Movie Review: 300: Rise of an Empire

In March 2007, Zach Snyder's action opus 300- based on Frank Miller's graphic novel documenting a fictionalized version of the Battle of Thermlayte between the Spartans and Persians- hit theaters. The film instantly became an action classic thanks to its groundbreaking visual style and slow-motion action sequences that captured every kill and drop of blood spilled. Seven years later, 300: Rise of an Empire offers up a continuation on the franchise that may not have been necessary, but it's certainly worthwhile.

Rise of an Empire sees basically no one from the original film except for Rodrigo Santoro as Persian "God King" Xerxes and Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo, wife of fallen Spartan leader Leonidas, returning to the fold. Despite practically no one returning for this prequel/sequel, the film offers up a similar vibe  as the original. Snyder may not have returned in the director's chair, but his fingerprints are all over this film. In addition to co-writing the screenplay, Snyder seems to have given director Noam Murro (who's only previous credit is the forgettable 2009 Dennis Quaid/Sara Jessica Parker comedy Smart People) a tutorial on how to direct action sequences prior to the production. Every action scene here has the same tenacity and stunning visuals that the first one did without feeling stale or rehashed in any way. I was a bit skeptical of an inexperienced director being able to handle the grandiose action sequences in this film, but Murro does a fine job replicating the quality of action scenes from the first installment.

300: Rise of an Empire captures a very wide timeline as the events take place before, during and after the events of the first film. The real-life battle being fictionalized here is the Battle of Salamis- which took place around the same time as the original film's real-life counterpart the Battle of Thermlayte.  The hero this time around is Athenian general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton of Cinemax series Strike Back), who leads his men without reinforcements from the Spartans in battle against the Persian Empire. Stapleton lacks the immense screen presence and impassioned line deliveries that Gerard Butler had has Leonidas, but still manages to make Themistocles a likable enough hero that you can get behind. However, the real star of the film is Eva Green as Persian naval commander Artesmia. Green gives this film the only leg up it has on the original: The presence of a truly sinister villain. Artesmia is a ruthless and aggressive commander who strives to get every possible military asset under her command. The scene where Artesmia tries to get Themistocles to surrender his army and join the Persian forces after his men sunk multiple of her ships in a battle (which eventually leads to the most memorably over-the-top sex scene since Watchmen) is just as entertaining to watch as the fight sequences thanks to Green's commanding performance. 300: Rise of an Empire isn't a groundbreaking achievement like the original was nor does it contain any moments like "This is Sparta" or the "Tonight We Dine in Hell!" speech that will be placed in the cinematic time capsule. That being said, 300: Rise of an Empire is still a wildly entertaining, relatively mindless film that is perfect bloody escapism for action junkies everywhere.

4/5 Stars