698 commentaires
Is it a 300 prequel, sequel, or set concurrently with the events of 300? Yes. It somehow manages to be all of the above, and manages to come up with a story that leads up to the events of the original and sorta what happens afterwards as well as creating a storyline of what was happening at the same time somewhere else. It's also always fun when original actors return in cameos to reprise their roles to give further character backstory especially the "this is madness!" guy who manages to get a quick story arc.
I can't understand why Zack Snyder didn't direct this sequel, and how someone who has never directed an action sequence before and just one feature film can be entrusted with a production of this magnitude. That would already be a recipe for disaster, even though in reality Snyder was supervising.
In an attempt to live up to it's predecessor, 300: Rise of An Empire is action-packed, presents impressive visuals and is very bloody. In fact there is more action, more blood, and more nudity than in the original 300. As for the plot, there really isn't much to chew on. A naval commander, Themistocles is supposedly trying to reunite Greece. Since the story takes place before, during and after King Leonidas leads his men to fight the Persians, it can be hard to follow at times.
Most of the acting was mediocre and couldn't quite compensate for the weaknesses in the story. The Australian actor cast as Themistocles in my opinion was a very bad choice, and comes nowhere close to what Gerard Butler did as King Leonidas in 300. He just doesn't bring that rugged heroic presence on screen as is expected. Interestingly I read somewhere that director Noam Murro insisted it would be Sullivan Stapleton who played this character, claiming he was 'the one'. Eva Green on the other hand is plays an excellent villain as Artemisia.
In an attempt to live up to it's predecessor, 300: Rise of An Empire is action-packed, presents impressive visuals and is very bloody. In fact there is more action, more blood, and more nudity than in the original 300. As for the plot, there really isn't much to chew on. A naval commander, Themistocles is supposedly trying to reunite Greece. Since the story takes place before, during and after King Leonidas leads his men to fight the Persians, it can be hard to follow at times.
Most of the acting was mediocre and couldn't quite compensate for the weaknesses in the story. The Australian actor cast as Themistocles in my opinion was a very bad choice, and comes nowhere close to what Gerard Butler did as King Leonidas in 300. He just doesn't bring that rugged heroic presence on screen as is expected. Interestingly I read somewhere that director Noam Murro insisted it would be Sullivan Stapleton who played this character, claiming he was 'the one'. Eva Green on the other hand is plays an excellent villain as Artemisia.
- ronnie1962
- 5 mars 2014
- Permalien
I didn't intend to review this movie but am doing so because I think a lot of the reviews are really slanted and uncalled for.
A lot of reviews of are calling out historical fallacies and giving the movie 1 star ratings. I think this is completely unjustified. This is entertainment and must be treated as such. HIstory aside, there's more than one element of pure fantasy in this movie, so one hardly expects the historical portrayal to be completely factual.
The storyline is average, the visual effects and action sequences are without doubt state-of-the-art. I generally hate never ending, mindless action sequences but the ones in this flick were quite watchable, there were even a few brilliant moments.
The best part of the movie for me were the characters, I find the Persians far more interesting - Xerses and Artemisia (Eva Green) are both fascinating. And my biggest gripe with this film is that these fascinating personalities didn't really have much to do. Sadly, the 300 franchise thrives mostly on action sequences and plot lines stay on the back-burner, I think that's where the opportunity of making brilliant sequel was lost and the viewer was left with a decent but forgettable action flick.
It'd be remiss of me not to give the gorgeous Eva Green a standalone mention, she looks amazing throughout and more than badass to fit her part. Her presence alone was worth the price of admission.
A lot of reviews of are calling out historical fallacies and giving the movie 1 star ratings. I think this is completely unjustified. This is entertainment and must be treated as such. HIstory aside, there's more than one element of pure fantasy in this movie, so one hardly expects the historical portrayal to be completely factual.
The storyline is average, the visual effects and action sequences are without doubt state-of-the-art. I generally hate never ending, mindless action sequences but the ones in this flick were quite watchable, there were even a few brilliant moments.
The best part of the movie for me were the characters, I find the Persians far more interesting - Xerses and Artemisia (Eva Green) are both fascinating. And my biggest gripe with this film is that these fascinating personalities didn't really have much to do. Sadly, the 300 franchise thrives mostly on action sequences and plot lines stay on the back-burner, I think that's where the opportunity of making brilliant sequel was lost and the viewer was left with a decent but forgettable action flick.
It'd be remiss of me not to give the gorgeous Eva Green a standalone mention, she looks amazing throughout and more than badass to fit her part. Her presence alone was worth the price of admission.
- jack_o_hasanov_imdb
- 13 août 2021
- Permalien
A feast in so many ways! Unbelievably clear, brilliant photography. Very graphic, but never ceases to amaze. The film is ultimately not as exciting or entertaining as its predecessor, but nevertheless still fascinating. Plot flaws galore, it doesn't quite made sense why Themistokles went to Artemisia's ship, as it seemed like a suicide mission, but the sex scene that subsequently followed was indeed one to behold!
The film does become a bit repetitive and the slow motion overdone, but the eye candy more than compensates for this! Sullivan Stapleton makes a likable hero.
The film does become a bit repetitive and the slow motion overdone, but the eye candy more than compensates for this! Sullivan Stapleton makes a likable hero.
