8 years later, we finally get a “300” sequel. Based on the Frank Miller graphic novel “Xerxes,” “Rise of An Empire” hits the screen and JP has his take.
“300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE”
Warner Bros. Pictures
MPAA Rating: R for “strong sustained sequences of stylized bloody violence throughout, a sex scene, nudity and some language”
Run Time: 103 minutes
Studio Synopsis:
Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster “300,” this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.
“300: Rise of an Empire” pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures present, a Cruel and Unusual Films/Mark Canton/Gianni Nunnari Production, “300: Rise of an Empire.” The action adventure stars Sullivan Stapleton (“Gangster Squad”) as Themistokles and Eva Green (“Dark Shadows,” “Casino Royale”) as Artemisia. Lena Headey reprises her starring role from “300” as the Spartan Queen, Gorgo; Hans Matheson (“Clash of the Titans”) stars as Aeskylos; David Wenham returns as Dilios, and Rodrigo Santoro stars again as the Persian King, Xerxes.
The film is directed by Noam Murro, from a screenplay by Zack Snyder & Kurt Johnstad, based on the graphic novel Xerxes, by Frank Miller. It is produced by Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder and Bernie Goldmann. Thomas Tull, Frank Miller, Stephen Jones and Jon Jashni serve as executive producers.
The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Simon Duggan, production designer Patrick Tatopoulos, editors Wyatt Smith and David Brenner, and costume designer Alexandra Byrne. The music is composed by Junkie XL.
Opening in 3D and 2D in select theatres and IMAX on March 7, 2014, the film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
“300: Rise of an Empire” is rated R by the MPAA for strong sustained sequences of stylized bloody violence throughout, a sex scene, nudity and some language.
[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGEERBDelH8′]
J.P.’s Take:
If any of my readers were ever students of Greek mythology, it’s a good chance they know that “300: Rise of an Empire” is a stylized fictitious vision of the genre. On the other hand, if they fell asleep in class, then they’ve most likely missed the brutal stories exclaimed in this sequel.
Based on the unpublished novel “Xexes” by Frank Miller, “Rise” follows the events after the famous Battle of Marathon. By the way, this is an actual historical war. “Rise” feels more like an extension of its sibling “300,” while it converges on two aspects of the story all at once. In fact, stitching the two films together only requires that you pay attention to the action oriented opening montage of part 2. Therein you’ll get an inside look at the plot design.
As Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) tells the story of how Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) killed Persia’s King Darius the 1st (Yigal Naor), their fleets prepare for war against the legion of Persian warriors. Darius’s son Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) witnessed his father’s death, and is told not to pursue Themistocles for the gods will attend to him and his army. Of course Xerxes did not take kindly to those words and instead vowed to avenge his father by becoming a God King himself. And so the story begins from there.
Themistocles’ forces had a bit of a challenge ahead of them, as they were only made up of everyday town folk. Not being legendary warriors or meat headed soldiers, instead they were farmers, tradesmen, young men and even poets. All trained at the last minute and all given instruction to cause as much destruction to the Persian armies as possible. To their advantage, however, good old fashion Greek ingenuity is on their side. And they were going to need it once they came upon a hell bent warrioress name Artemisia, who was determined to obliterate Athens and its people from history. Not to mention the wrath of Xerxes, now a demi-God was looming over their heads as well.
Grizzly images once again fill the screen, where blood flow like oceans literally, and each battle scene becomes more ferocious than the next. This is a testosterone driven graphic novel-esque adventure, which not only wages war on its characters but on the senses as well. It’s also presented to the viewers in ultra slow mo and in 3D. Even the film’s only female antagonist Artemisia (Eva Green) seems to be injected with enough of the male hormone, as she is intimidating and sexually charged.
I can’t lie to you. I was entertained especially at the construction of the films visuals. I know that’s not the only thing that makes a movie, yet, the way many of the scenes play out here actually enhances some of the dark moments. Many of the war sequences, for example, are explosively pushed in your face, especially some of the hand to hand fights. Some of the best moments in the story stem from scenes between Artemisia and Themistocles locked in a game of wits, to see who will surrender to whose charm and war mongering. It is totally brutal, gritty and exactly as a graphic novel should be. However, if you’re not a fan of the adult comic medium, this would be a tiring experience as a whole. Personally, I did find myself entertained to some degree, but wanted it to be much shorter in running time, because, yes, it was nerve grinding after the first hour and forty minutes.
Faithful fan boys and girls will surely flock to theaters to witness this blood letting and revel in its awesomeness. I, on the other hand, will travel back to the comics and experience more of the story there instead.