gladiator II returns us to rome’s glorious colosseum, with oscar nominated director ridley scott delivering another epic of mammoth scale. the film pits heroes old and new against a host of tyrannical villains, and indie favourite paul mescal impresses as lucius, an honourable soldier taken prisoner by a war crazed rome and thrust into battles that test his every limit. oscar winner denzel washington steals the show as the flamboyant macrinus, while pedro pascal is a formidable presence as general acacius, the troubled servant of the mad twin emperors. scott’s signature scale and spectacle are on full display, making gladiator ii both a thrilling return and a showcase of commanding performances.