- paulclaassen
- 2 juil. 2018
- Permalien
Making a sequel to 300 must have been a daunting prospect. After all, the story of the Battle of Thermopylae was a self-contained war film with a very definitive ending seemingly at odds with the idea of a sequel. However, the makers of 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE have done a good job with this film, which offers more of the same while something different at the same time.
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE is a deeply flawed film with plenty of problems, but nonetheless I enjoyed it. The film is packed full of war action - with a distinctive naval slant this time around - filmed in the same highly stylised way as in the first film. Thus we get lots of CGI blood sprays, slow motion hits, and superhuman feats. I'm easily pleased when it comes to well directed action, and this film doesn't disappoint in that respect.
Although the central characters lack the gravitas of Gerard Butler, Vincent Regan, and Michael Fassbender from the original film - and Sullivan Stapleton as the protagonist is seemingly devoid of charisma - this film does boast an excellent villainous performance from Eva Green. Green seems to be giving her all with her character in this one, relishing the opportunity to play a hard-bitten, ass-kicking female commander. She's by far the best character in the thing.
Elsewhere, RISE OF AN EMPIRE has some prequel stuff showing the rise of the Persian god king Xerxes, some concurrent stuff (a CGI composite of Butler is brought back in the same way they brought Schwarzenegger back in TERMINATOR SALVATION) and sequel antics. Unfortunately the storyline is very predictable and Lena Headey's character shouldn't have been included at all. But there are some spectacular set-pieces here, particularly the fiery attack in the water, and as mindless action it works well.
300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE is a deeply flawed film with plenty of problems, but nonetheless I enjoyed it. The film is packed full of war action - with a distinctive naval slant this time around - filmed in the same highly stylised way as in the first film. Thus we get lots of CGI blood sprays, slow motion hits, and superhuman feats. I'm easily pleased when it comes to well directed action, and this film doesn't disappoint in that respect.
Although the central characters lack the gravitas of Gerard Butler, Vincent Regan, and Michael Fassbender from the original film - and Sullivan Stapleton as the protagonist is seemingly devoid of charisma - this film does boast an excellent villainous performance from Eva Green. Green seems to be giving her all with her character in this one, relishing the opportunity to play a hard-bitten, ass-kicking female commander. She's by far the best character in the thing.
Elsewhere, RISE OF AN EMPIRE has some prequel stuff showing the rise of the Persian god king Xerxes, some concurrent stuff (a CGI composite of Butler is brought back in the same way they brought Schwarzenegger back in TERMINATOR SALVATION) and sequel antics. Unfortunately the storyline is very predictable and Lena Headey's character shouldn't have been included at all. But there are some spectacular set-pieces here, particularly the fiery attack in the water, and as mindless action it works well.
- Leofwine_draca
- 22 mai 2016
- Permalien
- Annaparsons859
- 6 mars 2014
- Permalien
"300: Rise of an Empire" will be no surprise in delivery other than it is possibly better than the first? There will, still, be fight scenes reminiscent of flawless dance moves, and the great choreography is what lends the film to being a great 'dance' movie (hello Step-Up 3hundred). The difference in approach comparatively between the two films would be the perverse nature of the second's delivery of the story at hand. The first had a far more romantic predisposition.
The story is more or less the same - Persians are descending onto Greece and taking over. The epicenter for the second take on the Persian take over is Athens and its people. The men are not as perfectly ripped as the Spartans. The soldiers are made up of various sized men (but there's still a great amount of shiny muscle) and not nearly as romantic in appearance as the perfect Spartans.
The sex scene is more sadomasochistic and less love making. The passion between "King Leonidas" and his queen in "300" is filled with affection and attachment whereas the scene in "300: Rise of an Empire" is riddled with force, power and control. The sexual tension in both scenes are similar in sexual tension but both portray a very different tone, one more romantic than the other.
The lighting is impeccable and the story lent well to the way in which the 3D was utilized. Instead of aspects 'popping' out at you they seemed to go deep. The landscapes had so much depth that it was hard not to make the correlation between the depth "300: Rise of an Empire" was reaching to in terms of the Persian take over. As it was not the next installment of "300" but more insight into the original story, as the story goes deeper than Sparta and the army of 300.
Eva Green is outrageously good and compelling to watch and to some degree is the "Leonidas" of "Rise of an Empire". Not to say that Sullivan Stapelton was overshadowed but his role was more meticulous and thought out, very much like the Queen in "300". The two pull the opposite sides of a war story firmly together. Not to mention how smoking hot both of them are.
Like the first, "Rise of an Empire" is undoubtedly clothed in beauty, from the moonlighting to the muscled bodies, the supple breasts to the eloquent sprays of blood, the film is about an aesthetic which is part of the story. Is it masking a lack of story? definitely not, it is the story.
"300" was ground breaking at the time of release, "Rise of an Empire" merely perfects that first step into a world of a different, and maybe more enigmatic, way of story telling. 7.5/10
The story is more or less the same - Persians are descending onto Greece and taking over. The epicenter for the second take on the Persian take over is Athens and its people. The men are not as perfectly ripped as the Spartans. The soldiers are made up of various sized men (but there's still a great amount of shiny muscle) and not nearly as romantic in appearance as the perfect Spartans.
