Ridley Scott doesn’t make bad movies.

In fact, many of his titles that are not merely good but genuinely great: Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, The Martian — even lesser-known gems like The Duellists (1977) and Matchstick Men, from 2003.

With Gladiator II, the veteran director adds another masterpiece to his resume. It’s a bit more unwieldy than the first film — Scott’s 2000 smash that won five Oscars and made a household name of Russell Crowe; but in some ways, this sequel feels bigger, more important — in a word, epic. It is certainly just as thrilling: slam-bang action, gorgeous photography and a slew of fine performances.

Best of all is its script, with first-rate dialog and a compelling story that blazes new territory even as it pays homage to its predecessor.

Paul Mescal stars as Hanno, a Numidian farmer and warrior who is captured in a raid and brought to Rome — where he finds appalling corruption under depraved emperors who are also twin brothers. And he gets entangled in a burgeoning plot to overthrow the twins, partly involving the Roman general against whom Hanno seeks revenge for the death of his wife in the African raid.

That stalwart general (played by Game of Thrones’ Pedro Pascal) just happens to be married to Lucilla — who in Gladiator was the emperor’s sister, and the former lover of Russell Crowe’s Maximus. She is played by Connie Nielsen, one of only two performers reprising roles — the other being Derek Jacobi, as one of the rebel senators.

Mescal and Pascal are both terrific, with the latter recalling a young Mel Gibson in his early action thrillers; also excellent is Alexander Karim as a physician who treats injured gladiators. But the new film’s best work is from Denzel Washington, who just might snag a third Oscar for his unforgettable performance as a scheming gambler and gladiator-trader.

Starting out smarmy and sycophantic, Macrinus slowly and scarily morphs into a savvy, ambitious and utterly ruthless megalomaniac — one who believes in nothing but the acquisition of power. It’s a dazzling display of Denzel’s dexterity, marked at the climax by impressive stunt work from the 69-year-old veteran. (I honestly couldn’t spot much doubling there.)

And speaking of age: Director Ridley Scott, who turned 87 on Nov. 30, can still put together some exhilarating action. In addition to the editing and careful camerawork, the best thing about these scenes is that Scott keeps them relatively brief; unlike so much modern movie mayhem, they never overstay their welcome.

Some of the action, however, feels tough to swallow — especially the use of a lumbering rhinoceros in gladiatorial combat. I was also put off by the logical absurdity of staging a sea-battle in the Coliseum — only to find out later that such maritime re-creations were actually common in the Roman Empire. (Just look up “naumachia” at Wikipedia.) But I will point out that these were conducted in designated lakes (one featuring 100 ships and 19,000 fighters) — not in the Coliseum, which is fully 15 miles from the sea. (And don’t even get me started on capturing and transporting a dozen huge sharks in the ancient world; sheesh.)

But these are quibbles in a film that has already crossed a quarter of a billion dollars; along with Wicked and Moana 2, it seems destined to restore box-office glory to the 2024 cinematic schedule.

In fact, with Wicked opening shortly after this film and rapidly becoming its own global juggernaut, there’s been some attempt to promulgate a “Glicked” phenomenon — along the lines of last year’s Barbenheimer.

Personally, I might have preferred Wickiator; but in any case, Scott’s sequel frontlines the memorable motto of its forebear: “strength and honor.” And in both its story and its worldwide success, Gladiator II has plenty of both.

We are entertained indeed.