Visually striking but hollow, it's style over story for franchise fans only.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Not streaming in India
Critic consensus
Critical reception for '300: Rise of an Empire' is mixed, leaning mildly positive. The film's visual style, described as fantastically rendered with a distinctive red-sepia tone, is the most consistently praised element across reviews. However, several critics found the non-action sequences to be a significant weakness, citing bland characters, weak dialogue, inconsistent accents, and monotonous pacing. Fans of the original franchise are considered the most likely audience, while general viewers may find little that distinguishes it.
2 not-rated reviews aren't plotted
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 10 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyFrom the papers
Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
The problem arises in the scenes in between the action mayhem where we're forced to look at people who are even blander than in the previous movie. It's when you want to tell director Noam Murro dude just give us the action, not the lame and boring attempts at character development.
Film review ·
The film itself looks fantastic, awash in a red-sepia tone that dominates everything. Although you will have seen many action films set during a point of time in history (this one's set in 480 BC), there is plenty in here to keep your attention from start to finish.
Film review ·
A visually-stunning film that is definitely worth-watching. Though it's not as good as its predecessor, it's still an entertaining movie. Action movie fans, in particular, are bound to enjoy this flick.
Film review ·
The film exhibits a substantially better story-line, great performances from the cast, a slew of familiar faces from the first film and obviously excellent visuals.
Film review ·
A little lower on the testosterone quotient and more stylish than the first, the sequel doesn't disappoint. Watch it and then probably read about the real battle of Artemisium.
Film review ·
If you suffered from a 300 hangover long enough to lust for another round of some exotic imagery and blood curling sword fights then Rise of the Empire is the prime ticket this weekend.
Film review ·
It's all extravagantly daft, moves at a fair clip and is over before you expect it to be .
Film review ·
After half an hour of watching the film, you feel the film rambles and gradually it becomes monotonous and wearisome. The dialogues are too feeble and laboured. What's more? The characters have inconsistent accents which make the entire involvement far-fetched.
Film review ·
If you are a fan of the franchise, the chances are you will be happy, for the rest, it is just another film that came and went by.
Film review ·
With more thunder thighs than in a Silk Smitha retrospective, 300's sequel displays yet again the perils of pitting bare-chested fighters against a cavalry of archers. More clothes could do the trick in the inevitable sequel, in which The Man with the Golden Underwear will be given more to do than just distract audiences from the unrelenting carnage.
Film review ·
Made clearly to capitalize on the popularity of 300, Rise of an Empire is something like collected behind-the-scenes from the Persian invasion featured in 300. Whereas the first film chronicled, ab by ab, the Spartans' heroic stand in the Battle of Thermopylae against Xerxes's Persian invasion, Rise of an Empire is about the concurrent naval fight, the Battle of Artemisium.
From our readers
3 ratings · user score 5.0
300: Rise of an Empire. It's not a sequel, it's not prequel. Remember 300, where a brave Spartan leads 300 men to fight a big army. This 300 shows a parallel battle between a brave Athenian played occasionally good Sullivan Stapleton against the evil commander Artemisia played by terrific Eva Green. The movie scores in all technical parts like scorching visuals dipped in red sepia tone, haunting and thumping back ground score, neatly choreographed battle scenes which cover 75 % of the run-time and some intelligent use of 3D effects. But movie lacks a layered storyline and solid acting except by Eva Green who holds the movie together by her portrayal of ruthless, wicked and no barred evil commander. So if you were able to enjoy the overly done blood bath scenes of 300 then you won't find a problem enjoying Rise of an Empire as well. I am going with good 7 out of 10 for 300: Rise of an Empire. It's fun while it lasts.
Credits
Sullivan StapletonThemistocles
Eva GreenArtemisia
Lena HeadeyQueen Gorgo of Sparta
Callan MulveyScyllias
David WenhamDilios
Rodrigo SantoroKing Xerxes
Jack O'ConnellCalisto
Andrew TiernanEphialtes
Andrew PleavinDaxos
Hans MathesonAischylos
Noam Murro
Gianni Nunnari
Mark Canton
Zack Snyder
Deborah Snyder
Bernie Goldmann
Kurt Johnstad
Junkie XL
Simon Duggan
Wyatt Smith
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