MOVIE OF THE WEEK (3/7/14): 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro, Andrew Tiernan, David Wenham, Andrew Pleavin, Hans Matheson, Callan Mulvey, Jack O’Connell and Igal Naor
WRITER(S): Zack Snyder & Kurt Johnstad, (screenplay); Frank Miller (graphic novel Xerxes on which the film is based)
DIRECTOR(S): Noam Murro
WEB SITE: http://www.300themovie.com/
60 SECOND PLOT SYNOPSIS (OR AS CLOSE TO IT AS ONE CAN TRY TO MAKE): Following up on the 2007 hit 300 and again based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300: Rise of An Empire stars Sullivan Stapleton as Themistokles, a leader of Greek naval forces battling the invading forces of the god-king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Having already defeated King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and his brave Spartan personal guard of 300, Xerxes is determined to continue his revenge on the Greek empire following the events that led to the demise of his father, King Darius (Igal Naor).
Meanwhile, Spartan Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) is still in mourning following the death of her husband ... Which means she has no interest in Themistokles' dream of a united Greece, let alone having any Spartan naval forces join with him in battle against Xerxes. But Themistokles knows he's going to need support since unlike the trained warriors of Sparta, his troops consist mostly of farmhands forced into battle like Scyllias (Callan Mulvey) or those who may not be ready for battle like Scyllias' son Calisto (Jack O'Connell).
Themistokles better get ready for battle .... For Artemisia (Eva Green), Xerxes female naval commander in chief is more than ready to settle a long-brewing score with any and every Greek she can with no thoughts of mercy whatsoever.
WHO WILL LIKE THIS FILM THE MOST?: Those who enjoyed the original 300/Frank Miller's graphic novels, Eva Green fans, anyone who likes aggressive sex and violence (particularly decapitations), people looking for something to inspire them to hit the gym
WHO WON'T – OR SHOULDN'T – LIKE THIS FILM?: Anyone pretty much not in the first group and those who don't like films where accurate historical depiction takes a backseat to a more compelling (read: Hollywood) narrative
BOTTOM LINE – IS IT GOOD, GREAT, BAD OR DOWNRIGHT AWFUL? If you're a Greek history purist and/or an advocate of reducing sex and violence in cinema, 300: Rise of an Empire is the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard ... A blood-soaked chalkboard. Should neither of those things be an issue for you, however, you will likely find a it to be a competent adrenaline-filled drama peppered with a crimson mask, intense action sequences and a breakout performance by Eva Green.
WHAT'S GOOD (OR BAD) ABOUT IT?: The original 300 connected with (mostly male) audiences thanks to three dominant components: Testosterone-filled sword fights and speeches, highly stylized visuals that looked like a graphic novel come to life and physiques that made anyone not built like a chiseled Greek god feel like a couch potato. Don't believe me? Click here, here or here. What other movie (OK, maybe Magic Mike) in recent memory inspired all that?!
Empire wisely doesn't stray far from that formula, merely switching out the old hero (Leonidas) for a new one (Themistokles), a strong new central new villain (Artemisia) to stand-in for the scores of nameless ones in the original film and a new locale (the sea) where all of it plays out. And while the addition of a backstory for Xerxes rise to power adds depth to the ongoing tale and how it intersects with the original film, the true driving force of Empire is not Stapleton (who does a solid job as our new hero), nor Santoro (who once again gives his character the evil zeal that makes him work) ... Nor is it really Mulvey or O'Connell, who do a fine job as father and son to help enhance the regular people vs. the rich, common man-vs.-evil-empire heart of the story.
No, the driving force of Empire is Eva Green – for her performance as Artemisia is scary, sexy, intimidating, intelligent and strong to the point she might be the greatest female villain in an action movie in ... Well ... ?
Any time Green and Stapleton are pitted against each other (directly or indirectly), the phenomenal chemistry they have is evident. While other actors in the film work quite well with each other, the interplay of sexual tension and determination between the two is deliciously delightful with Green displaying the perfect balance of sex appeal, cunning and power to make her formidable as any muscle-bound man on the screen. Again, Stapleton is no slouch, but Green is the driving force that makes Empire work under Noah Murro's just as slick-if-not-slicker-than-the-original-film's direction which makes every kick, punch, slice, stab and collision as impactful as the last. Sure, the violence is graphic and the nudity, well, it's not quite Spartacus on Starz level (link safe for work), but underneath all that, there is a classic good-vs.-evil story spiced up with cartoonish-yet-compelling sword play, confident, well-delivered dialogue and engaging visuals.
All of which make another trip to the land of chiseled warriors, a god-king and sharp swords worth watching.
OVERALL RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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