There's nothing wrong with a grunting, violent, ancient Roman holiday, especially when it boasts a supporting performance as delicious as Denzel Washington’s Machiavellian Macrinus.

"Gladiator II" doesn't try to out-epic the original movie. Instead, it veers more bonkers with a steely Paul Mescal and a delicious Denzel Washington.

Ridley Scott's long-anticipated return to ancient Rome is a pale shadow of its Best Picture-winning predecessor.

David Scarpa, Peter Craig, David Franzoni Starring: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger Rating: R for strong bloody violence Runtime: 148 minutes There has been a path paved for him to the world of the sword-and-sandal epic with Gladiator II.

Ridley Scott's sequel to the 2000 film puts the spectacular into spectacle and needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible, writes our reviewer.

From the very beginning, it is evident the sequel's entire existence relies on Gladiator nostalgia — from the recap-esque opening credits to multiple flashbacks throughout the story, recycled quotes and items like Maximus' armour and Marcus Aurelius' ring, and a pointed use of Hans Zimmer's iconic soundtrack.

Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal also star in the sequel that brings superb spectacle and storytelling in equal measure.

While many of the reviewers who got an early look at the follow-up to the 2001 best picture winner said it's largely a rehash, most of them were dazzled by its battles and epic scope.