The sex scene is more sadomasochistic and less love making. The passion between "King Leonidas" and his queen in "300" is filled with affection and attachment whereas the scene in "300: Rise of an Empire" is riddled with force, power and control. The sexual tension in both scenes are similar in sexual tension but both portray a very different tone, one more romantic than the other.
The lighting is impeccable and the story lent well to the way in which the 3D was utilized. Instead of aspects 'popping' out at you they seemed to go deep. The landscapes had so much depth that it was hard not to make the correlation between the depth "300: Rise of an Empire" was reaching to in terms of the Persian take over. As it was not the next installment of "300" but more insight into the original story, as the story goes deeper than Sparta and the army of 300.
Eva Green is outrageously good and compelling to watch and to some degree is the "Leonidas" of "Rise of an Empire". Not to say that Sullivan Stapelton was overshadowed but his role was more meticulous and thought out, very much like the Queen in "300". The two pull the opposite sides of a war story firmly together. Not to mention how smoking hot both of them are.
Like the first, "Rise of an Empire" is undoubtedly clothed in beauty, from the moonlighting to the muscled bodies, the supple breasts to the eloquent sprays of blood, the film is about an aesthetic which is part of the story. Is it masking a lack of story? definitely not, it is the story.
"300" was ground breaking at the time of release, "Rise of an Empire" merely perfects that first step into a world of a different, and maybe more enigmatic, way of story telling. 7.5/10
What I really liked about the first movie was that it had a unique feeling never seen before or since. It was like if someone would tell this legendary epic tale around a fire like in old times and while the story was told you had the surreal images like if they came out of the mind of a young lad imagining all this in his head.
This epic effect is completely gone in this one... You never get that feeling no even for a minute. This one is more like the show Spartacus. Of course it was a deception for me but it could still have been a really good movie despite that. They kept the look, the colours, the exaggerated fighting moves, a bit of the mythical stuff and such. At least it still looks like the first one.
The big problems are the poor choice of actors and the fact that the story is pretty lame, unimpressive, boring and banal.
The main actor isn't bad but he's not special in any ways and he really doesn't look Greek, most Greeks don't look Greek, in fact the more they have an important role the less they look Greek. Greeks are not Americans... For example this guy called Hans Matheson... Look him up on IMDb ... He looks like a young British RedCoat or something... Certainly not a Greek soldier...
Anyways... I gave it 7 because being related to the first one still makes it a watchable movie but it sure was a deeply flawed failed sequel.
This epic effect is completely gone in this one... You never get that feeling no even for a minute. This one is more like the show Spartacus. Of course it was a deception for me but it could still have been a really good movie despite that. They kept the look, the colours, the exaggerated fighting moves, a bit of the mythical stuff and such. At least it still looks like the first one.
The big problems are the poor choice of actors and the fact that the story is pretty lame, unimpressive, boring and banal.
The main actor isn't bad but he's not special in any ways and he really doesn't look Greek, most Greeks don't look Greek, in fact the more they have an important role the less they look Greek. Greeks are not Americans... For example this guy called Hans Matheson... Look him up on IMDb ... He looks like a young British RedCoat or something... Certainly not a Greek soldier...
Anyways... I gave it 7 because being related to the first one still makes it a watchable movie but it sure was a deeply flawed failed sequel.
- Mankindfails
- 16 mai 2014
- Permalien
This is a flawed sequel-prequel to 300 focusing on Themistocles the legendary leader of the Athenian forces who killed King Darius during the battle of Marathon. The King's son Xerxes swears revenge as he is transformed into a campy looking warrior king and launches total war on the Greeks. He is supported by a female Persian General of Greek origin, Artemisia (Eva Green) who wants revenge on the Greeks who killed her parents and raped her as a child.
Themistocles has got together a band of farmers to train and take on the Persian army in some crafty sea battles.
300 the sequel is all over the place in tone and consistency. It lacks the graphic novel look of the original. Its inconsistent, whereas the Spartans were born and trained fighters, here the farmers suddenly become victorious warriors as if the screenwriters have a grudge against Persians or modern day Iran!
The Greeks might value freedom but raped and enslaved a little girl. The Persians might value autocratic rule but made a female Greek, a general.
Even Lena Headey the narrator and the wife of Gerard Butler in the original is transformed into a tough warrior Queen. The violence is bloody and brutal but the film has a whiff of homo erotic campiness mixed with bland acting leaving only Eva Green to steal her scenes as Artemesia the ruthless fighter and temptress.
Themistocles has got together a band of farmers to train and take on the Persian army in some crafty sea battles.
300 the sequel is all over the place in tone and consistency. It lacks the graphic novel look of the original. Its inconsistent, whereas the Spartans were born and trained fighters, here the farmers suddenly become victorious warriors as if the screenwriters have a grudge against Persians or modern day Iran!
The Greeks might value freedom but raped and enslaved a little girl. The Persians might value autocratic rule but made a female Greek, a general.
Even Lena Headey the narrator and the wife of Gerard Butler in the original is transformed into a tough warrior Queen. The violence is bloody and brutal but the film has a whiff of homo erotic campiness mixed with bland acting leaving only Eva Green to steal her scenes as Artemesia the ruthless fighter and temptress.
