Rome teeters on the brink in Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.” Its fall is said to be imminent. The dream it once symbolized is dead. The once high-minded ideals of the Roman Empire have deteriorated across a venal land now ruled by a pale-faced emperor.

From the very beginning, it is evident the sequel's entire existence relies on Gladiator nostalgia — from the recap-esque opening credits to multiple flashbacks throughout the story, recycled quotes and items like Maximus' armour and Marcus Aurelius' ring, and a pointed use of Hans Zimmer's iconic soundtrack.

There's nothing wrong with a grunting, violent, ancient Roman holiday, especially when it boasts a supporting performance as delicious as Denzel Washington’s Machiavellian Macrinus.

Who was sceptical about reviving "Gladiator" after many years? There was no shortage of such people. And words of admiration are multiplying just before the official premiere in theatres. Let's recall that when the first information emerged that Ridley Scott was going to film a new instalment of "Gladiator,

The clock is ticking until Gladiator II hits theaters, and the buzz around the sequel is getting louder. The new excitement that follows Ridley Scott's genre-shifting masterpiece Gladiator is also hyped by the release of its positive Rotten Tomatoes score.