Gladiator II is officially Ridley Scott’s biggest grossing film in the UK and Ireland. The big budget sequel has scored £31.5m in ticket sales since its release on 15th November with the film still playing on the big screen prior to a digital release later this month.
Gladiator II has now surpassed the number of its predecessor and, at the time of writing, has grossed a huge $450 million globally. It still has time to overtake Gladiator (2000) which took $465 million in cinemas when it was released.
It has also enjoyed critical success, scoring 9 BAFTA categories in the long list, including Best British Film and Supporting Actor.
From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
We loved the film, too. In our theatrical review, we said:
Rehashed ideas aside, the sheer force at which this thing moves is exhilarating. Scott stages gigantic set-pieces – even going so far as to create a 1:1 practical reconstruction of the Colosseum – with such ease and the action is slick and brutal as people are decapitated and limbs are slashed left, right and centre. It’s bombastic and indulgent and a bit sprawling – not all of the subplots coalesce – but Gladiator 2 is, if nothing else, a thoroughly good time at the movies.
More of our thoughts at the end go the link.
