When “Gladiator” was released in 2000, it took audiences by storm, rolling its way to the Academy Award for Best Picture.

One can argue (OK me) if that award was justified, but there is no real argument that the sequel – 24 years in the making – is one of the most anticipated films of the holiday season.

“Gladiator II” proves to be a bit of a mixed bag – with director Ridley Scott going back to the well with the same formula as the original. There are a few action sequences that work, but the story is overstuffed with mostly bland characters and dialogue better suited for a soap opera.

The sequel takes place almost 20 years after the original with Maximus’s son Lucius (Paul Mescal) now living in hiding under the alias Hanno with his wife in Numida.

His peaceful solitude is ended when Roman soldiers, led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invade – killing his wife and taking Lucius as a slave.

Lucius draws the attention of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), who is interested in adding the young man to his stable of gladiators. As Lucius tries to fight his way to freedom, the co-emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) reign of tyranny is threatened from multiple sides – including Acacius and his wife (and Lucius’s mother) Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Macrinus.

The original “Gladiator” was a film that began with an exceptional action sequence in the first 20 minutes – only to completely grind to a halt and never recapture the highs from the opening scenes.

The sequel suffers from the same pacing. Scott’s direction in the opening battle is impressive (especially in IMAX format). At least this time we get a few more high points (and one unintentionally hilarious set piece), but there are way too many lulls with long stretches of dialogue and narrative that we’ve seen before in better films.

Mescal is OK in the lead role, but nothing special. Pascal is fine too as is Nielsen, but they are all completely overshadowed by Washington – who steals the movie with ease.

Washington practically chews up the scenery as the former slave wanting to take down the Roman Empire single-handedly. It’s the kind of performance that is so loose and care free that it feels out of place in this stuffy historical drama. If the film had been told from the point of view of Macrinus, then this sequel could have worked, but as it is it’s basically bland with a few spots of promise here and there.

So the final verdict on this sequel, is it really worth it?

For fans of the original it’s more of the same. For everyone else it’s all Denzel and little else.

If You Go
“Gladiator II”
Starring: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rating: R for strong bloody violence
Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)
Grade: C+