- Prismark10
- 4 août 2014
- Permalien
300: Rise of an Empire was a little different from what I initially expected. Assumed it was a sequel. However, it is more of a companion movie - a different view point of the events in 300 and the events after and some events before.
I found the story to be entertaining. The Persians are still attacking Greece, but this time we watch from the view point of Athenian Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) while the events of 300 unfold elsewhere. The backstory of some old and some new characters were interesting to watch. The events which take place after 300 were awesome and led to some great battle scenes.
And whilst 300 had plenty of fantastic battle scenes, Rise has some equally fantastic naval battle scenes. Ships wrecks, beheadings, one on ones, and battles were all awesome and entertaining. Watching Themistocles engage in naval tactics was quite fun to watch. The one on one (or multiple) combats were a bit better than the original. I found them rougher and just more fun to watch. Eva green as Artemisia was amazing. She was terrifying at times and great fun to watch.
However, I did find a few scenes felt out of place and unnecessary. In saying that, the confrontations Themistocles and Artemisia more than made up for it.
The ending of the movie was satisfying and to repeat myself, so was the final battle scenes. They were incredibly fun to watch.
A very entertaining movie, especially since I was lucky to be able to watch them back to back on the big screen.
I found the story to be entertaining. The Persians are still attacking Greece, but this time we watch from the view point of Athenian Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) while the events of 300 unfold elsewhere. The backstory of some old and some new characters were interesting to watch. The events which take place after 300 were awesome and led to some great battle scenes.
And whilst 300 had plenty of fantastic battle scenes, Rise has some equally fantastic naval battle scenes. Ships wrecks, beheadings, one on ones, and battles were all awesome and entertaining. Watching Themistocles engage in naval tactics was quite fun to watch. The one on one (or multiple) combats were a bit better than the original. I found them rougher and just more fun to watch. Eva green as Artemisia was amazing. She was terrifying at times and great fun to watch.
However, I did find a few scenes felt out of place and unnecessary. In saying that, the confrontations Themistocles and Artemisia more than made up for it.
The ending of the movie was satisfying and to repeat myself, so was the final battle scenes. They were incredibly fun to watch.
A very entertaining movie, especially since I was lucky to be able to watch them back to back on the big screen.
300 Rise of an Empire - A screen blotted in duskiness and gore with full 1 and half hours action. The movie presents double the barbarian ways of slaughter and kills weighing against the First part in the series. Series, for the label, can be termed as a shear piece of intelligence rather than seeing it as a pre-planned plot. The movie has been twined with the first part very intelligently sparing the final scene where the spectator leaves the theatre confused whether David Wenham playing the role of 'Dillios' is in the battle field with 10000 Spartans ready to face the Persion Army or in the Naval fleet standing alongside Lena Headey, Queen Gorgo. Apart from that the plot is perfect with small flaws of course here and there.
The story unveils the flash from the past how Xerxes became the God King, cleansed and furbished with Voodoo, wearing only little dress for either a God or a King though. The movie also introduces Artemisia, the naval commander and mother of evil plots. Eva Green who plays the role of Artemisia has played an exceptional part in the movie providing an exquisite style for the movie. Her negative looks and attitude are perfect for her role and adds to the impression on her character in the movie. The Movie Director with the support of a brilliant script has made sure that people who go to watch the movie in-order to see the Spartan ways of killing and fighting will never be missing anything. Themistocles who plays the role of the King and Supreme commander of the Greek army has been portrayed as a brilliant commander in the fleet and land. To be frank he does nothing else rather than some two three tricks to try to tumble the Persian ships. Other than that Athenisia does the trick by repeatedly saying that Themistocles is intelligent. I really wonder why. He also is seen trying to sacrifice, part of his brilliance I suppose, his fellow mates and army to stir up the Spartans into a war forging alliance with them.
The movie, as regards the graphics and cinematography, is too good. And it has certainly succeeded in turning out to be a spine-chiller in many ways. The story is about the Greeks trying to forge an alliance with the Spartans. Spartans are sparse in the movie. But the waiting and longing for 300 part three will definitely be on the rise as the ending of the second movie is in such a fashion where the spectators are left bereft of the hi-fi flair and fighting skills of the Spartans and that too even after they see them launching an attack after a long wait– the attack is to come in the next part. The movie is not advisable for those who hate seeing beheading and fresh body parts getting lacerated and ripped. But for others who wish to see hundred percent action and style in the best graphical way possible, the movie is worth buying ticket for.
The movie in a nut shell is an attempt to elongate the history of 300 Spartans to multiple sequential movie parts. The plot and cinematography is excellent provided you watch it in 3D. It's definitely the best movie in English language running in theaters at present. Just go for watching people getting killed, nonstop action and finally to increase your yearning for the next part to get released. And as for Themistocles, though a bit less strongly built than the Spartan Leonidas but better compared with Dillios, he can be expected to give a cracker in the next part leading the united Greece with Spartans alongside them. Flaws are there, but in terms of entertainment and dialogues, none will be disappointed.
The story unveils the flash from the past how Xerxes became the God King, cleansed and furbished with Voodoo, wearing only little dress for either a God or a King though. The movie also introduces Artemisia, the naval commander and mother of evil plots. Eva Green who plays the role of Artemisia has played an exceptional part in the movie providing an exquisite style for the movie. Her negative looks and attitude are perfect for her role and adds to the impression on her character in the movie. The Movie Director with the support of a brilliant script has made sure that people who go to watch the movie in-order to see the Spartan ways of killing and fighting will never be missing anything. Themistocles who plays the role of the King and Supreme commander of the Greek army has been portrayed as a brilliant commander in the fleet and land. To be frank he does nothing else rather than some two three tricks to try to tumble the Persian ships. Other than that Athenisia does the trick by repeatedly saying that Themistocles is intelligent. I really wonder why. He also is seen trying to sacrifice, part of his brilliance I suppose, his fellow mates and army to stir up the Spartans into a war forging alliance with them.
The movie, as regards the graphics and cinematography, is too good. And it has certainly succeeded in turning out to be a spine-chiller in many ways. The story is about the Greeks trying to forge an alliance with the Spartans. Spartans are sparse in the movie. But the waiting and longing for 300 part three will definitely be on the rise as the ending of the second movie is in such a fashion where the spectators are left bereft of the hi-fi flair and fighting skills of the Spartans and that too even after they see them launching an attack after a long wait– the attack is to come in the next part. The movie is not advisable for those who hate seeing beheading and fresh body parts getting lacerated and ripped. But for others who wish to see hundred percent action and style in the best graphical way possible, the movie is worth buying ticket for.
The movie in a nut shell is an attempt to elongate the history of 300 Spartans to multiple sequential movie parts. The plot and cinematography is excellent provided you watch it in 3D. It's definitely the best movie in English language running in theaters at present. Just go for watching people getting killed, nonstop action and finally to increase your yearning for the next part to get released. And as for Themistocles, though a bit less strongly built than the Spartan Leonidas but better compared with Dillios, he can be expected to give a cracker in the next part leading the united Greece with Spartans alongside them. Flaws are there, but in terms of entertainment and dialogues, none will be disappointed.
- hem-available-89
- 16 mars 2014
- Permalien
How could you mess up a sequel to 300? The story of the first movie was simple and straight forward, yet jam packed with wit and beautiful details...and came along with a look that was fresh and sexy, very self assured and uncompromising.
Rise of an Empire is a joke compared to the original and a huge let down for anybody who appreciates good (or even visually appealing) movies. The story is unnecessary complicated but doesn't make much sense. While the visuals in the first movie seemed stylized and fresh, ROAE seems cheap, the 3D never really impresses (enough to justify it's use) and I had a hard time finishing the movie, partly because I couldn't believe how they could do this to the franchise...and how Zack Snyder is still part of this...I don't think he sleeps well these days.
Typical Hollywood sell out of a creative original idea. Really surprising to me are all those good reviews all over the place, but I guess quality standards are just ridiculously low these days.
Avoid if you can!!!!!
Rise of an Empire is a joke compared to the original and a huge let down for anybody who appreciates good (or even visually appealing) movies. The story is unnecessary complicated but doesn't make much sense. While the visuals in the first movie seemed stylized and fresh, ROAE seems cheap, the 3D never really impresses (enough to justify it's use) and I had a hard time finishing the movie, partly because I couldn't believe how they could do this to the franchise...and how Zack Snyder is still part of this...I don't think he sleeps well these days.
Typical Hollywood sell out of a creative original idea. Really surprising to me are all those good reviews all over the place, but I guess quality standards are just ridiculously low these days.
Avoid if you can!!!!!
- jo-185-56717
- 16 mars 2014
- Permalien
How the hell did the producers manage to take a superb movie and savagely sodomize it with this emetic sequel.. Bloody hell.
- natvernenat
- 13 oct. 2019
- Permalien
Gloriously employing Zack Snyder's style of slow-fast continuous shots, as well as taking the scale and dynamics to the next level, this is a worthy sequel to the awesome 300. It has pretty much the same weaknesses and strengths of its predecessor, but improves on what made the first film a success.
A pretty obvious notion is that no other film does better with the long continuous shots of action with the occasional slow motions. This is a wonderful style to marvel on, for those who like these kind of things (I do!). This is the main reason I came to watch this, yet it is not the only thing that impressed me. But before moving on, I want to further claim that I seriously enjoyed these style of shots and frankly, all...ALL of the action sequences. They are just marvellous and glorious to watch and from minute one, I was attached and just smiling on every fight sequence.
Still on the matter of action sequences, they are better in visual quality & dynamics of the setting, although I suspect the reason may be the budget and resource constraint on the first film. If Snyder had this the last time, it would be as good as this. Fortunately, Rise of an Empire, even in the hands of new director Noam Murro, didn't mess it up and brilliantly improves upon it. And though the quality of visuals were not perfect (such as the blood effects), the style is just so gratifying to watch. One last thing, the soundtrack is genuinely amazing, and is unbelievably fitting for the scenes. Even before the action begins, my heart pumps up, and during the fight itself, the soundtrack did good to enhance the suspense of the action. Words are not enough to explain it...you have to listen to it first hand.
Actions aside, the plot was overall a straightforward one, except for those which relates to the original 300, which I was quite impressed of. Despite the lack of drama & humour, and the limited emotional range of the characters, some of the characters were great. I was initially skeptical of the main character, and though he may not have outdone Gerard Butler's Leonidas, Themistokles is still quite the likable action hero. And while I had a great feeling about the villain, Eva Green's Artemisia really stole the show on every scene she was in. As further praise, if the producers do intend to make another sequel, they will need one hell of villain to top off Artemisia.
