Well, you cannot help but compare a movie with its prequel. 300: Rise of an Empire might not live up to your expectations, but it is worth a watch if you are a cult follower of this historic fantasy. Booming sound effects and mind-blowing visual effects in 3D with the signature sepia tones keep you engaged throughout. The environment of the naval warfare is adequately dark, with the ships, the oarsmen, the gigantic sea waves, and the grey skies. Then there's bloodshed and gore in the battle scenes, which I have to admit, are marvelously captured. Few movies can play so much, and yet so efficiently with slow motion. The build up of the story is good, and the costumes and occasional background music blend well with the portrayed era. The battle strategies aren't quite commendable but the action is. Dialogues aren't very inspiring or powerful enough for a war movie.
Themistokles is not even half the hero and leader Leonidas was. Somehow, Sullivan Stapleton lacks the presence Gerard Butler did, both as a character and an actor. He speaks passionate words, but the passion does not reflect in his voice (Remember 'This is Sparta!'?). He fights well, but his body does not carry the aura of a true warrior. His heart beats with patriotism and his brain is sharp, but his eyes reflect neither of these qualities. The darkness in the plot fails to seep through all characters but one. Artemisia is probably the soul of the movie. Eva Green's depiction of a vengeful Persian commander is a potent, yet delicious cocktail of beauty and brains. Her shrewdness and her skills in leadership, combat and manipulation make her the perfect villain. However, I was slightly disappointed to see her give up so easily in the end. I think we should consider the chemistry between the 'good guy' and the 'bad girl' here, because this story had good scope for it. Unfortunately, it was sparse and had little spark.
It is the end that got my blood pumping, though I feel it should have lasted a bit longer. When I think of 300, the only word that comes to my mind is 'Sparta'. And yes, it is worth watching this movie just for that moment, just to see Leonidas and his men avenged, just to see Sparta fight again.
Themistokles is not even half the hero and leader Leonidas was. Somehow, Sullivan Stapleton lacks the presence Gerard Butler did, both as a character and an actor. He speaks passionate words, but the passion does not reflect in his voice (Remember 'This is Sparta!'?). He fights well, but his body does not carry the aura of a true warrior. His heart beats with patriotism and his brain is sharp, but his eyes reflect neither of these qualities. The darkness in the plot fails to seep through all characters but one. Artemisia is probably the soul of the movie. Eva Green's depiction of a vengeful Persian commander is a potent, yet delicious cocktail of beauty and brains. Her shrewdness and her skills in leadership, combat and manipulation make her the perfect villain. However, I was slightly disappointed to see her give up so easily in the end. I think we should consider the chemistry between the 'good guy' and the 'bad girl' here, because this story had good scope for it. Unfortunately, it was sparse and had little spark.
It is the end that got my blood pumping, though I feel it should have lasted a bit longer. When I think of 300, the only word that comes to my mind is 'Sparta'. And yes, it is worth watching this movie just for that moment, just to see Leonidas and his men avenged, just to see Sparta fight again.
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