GLADIATOR II works best as an acting showcase for Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, & Joseph Quinn. It's largely uneven & lacks the emotional punch of the first film. However, Ridley Scott's direction is unhinged, framing this as an epic Roman opera. The visuals get the job done. pic.twitter.com/R0xRDFTuwX

Early reactions to Ridley Scott's belated sequel Gladiator II have come in from across social media, but how are its initial audiences responding?

The first Gladiator 2 reactions are in – and they're very positive. The Ridley Scott-directed sequel is arriving 24 years after the original movie, and it stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal,