300 - RISE OF AN EMPIRE - 2014

Some of my favourite films are history based especially based around the bible (don’t get the wrong impression of me here people) Their big budgets, big actors, huge sets and old school technicolour values just have a way of keeping me captivated. I personally believe some bible stories have made the best movies. Egyptian mythology is one of the ones I truly do love as well as Greek, and after seeing 300 which I gave 4 out of 5 BanShee Screams I was really looking forward to its follow up…

300 Rise of an Empire is the follow up to Frank Millers 300 which was written and directed by Jack Snyder, the follow up was again written by Jack Snyder but this time directed by Noam Murro an absolute nobody and doesn't it show. Imitation is the highest form of flattery so they say, but is that true? I guess it really all depends on the art form. Frank Miller is famous for his graphic novels and some of them have been brought to life quite well unfortunately 300 Rise of an Empire is nothing but a bloody mess; and I mean that quite literally. The screen is so filled with blood and body parts flying across the screen it actually becomes quite comical even though it is far from the intention I’m sure of all involved.

Rise of an Empire takes place before, during and after 300 the first film, Xerxes still has his war planned and still wants to take over the Greeks, with his right hand woman Artemisia leading the attack this time by sea. Greek general Themistokles leads the Greek warriors this time to stop the invading army… That there is the plot, nothing more and nothing less.

This film is a joke from beginning to end and the not the kind of joke that makes you laugh but the kind of joke instead where you sit and shake your head; like you would at the dog that just shat on your new carpet. This is an action packed mess, there is so much happening on the screen with decapitations and dismembered bodies it’s hard to concentrate on anything else especially the story or lack thereof. At the heart of it all there is an interesting story but unfortunately it is totally lost amongst everything else happening.The film is actually based on the Battle of Artemisium and the Battle of Salamis but it has been pointed out to be incorrect in places especially around those who died and how. Staring Sullivan Stapleton, (Animal Kingdom, the Secret Life of Us) Eva Green (Dark Shadows, Penny Dreadful) Lena Headey (The Mortal Instruments, 300) Rodrigo Santoro. (Lost, 300) Originally Jack Snyder was to direct this film again but his commitment to Man of Steel took precedence what a mistake that was. What I did enjoy though is the art style it is filmed in, the cartoonish style of cinematography definitely adds to the action but doesn’t do enough to aid the story in anyway unfortunately.

300 Rise of an Empire is a blood thirsty mockery of history, if you want something to just watch that is full of absolutely senseless violence then you may love this, just don’t expect to take much away. Not one for the kids!!!

300 Rise of an Empire – 1.5 out of 5 BanShee Screams

Thanks for reading.

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