Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro
Director: Noam Murro
Rise picks up right where the original 300 left off showcasing the aftermath of the defeat before flashing back to the Greek battle at Marathon. The Greeks lead by Themistokles (Sullivan Stapletong) unknowingly set in motion the events that would lead to the ascension of Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) to become the God king. Ten years later while Xerxes was laying waste to the Spartans, his naval commander and right hand woman Artemisia (Eva Green) leads his navy against Themistokles and his outnumbered makeshift army, in hopes of laying waste to by the overwhelming Persian horde.
300 was visually stunning bringing a unique look to the graphic novel based film. The sequel based on the great Frank Millers yet to be released graphic novel ‘Xerxes’ doesn’t tamper with the style at all, it simply increases the scope, the strategy and of course the violence. The utilization of 3D lends itself extremely well to the content. At times there might be a layer of fog or mist that is in the foreground to add a level of depth that is more immersive than distracting. Where it really shines is in the battle scenes, there is nothing like watching appendages get cut off and blood spray out in 3d,There is a weight to the blood not typically scene in CGI.
Rise of an empire is not all violence, the strategy aspect that the Spartans utilized in the first to fight the Overwhelming Persian army is more than one upped in this. The multiple strategies employed in the naval warfare keeps the momentum going, and the audience wondering what tactic is going to be utilized next to even the playing field.
Its nonstop action an hour and forty two minutes of visceral entertainment. While not for everyone there is enough half naked men for the ladies while Eva green is generous in displaying her assets. It’s not every day that the female lead is as ruthless as her Artemisia is. Most ladies wouldn’t have the stomach to cut a man’s head off and then plant a kiss on the severed cranium in front of her troops before tossing it aside like yesterdays trash. She is a woman who knows what she wants and you better not disappoint her, as it will most likely lead to your demise. It’s an interesting dynamic seeing the god king Xerxes who once again comes off as both extremely effeminate and less than menacing. There is just something about chains, eyeliner and a giant cod piece. This is the type of outfit that works to intimidate in a seedy S&M dungeon, not on the battlefield. While the qualities of Artemisia are those you typically expect from a man. It’s quite refreshing.
It seems that everything that was a success in the first was multiplied 3 fold. For some it might be gratuitous for me it was enjoyable. It’s a sequel; they have to try to top the first. Are there more glistening man bodies than I would like to see? Absolutely, I am also not sure how a bunch of farmers and poets look like they should be decorating an Abercrombie and Fitch advert. My insatiable bloodlust for carnage was more than quenched with dismemberment and blood splaying across the screen which tended to make up for the scantily clad men.
Though nothing in the film as indelible as the line “This Sparta!” it is still pretty damn good.
Grade -88
A beautiful movie which shows the power of the willpower…..