Ridley Scott's 'Gladiator II', now in theaters, stars Paul Mescal as Lucius and Denzel Washington as Macrinus. Critics praise Washington's performance and action sequences, but cite pacing and emotional depth as concerns. The film explores themes of power, cruelty, and human nature while introducing new characters and a humorous twist with Dundus, a monkey who plays a pivotal role. While visually impressive, some reviewers argue the film lacks the narrative strength of its predecessor.