Overall, this is a very very entertaining movie, if what you're looking for is fun, action, and visuals. They did extremely well in these aspects, and make it such a wonderful film for a great time in the movies.
VERDICT:
Good: Excellent style, Improved visuals, Highly entertaining fight sequences, Brilliant soundtrack, Amazing characters
Bad: Lack of drama & humour, Less compelling plot
SCORE: 7.0
(blockbusted9.blogspot.com)
A pretty obvious notion is that no other film does better with the long continuous shots of action with the occasional slow motions. This is a wonderful style to marvel on, for those who like these kind of things (I do!). This is the main reason I came to watch this, yet it is not the only thing that impressed me. But before moving on, I want to further claim that I seriously enjoyed these style of shots and frankly, all...ALL of the action sequences. They are just marvellous and glorious to watch and from minute one, I was attached and just smiling on every fight sequence.
Still on the matter of action sequences, they are better in visual quality & dynamics of the setting, although I suspect the reason may be the budget and resource constraint on the first film. If Snyder had this the last time, it would be as good as this. Fortunately, Rise of an Empire, even in the hands of new director Noam Murro, didn't mess it up and brilliantly improves upon it. And though the quality of visuals were not perfect (such as the blood effects), the style is just so gratifying to watch. One last thing, the soundtrack is genuinely amazing, and is unbelievably fitting for the scenes. Even before the action begins, my heart pumps up, and during the fight itself, the soundtrack did good to enhance the suspense of the action. Words are not enough to explain it...you have to listen to it first hand.
Actions aside, the plot was overall a straightforward one, except for those which relates to the original 300, which I was quite impressed of. Despite the lack of drama & humour, and the limited emotional range of the characters, some of the characters were great. I was initially skeptical of the main character, and though he may not have outdone Gerard Butler's Leonidas, Themistokles is still quite the likable action hero. And while I had a great feeling about the villain, Eva Green's Artemisia really stole the show on every scene she was in. As further praise, if the producers do intend to make another sequel, they will need one hell of villain to top off Artemisia.
Overall, this is a very very entertaining movie, if what you're looking for is fun, action, and visuals. They did extremely well in these aspects, and make it such a wonderful film for a great time in the movies.
VERDICT:
Good: Excellent style, Improved visuals, Highly entertaining fight sequences, Brilliant soundtrack, Amazing characters
Bad: Lack of drama & humour, Less compelling plot
SCORE: 7.0
(blockbusted9.blogspot.com)
- edwardanthony9
- 5 mars 2014
- Permalien
Watch this movie the day of release in IMAX 3D.. The visuals were great.. typically my experience has been that some 3D action films seem cluttered or too busy in the jumble of battle or the like, but there was real continuity and division between the elements in each of the battle scenes making the movie easy to take in, in this format..
The story, besides some historical theatrics on the life of Xerses, is a "day in the life of" type format that runs concurrently and does incorporate the 1st films elements in an effective way. No big plot twists or that kind of thing, but a solid "this is how it would feel to have been there" film.
Now, I don't know what some critics where expecting going in, but I myself, wasn't looking for some spell binding drama with this movie so I truly don't see the frustration some of these people are feeling.
Now I must say, the slow motion, cup of blood tossing, death blow scenes, were way over used and to the point of being ridiculous. This technique should have been used maybe once or twice. Now with that being said, I give the film a solid 7, and definitely, knowing what I know now, don't regret seeing it in IMAX 3D, (the only format for watching big special effects productions, in my view).
The story, besides some historical theatrics on the life of Xerses, is a "day in the life of" type format that runs concurrently and does incorporate the 1st films elements in an effective way. No big plot twists or that kind of thing, but a solid "this is how it would feel to have been there" film.
Now, I don't know what some critics where expecting going in, but I myself, wasn't looking for some spell binding drama with this movie so I truly don't see the frustration some of these people are feeling.
Now I must say, the slow motion, cup of blood tossing, death blow scenes, were way over used and to the point of being ridiculous. This technique should have been used maybe once or twice. Now with that being said, I give the film a solid 7, and definitely, knowing what I know now, don't regret seeing it in IMAX 3D, (the only format for watching big special effects productions, in my view).
Now the professional reviewers seemed to pan this before it had any chance. In some ways it happened to the prequel also. As a fan of the prequel I was willing to give this the benefit of the doubt. I'm happy I did but it's not a patch on the original.
We have here a film that focuses on another clan of Greek fighters battling against Xerxes' men, except this time it's on warships, so it's really '300 on the Sea'. Some old faces but the opposing captains of our sides this time are the wonderful Eva Green and the less convincing Sullivan Stapleton.
The film is wall to wall action and you'll be enthralled. It's even more violent than the first. The bad thing is that the dialogue is really poor and the story not as riveting, engrossing and rousing as the first. Say what you like but there's a lot of wonderful points in the first that is what has made it a cult favourite.
If anything the flaws of this highlight just what was best in the old one. The lead ain't no patch on Gerald Butler and is outshone by Eva Green as the temptress Persian battle queen. In fairness to our new lead, he is purposely more human than the old King Leonidas, and is a great warrior without the Spartan attitude. Yet that misses out what was quite a strong point of the previous film.
