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FLICKS: 300: Rise of an Empire

Posted on 13 March 2014 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

http://cinemadave.livejournal.com

When I posted the review of 300 on my blog seven years ago, the views were outstanding. The first responses that I received were complimentary, especially from an individual claiming to be in the military. Eventually, the responses turned sour, nasty and insulting. The Iranian government banned 300 due to the depiction of the Persian Army. Seven years later, this entry still receives a regular dosage of spam.

While not as good as its predecessor, 300: Rise of An Empire has opened with a strong box office, revealing that ticket buyers enjoy watching history taught by comic books. Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novels, this new 300 is more of a companion piece than a direct sequel to the old 300.

The film opens a generation before the events of the first movie. King Darius is killed by an arrow shot by Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) in battle. The late King Darius was the father of Xeres (Rodrigo Santoro), a deluded individual who proclaims himself a god. While the delusional King seeks the spotlight, behind the scenes Artemisia (Eva Green) pulls the strings of Persian politics. Undefeated as the Admiral of the Seas, Artemisia seeks to avenge the glory of King Darius.

As a ragtag selection of city states, Greece is a bickering democracy awaiting to be conquered. Themistocles, an Athenian, is fully aware of these political problems and desperately seeks cooperation with the Spartans, especially Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey). Gorgo is the widow of the king, whose army of 300 Spartans were slaughtered by the Xeres and his Persian Army of thousands. Themistocles is fully aware that Artemisia has topower to crush the bickering Greek Isle.

Like the first 300, the computer graphics create vivid action scenes involving navy battles. Unlike the first 300, this new movie seems sloppy in direction. Utilizing the 3-D technology, 300 Rise of an Empire features too many scenes of splattered blood floating in the air.

Despite some disappointing visuals, this film is a fun movie to learn about Greek and Persian history. While Stapleton is a likeable leading man, it is the women who rule this empire. While reprising her role from the first movie, Headey gives a stoic performance with simmering rage. As the angry Artemisia, Green is given many memorable moments with a sword.

As the title role in Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill

For Green cements her image as today’s femme fatale.

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