The highly anticipated "Gladiator II" is earning largely positive reviews ahead of its nationwide release next week. Despite the considerable time gap, critics appear to agree that the sequel brings back the spirit of the original Ridley Scott-directed movie, which bagged the best picture Oscar in 2000. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is maintaining a 77 percent freshness rating, while it has a decent 67 average on Metacritic, translating to "generally favorable" reviews.

"Gladiator II" resumes the saga years after the events of the original blockbuster featuring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. This time, we follow the story of Lucius Verus, played by Paul Mescal, the son of Maximus (Crowe's character), who is forced into the Colosseum after Rome's despotic emperors conquer his home. His home land of Numidia comes under siege by General Marcus Acacius, played by Pedro Pascal, forcing Lucius to draw upon his past to find the strength and honor to restore Rome. Denzel Washington makes a notable appearance as Macrinus, a former slave turned gladiator master.

This sequel mirrors director Scott’s knack for large-scale Hollywood epic feature films, bringing life back to franchises he initially sparked during his extensive career. Scott, a previous best director Oscar nominee for the original Gladiator, recreates the epic scale of the original narrative in this sequel.

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter suggested that while the film tends to rehash old content, it effectively delivers what fans expect: battle scenes, swordplay, bloodshed, and ancient Roman intrigue. However, there's a sense of familiarity that extends beyond the fight-for-survival theme and into the core of a drama significantly influenced by the original. On the other hand, Caryn James of the BBC praises Mescal for delivering a captivating performance girding the film's central theme.

Nick Schager from The Daily Beast calls the sequel "an elaborate imitation of its predecessor" but commends its majesty and the director's talent for grandiosity. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian enjoys the revisitation to the Roman arena by Scott and tips his hat to the film’s splendid spectacle and Mescal's imposing lead role. Empire magazine's Boyd Hilton also lauds the film, stating it manages to avoid being a predictable sequel and instead turns out to be an entertaining ride.

However, the film didn't impress everyone. Alison Willmore of New York magazine finds the action sequences thrilling but feels they highlight the rest of the film's triviality. Similarly, Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict feels disappointed with the lack of memorable moments and finds certain segments of the movie dull.

"Gladiator II" is scheduled to hit theaters on Nov. 22.