Movie Review: 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

300: Rise of an Empire

Movie Title: 300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

Directed: Noam Muro

Screenplay: Zack Snyder and Kurt Johnstad based on Frank Millers Xerxes graphic novel

Stars: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey and Rodrigo Santoro

Audience Rating: Rated R (MPAA), R-16 (MTRCB PH)

300: Rise of an Empire Movie Facts

Rise of an Empire (RoaE) is the follow up movie of the hugely successful 300 movie that was directed by Zack Snyder. This time around, Noam Muro who left the project of A Good Day to Die Hard (2013) directs this highly stylized action movie based on Frank Millers graphic novel with the title 300: Rise of an Empire. RoaE would represent Noam Muro's 2nd major movie directorial role, the last one being a comedy/drama, Smart People, in 2008.

In this movie, we will see Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton as the protagonist in this movie, Themistocles, the Athenian politician and general. The actor is best known for playing the role a former commando in the TV series Strike Back.

In 300:RoaE we will also get to see another major role being played by a woman. The previous 300 movie, it had featured Lena Headey as the Heroic Spartan Queen. This time 300:RoaE features Eva Green, the french actress, former Bond girl, who potrays Artemisia, the female naval commander of the Persian army.

Although Zack Snyder did not direct 300:RoaE, he is credited for the screenplay of the movie together with Kurt Johnstad. Both of whom was responsible for the hugely acclaimed 300 movie. In 300:RoaE, we still see much of the 2 screenplay writers influence.

A Bloody Gore Fest Entertainment

Like in the first adaptation of Frank Miller's 300, 300:RoaE story line is set during the tumultuous Ancient Greece period. The story here this time is the fictionalize retelling of the Battle of Salamis. For those of you who may be familiar with Ancient Greece history and especially Ancient Greece/Persia battles histories, it's worth noting that the re-telling here does not depict accurately the historical facts of the Battle of Salamis. I would not suggest skipping the history books to watch this movie if you've got a history exam to cram.

Blood Filled Fight Scene in 300: Rise of an Empire

And just like in the 1st movie adaptation, there is no lack of bloody gory action sequences in 300:RoaE. Although most of the battles are depicted sea battles, the action sequences here feels like it continued where it left of in 300. Many ancient battles would have most likely been fought in close quarters and here in 300:RoaE we see very bloody fight sequences with no shortage of blood and flying limbs. It's probably in the action sequences we see the continuity of Zack Snyder's influence in the movie although we see a new director, Noam Muro at the helm of the movie.

Xerxes rises to become the "God King" in 300: Rise of an Empire

As mentioned earlier, the current movie story line follows the periods of the Battle of Salamis. But in 300:RoaE we get watch the human form of the origin of how the "God King" Xerxes came about. And Eva Green's 

Artemisia readies to devour the Greek army in 300: Rise of an Empire

character Artemisia in this movie, plays a huge part in the story line, in which we see how a woman's scorn can have such strong, sinister and disastrous influence in the world of this fictionalized re-telling of Ancient Greece history. The Artemisia we see here is a balls crunching for breakfast Persian General with a Greek lineage, who probably has the gruesomest scenes in the movie.

On the opposite side of spectrum of Artemisia's character in the movie, we are presented with Sullivan Stapleton's Themistocles. The movie tries to portray Themistocles as the Athenian general and politician who is a loyal military man for the Greek nation. In the beginning of the movie we are told in

Themistocles readies for battle in 300: Rise of an Empire

the narration of the movie, Themistocles regrets killing the Persian King Darius in one the major battles for Themistocles. King Darius was the father of Xerxes, and we learn that the death of King Darius had greatly influenced the "God King" Xerxes motivation for battling the Greeks. Themistocles tries to convince the Spartans now led by Queen Gorgo, played by Lena Headey, to join forces to battle the Persian armies but is refused, which initially forces Themistocles with his small naval force to do battle with the Persians overwhelmingly vast naval force. The battle that ensues, displays Themistocles great tactical skills and at the same time shows how he tries to unite the other Greek nations in an inevitable battle with the Persian naval force led by Artemisia.

Queen Gorgo of Sparta in 300: Rise of an Empire

*Spoiler Alert

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Probably to many, especially those who do not know about Ancient Greek history and followers of the original 300 movie, would likely be disappointed not to see many scenes involving the Spartans. Here in 300: Rise of an Empire, you will only see a grueling Spartan training scene in the beginning and final ending appearance of the Spartans in the movie. You won't get to hear the distinct Spartan chant much here.

My Rating of 300: Rise of an Empire

If you enjoyed watching the 1st movie adaptation, 300, you will probably will enjoy this movie as well as it still follows closely the stylized direction of Zack Snyder. The gory aspects of the film, bloody fight scenes, flying bodies and limbs, will definitely be an eye opener for some fans and I highly doubt this movie will be enjoyable if it comes out in Malaysian cinemas as it will be chopped down too much I think. The movie was good enough for me to watch it from the beginning to the end but I just felt it lack something, probably a bit more story line which is probably why the movie is just over 100 minutes in length. I give it a 6.5 out 10.

Enjoy the 300: Rise of an Empire trailer below