300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE (review)

Produced by Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton,

Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Bernie Goldmann

Screenplay by Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad

Based on Xerxes by Frank Miller

Directed by Noam Murro

Starring Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey,

Hans Matheson, Rodrigo Santoro, Callan Mulvey

The sequel to the 2006 epic comic book film 300 is an impressive one, taking place at a similar timeline to the first movie as Greeks defend their land against Persia.

The beginning of the movie shows the mystical origin of the God King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) as well as the rise of Athenian general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton).

In a refreshing breath of balance not seen often in Hollywood action movies today are the two female leads, Persian ally Artemisia (Eva Green) and widow of King Leonidas, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey).

At points, it seems the God King Xerxes’ origin was a red herring, allowing these ladies to shine and spill copious amounts of blood with their own blades, while the golden king sat on the safety of this throne—quite literally the backseat for this movie.

Embrace the 3D version of this movie if you can! “Tonight we dine…in spectacle”!

Though not a requirement for enjoyment of the movie, most FOG! readers may want to give themselves a refresher on the original movie, directed by Zack Snyder and based on the comic book series by Frank Miller.Xerxes by Miller isn’t even out yet, so fans of the writer artist will need to wait.

The closest you can even get is a preview in Dark Horse Presents #1!

[READ MORE AT FORCES OF GEEK]