One memorable small scene that contributed significantly to the Best Picture win of a blockbuster like “Gladiator” is the interaction between Maximus and Quintus, which occurs soon after a tough battle. Maximus teases his comrade about being alive, and when Quintus affirms, Maximus laughs, remarking, “The gods must have a sense of humor.” This line resonates deeply, revealing much about the character of Maximus and how he’s perceived by others. However, during my viewing of “Gladiator II,” I found myself frequently reminiscing about that quote as the gods indeed seemed to possess a wry sense of humor in allowing such an outrageous sequel to materialize. Regardless of its impressive visual effects, Denzel Washington’s entertaining portrayal, and some enjoyable moments, this preposterous follow-up is marred by its disregard for internal consistency, poor editing, sluggish pacing, and underdeveloped characters. It would not have fared well under any Emperor’s scrutiny.