In many way its a paint by numbers sequel as such (although the timeframe of the film mostly parallels that of the first). If you enjoyed the first and and want more then you'll find it here. For everyone else, probably you won't miss much if you let this one pass by. For me as a fan of the original, it was fair enough but not in the same league as the first.
We have here a film that focuses on another clan of Greek fighters battling against Xerxes' men, except this time it's on warships, so it's really '300 on the Sea'. Some old faces but the opposing captains of our sides this time are the wonderful Eva Green and the less convincing Sullivan Stapleton.
The film is wall to wall action and you'll be enthralled. It's even more violent than the first. The bad thing is that the dialogue is really poor and the story not as riveting, engrossing and rousing as the first. Say what you like but there's a lot of wonderful points in the first that is what has made it a cult favourite.
If anything the flaws of this highlight just what was best in the old one. The lead ain't no patch on Gerald Butler and is outshone by Eva Green as the temptress Persian battle queen. In fairness to our new lead, he is purposely more human than the old King Leonidas, and is a great warrior without the Spartan attitude. Yet that misses out what was quite a strong point of the previous film.
In many way its a paint by numbers sequel as such (although the timeframe of the film mostly parallels that of the first). If you enjoyed the first and and want more then you'll find it here. For everyone else, probably you won't miss much if you let this one pass by. For me as a fan of the original, it was fair enough but not in the same league as the first.
- joebloggscity
- 28 mars 2014
- Permalien
"Greece" is under attack of Xerxes of Persia (ca. 480 BC). While Leonidas of Sparta is fighting in Battle of Thermopylae ("300"), Themistokles of Athens is preparing a sea battle at Salamis (this movie).
Don't expect deep historic drama, wrong genre. This is graphic-novel art splendor and a strong sequel of 300. I was highly entertained and completely drawn into this world with amazing graphic art scenery and a high Asian Martial Art feel fight scenes. 3D is working during the sea battles but not really required. The introduction of Artemisia, Themistokles and Xerxes becoming the GodKing of Persia were cool but might be a bit confusing as it wasn't always obvious that these were flashbacks in the current story.
Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles did well, not Gerard Butler though. Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo was again a graceful power lady, GoTh made her even stronger in character. Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes is again hot, especially as his younger self. Eva Green as Navy Admiral Artemisia was one mean, bad lady, strong like in Kingdom of Heaven and occasionally I was more on her side than on the Greek's ... and her costumes are just ... fantastic!
If I could rate half points, it would rate it 8,5 because 300 was in my opinion stronger, funnier and more dramatic but 9 rates are for films that I will see again ... and I will see this one again, mainly due to Artemisia, she was awesome.
Ps If you don't like bloody scenes, it might be not your type of film
Don't expect deep historic drama, wrong genre. This is graphic-novel art splendor and a strong sequel of 300. I was highly entertained and completely drawn into this world with amazing graphic art scenery and a high Asian Martial Art feel fight scenes. 3D is working during the sea battles but not really required. The introduction of Artemisia, Themistokles and Xerxes becoming the GodKing of Persia were cool but might be a bit confusing as it wasn't always obvious that these were flashbacks in the current story.
Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles did well, not Gerard Butler though. Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo was again a graceful power lady, GoTh made her even stronger in character. Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes is again hot, especially as his younger self. Eva Green as Navy Admiral Artemisia was one mean, bad lady, strong like in Kingdom of Heaven and occasionally I was more on her side than on the Greek's ... and her costumes are just ... fantastic!
If I could rate half points, it would rate it 8,5 because 300 was in my opinion stronger, funnier and more dramatic but 9 rates are for films that I will see again ... and I will see this one again, mainly due to Artemisia, she was awesome.
Ps If you don't like bloody scenes, it might be not your type of film
- PadmeAgnes
- 5 mars 2014
- Permalien
Ancient Greece is in peril . . again. This calls for much chest-beating, shouting and cgi blood all over the place.
The sea is the battle arena for this entertaining follow-on to '300', a rant-infested Gerard Butler bloodbath from a few years ago. It's pretty much non-stop grunting, gesticulating and gore for it's entirety, which is quite pleasing.
Of course, most of the rating is for the dual fabulousness of Eva Green and Lena Headey, both having an over-the-top fem-ball amongst the testo-carnage. It was disappointing they didn't settle their differences via a bare-breasted cat-fight, but you can't have everything.
The sea is the battle arena for this entertaining follow-on to '300', a rant-infested Gerard Butler bloodbath from a few years ago. It's pretty much non-stop grunting, gesticulating and gore for it's entirety, which is quite pleasing.
Of course, most of the rating is for the dual fabulousness of Eva Green and Lena Headey, both having an over-the-top fem-ball amongst the testo-carnage. It was disappointing they didn't settle their differences via a bare-breasted cat-fight, but you can't have everything.
- gertjan-wils
- 22 mars 2014
- Permalien
The bar is set high for sequel films especially onto the successful ones because everyone is expecting more from it. And in times like these; sequels or franchises are a trend. One can be seen from Marvel which gave the success on not only creating sequels but creating an entire universe as a whole.
Sequels or prequels tend to give excitement to people especially upon hearing from its public announcement, and when Warner Bros. decided to impart that information last year, I was excited.
