300: Rise of an Empire

A more than decent encore to the slaughter at Thermopylae. Less testosterone, more tactics, tricks and women. which makes the sequel much more diverse to watch. Eva Green steals the show, mainly because Stapleton simply doesn’t have the same charisma as Butler, and he knows it, and that’s why his character is craftier and, more than strength, he radiates intelligence. Xerxes, who initially was meant to be the mainstay of the movie, surprisingly appears somewhere toward the back, but Rodrigo still really enjoys his most famous role. A well-justified (what’s the word?) sidequel, that works even without the original 300. (07/03/2014)

I was thinking, why does it make sense to continue something that is closed and stands perfectly on its own? The intentions are obviously purely commercial, which is evident in the story itself, which forcibly tries to fit into the events of the first film and succeeds in avoiding most of the characters from the first film. It doesn't change the fact that it's just flashy masturbation over the modern concept of action, which is indeed brutal, but that's still not enough, right? Some percentage for a naked Eva Green. That view is worth it. (17/08/2014)

Compared to the first one, there is more emphasis on the story, the exteriors are more varied and the "red" action at times tries to give the impression of real battle strategy, which I consider a good step in contrast to the monotonous chopping and endless slow-motion of Snyder (although this one has too much slow-motion, too). However, the only thing that elevates this cool, visually messy parade of abs and heroic platitudes slightly above the level of the first one is the head-cutting, eye-murdering, hard-fucking but outrageously attractive and sexy Eva Green, who endows her role with such charisma that Leonidas would quickly stick his head in the sand in front of her. For her sake, I not only throw in an extra star, but even declare the second 300 a very, very enjoyable and exciting waste of time. 55% (22/03/2014)

Pity that digital blood (intentionally, but still not good) and low-end makers, because if it had been directed again Snyder, with an A-list cast and more polished visuals, it could have been the hit of the year. The screenplay is surprisingly skillful well-executed screenplay, Eva Green is the woman of the year and even the protagonist wasn't that terrible. The battles, however, are controversial and the overall visuals are inconsistent, they are occasionally clever and clear, sometimes awful and chaotic. Contradictory thing, but I liked the uncompromising rating and this film orgasm that may not be surpassed this year. (23/03/2014)

If it weren’t for Eva Green, there would barely be a third of the movie. Her charm has breathed life into this adaptation which is far more like a comic book movie than the first 300. It all stands or falls on whether she appears on the screen. Anyways, I was sort of sick and tired of this comic book feel. The first 300 was stylish and raw. But I’d compare this one to Sin City. Everything is purposely fake and wannabe cool. I’m not saying that it was disappointing, I’m really not. But it practically has just a single ace up its sleeve – Eva Green. Everything else is awfully fleeting. (10/07/2015)