The epic film "Gladiator" was one of the biggest box office hits of 2000 and is considered a classic in the filmography of British directing legend Ridley Scott alongside "Alien", "Blade Runner" and "Thelma & Louise".

The reviews are in for Gladiator II ahead of its nationwide release next week, and the critics are, for the most part, not giving it the thumbs down, writing resoundingly solid reviews for the action epic that comes to theaters decades after the 2000 Ridley Scott-directed best picture Oscar winner.

The director speaks his mind on rejected sequel ideas, Joaquin Phoenix’s plan to quit the original and working with a “fractious” Denzel Washington.