highly anticipated sequel Gladiator II.

Set sixteen years after the death of Maximus, Gladiator II follows Lucius (Paul Mescal). After the Roman army, led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), attacks Lucius’ homeland, he’s taken into slavery and forced to fight as a gladiator. After a successful fight, he’s purchased by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), and trained to fight in Rome’s Colosseum.

Despite fighting in the Colosseum, Lucius’ anger is fixated on Acacius, the man that murdered his wife and destroyed his homeland. The longer Lucius stays in Rome, more is revealed about his identity and what Macrinus’ plans are for himself and Rome.

Written by David Scarpa and directed by Ridley Scott, the film is a serviceable sequel that shadows Gladiator in a many ways. The plot points, spectacle, Colosseum fights feel very familiar – scolded man that lost his wife is seeking revenge on the person/empire responsible and is forced to fight in Gladiator games.

Paul Mescal does his best, but his performance is mostly hollow. The surface level revenge plot is masked by the incredible action sequences and the artistic direction of Ridley Scott. The conviction Russell Crowe’s Maximus held is missing from this film and Mescal’s performance. Mescal’s performance could’ve been better if Lucius’ revenge was a little more complicated or grounded in something more than just revenge.

What makes the lead performance more jarring is the colorful flashy performances by Denzel Washington and Joseph Quinn (who plays Emperor Geta). They deliver the most entertaining performances in the film. While every other character is in a muted period piece about Rome, these two are in a much lighter and fun film about gladiators. The movie comes alive when they’re both onscreen. From the moment he walks on screen, Denzel brings Macrinus’ to life using his charisma and charm.  I don’t know if this is an Oscar winning performance from Denzel but it’s the most fun I’ve seen him on screen in a very long time.

The best part of the film is the battle sequences. They fight crazed baboons, other warriors, rhinos, and there’s an epic nautical battle in the Colosseum that’s worth the price of admission. There’s enough eye candy onscreen to cover some of the plot points that are a little slow and monotonous.

Despite how much of an imitation the film feels at times, Gladiator II is entertaining and fun. The beautiful battle scenes, and gladiator fights hide how empty the rest of the film is and how underutilized Pedro Pascal is. It’s not the cultural phenomenon Gladiator was but audiences will be entertained once again.

Grade: B