300: Rise of an Empire

As epic as its 2006 predecessor; Zack Snyder’s second installment of 300 has surpassed all expectations and delivers a graphic work of art – this time in 3D.

It has been eight years since Gerard Butler stormed the big screens with his infamous battle cries and catch phrases, and now, carrying on from where the story left off, we have Grecian General Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) taking up the heroic mantle.

With a fabulously succinct storyline which is not only action-packed but also encompasses continuity features from 300, 300:Rise of an Empire really outstrips all other sequels. Fans of the first film will appreciate seeing the roles of Queen Gorga (Lena Heady), Dilios (David Wenham), and even flashbacks of “This is madness!” Messenger (Peter Mensah, who went on to play Oenomaus in TV series Spartacus) and King Leonidas (Butler) himself.

Taking to water this time, 300: Rise of an Empire, follows Themistokles as he takes his Grecian navy into battle against the invading Persian army who had defeated King Leonidas. Leading the colossal Persian invasion is the mortal-turned-God, Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his merciless commander Artemisia (Eva Green).

After the huge success with casting Butler as Leonidas in 300, Stapleton (as Themistokles) had some gargantuan boots to fill.  Thankfully though, he does not try to impersonate Butler’s character, and instead concentrates on creating a sea-based parallel. Artemisia could not have been characterized better than by Green, who absolutely nails the vengeful commanders psychotic personality. Battling it out for the most powerful woman though is Heady as Queen Gorga, who emerges from husband Leonidas’ death revengeful and bloodthirsty.

When it comes to red cloaks, it seems writer/director Snyder (Man of Steel) knows exactly how to entertain. 300: Rise of an Empire is as equally visually impacting as the first 300 film: soaked in blood and gore, an unexpected intimate scene, and an edge-of-your-seat pyrotechnical scene.

Fans of the franchise will not be disappointed. This is one hundred percent bloody good entertainment.

Jennifer Atkinson

300: Rise of an Empire is released nationwide on 7^th March 2014.

Watch the trailer for 300: Rise of an Empire here: