Editor-In-Chief, Opinion Columnist
“300: Rise of an Empire” is exactly the sword-thrusting, mind-blowing, mythological spaghetti western that viewers have been waiting for.
“Rise of an Empire” is both prequel and sequel, paralleling the events of its predecessor. As King Leonidas and the original 300 Spartans face their demise at the hand of Xerxes at Thermopylae, “Rise of an Empire” follows Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton), a Greek warrior who, with a single arrow, killed Xerxes’s father, King Darius. To avenge his father’s death, Xerxes, alongside the sword-swinging seductress Artemesia (Eva Green), send ships across the Aegean Sea in an attempt to kill Themistokles and his comrades.
The film, much like the original, is rife with stunning visuals. Without Frank Miller’s signature style, these films would be forgettable. With them, these films are well worth the price of admission.
But the acting is excellent as well. Stapleton delivers a solid performance as Themistokles, refusing to be outshined by a star-studded cast. He is raw and unflinching, and his relationship with Artemesia is the thread that holds the fabric of “Rise of an Empire” together. Battle or bedroom, his arrow never misses.
The most compelling performance of “Rise of an Empire,” however, is that of Eva Green. She is precise in her role as the silver-tongued warrior, and her sexy, masochistic demeanor draws cringes and smiles alike. She will be a super-villain staple for years to come.
The only problem with “Rise of an Empire” is weak dialogue. But who cares about dialogue when there is visual ecstasy on screen?
Ladies and Gentlemen, a list of everything that overshadows weak dialogue in “Rise of an Empire”:
Skull-crushing battle sequences, Michael Fassbender, slow-motion boobs, giant swords, mythology, children being face-kicked, bold cinematography, angry sex scenes, a riveting score, people in togas shouting clichés, elephants, explosions, sexy super-villains, battleships, whips, Lena Headey, giant moons, close-ups of Persians making angry faces, and—most importantly—no Gerard Butler (his acting career was thankfully killed along with Leonidas).
This. Is. Awesome. Pay the theatre price and be amazed by “Rise of an Empire.”
★★★★½
dlmeyer@mavs.coloradomesa.edu
Recent Comments