Greeks, Persians and Frank Miller, this can only mean one thing – the sequel of the popular 300 saga, 300: Rise of an Empire. Slow motion, blood splatter satisfaction, Millers new epic isn’t for the faint hearted. It is however a great film if you leave your brain at the door, but by Sparta don’t forget your eyes. This film has enough blood; gore and nudity to sustain one’s healthy film diet, just don’t go looking for an award winning screenplay.
Let’s forget about the plot for a second and enjoy the vast sheets of dark red blood splaying across the screen with virtually every draw of a sword. The graphic novel or video game feel that was evident in the first film takes hold here as well. The 3D effect enhanced this comic book style instead of being too over bearing, which when it comes to a film such as this you would assume it to do so. Although a dull looking film, just as graphic novels do, the costume and set designs were completely off the charts but it made it all the more clear that this is supposed to be a film adaptation based on a comic. The use of slow-motion was certainly exhausted in 300: Rise of an Empire. Over half of the on screen gory battle scenes between muscular half naked soldiers decapitating their enemy left, right and centre are slowed down almost to a halt. With this wasting a lot of on screen time, only a few actors had time to really shine through (that is when they got given a good script line). Not that it was entirely dire, but there was a bit too much patriotic, war ‘let’s do this’ speeches for a non-solider to handle. Eva Green is phenomenal as the dominating, determined and deadly Artemisia equipped with killer eyeliner and spiked corsets to match.
300: Rise of an Empire is a perfect piece of artwork when it comes to war…and nothing more. It is simply too visually alluring for a strong narrative to push its way through.
300: Rise of an Empire comes out in theatres on Friday, March 7.