The first film, 300, was visually entertaining, taking a whole new level of filmmaking. Although, the movie Sin City has the same kind of visual approach about filming in green screen and emphasis on the blood splatting; Zack Snyder took it up the notch. The whole film felt like a High Dynamic Range (HDR) shot that Digital Camera's give, and the slow- motion capture says it all.
The storyline tells the 2nd war between the Greeks and Persians, and how did that came to be by iterating the account of the 1st Greco-Persian War by Lionidas' wife, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey), making the movie a prequel-sequel alike.
It narrates how the God-King Xerxes wanted his vengeance from the Greeks because of Themistocles' (Sullivan Stapleton) honest mistake upon demising his father and having the gut that Xerxes would one day be a threat, but ignoring that intuition of his.
Also, the Persian Naval commander Artemisia's (Eva Green) story of her original Grecian roots showed how ruthless Greeks were to her and her family that made her lustful for revenge.
The Story
The movie is based on an unpublished novel by Frank Miller, who also did the original 300, that depicts the epic war story of the 1st and 2nd Greco-Persian war. The story of the 2nd movie is interrelated to the original 300 and a proceeding account reaching to an end.
300: Rise of an Empire's story is much crispier than the original. There are more battles than the first, and it was interesting, seeing rivals strategize to win.
The depth of the emotion was already set from the first movie (thanks to it), and now a threat is far more revealing and invigorating.
I love the fact that my eyes and ears were totally onto the movie, making me keen to every details there are, and having the feeling that you don't want to miss something, most especially the mot juste which is a 300 trademark, (e.g. 'THIS IS SPARTA!') that creates more tension in the film, and this time it's 'SEIZE YOUR GLORY'.
Screenplay
The best thing about 300 movies is that the graphics are very well defined and the scenes are captivating. The slow-motion takes place and it's a numerous positive things to it. Although I sense that I guess if you'll add all the slow-motion scenes, it kind of adds to the time frame of the movie which makes it reasonably long. But, it's proprietary and needed for the justification of the film though.
Besides the long slow-motion scenes are the muscles and abs which are the proprietary of all.
Just kidding.
OVERALL
300: Rise of an Empire is the sequel that is properly well executed. The sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire is again visually stunning, wickedly entertaining.
300: Rise of an Empire is an American film, sequel to 300, directed by Noam Murro, produced by Zack Snyder (Man of Steel, 300) and starred by Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, and Lena Headey. The film was released on March 7, 2014.
(This review can be seen on my blog, One Setting at a Time)
Sequels or prequels tend to give excitement to people especially upon hearing from its public announcement, and when Warner Bros. decided to impart that information last year, I was excited.
The first film, 300, was visually entertaining, taking a whole new level of filmmaking. Although, the movie Sin City has the same kind of visual approach about filming in green screen and emphasis on the blood splatting; Zack Snyder took it up the notch. The whole film felt like a High Dynamic Range (HDR) shot that Digital Camera's give, and the slow- motion capture says it all.
The storyline tells the 2nd war between the Greeks and Persians, and how did that came to be by iterating the account of the 1st Greco-Persian War by Lionidas' wife, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey), making the movie a prequel-sequel alike.
It narrates how the God-King Xerxes wanted his vengeance from the Greeks because of Themistocles' (Sullivan Stapleton) honest mistake upon demising his father and having the gut that Xerxes would one day be a threat, but ignoring that intuition of his.
Also, the Persian Naval commander Artemisia's (Eva Green) story of her original Grecian roots showed how ruthless Greeks were to her and her family that made her lustful for revenge.
The Story
The movie is based on an unpublished novel by Frank Miller, who also did the original 300, that depicts the epic war story of the 1st and 2nd Greco-Persian war. The story of the 2nd movie is interrelated to the original 300 and a proceeding account reaching to an end.
300: Rise of an Empire's story is much crispier than the original. There are more battles than the first, and it was interesting, seeing rivals strategize to win.
The depth of the emotion was already set from the first movie (thanks to it), and now a threat is far more revealing and invigorating.
I love the fact that my eyes and ears were totally onto the movie, making me keen to every details there are, and having the feeling that you don't want to miss something, most especially the mot juste which is a 300 trademark, (e.g. 'THIS IS SPARTA!') that creates more tension in the film, and this time it's 'SEIZE YOUR GLORY'.
Screenplay
The best thing about 300 movies is that the graphics are very well defined and the scenes are captivating. The slow-motion takes place and it's a numerous positive things to it. Although I sense that I guess if you'll add all the slow-motion scenes, it kind of adds to the time frame of the movie which makes it reasonably long. But, it's proprietary and needed for the justification of the film though.
Besides the long slow-motion scenes are the muscles and abs which are the proprietary of all.
Just kidding.
OVERALL
300: Rise of an Empire is the sequel that is properly well executed. The sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire is again visually stunning, wickedly entertaining.
300: Rise of an Empire is an American film, sequel to 300, directed by Noam Murro, produced by Zack Snyder (Man of Steel, 300) and starred by Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, and Lena Headey. The film was released on March 7, 2014.
(This review can be seen on my blog, One Setting at a Time)
- sheance114
- 23 mars 2014
- Permalien
- antonioballve
- 6 mars 2014
- Permalien