Director: Noam Murro
Writers: Zack Snyder
Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey
A Greek General tries desperately to unite Greece by leading troops into an epic battle with Persian God-King Xerses. His resolve is tested by Artemesia the beautiful and vicious commander of the Persian Army. This film is not a sequel or prequel, though it does offer some insight into the issues occurring before and after the storyline of the original 300. The start of the film explains Xerses rise as a God-King as well as his ruthless anger towards Greece and her people. The following tale reveals the event that occur both in the same timeline as the original film as well as after the death of Leonitis, the brave Spartan King. As epic battle films go this one is beautifully shot and worthy of IMAX. There is plenty of violence and blood and gore, it is after all a war movie, but there is also a graceful and beautiful flow to the fighting. The imagery is magical, we were able to witness this film in IMAX and the images are so vivid like moving paintings. The hardest scenes and most visually stunning are those on the open water, the cascading waves could make you sea sick. As for the actual story, it’s not quite as stirring as the original. if this version had been released first there may not have been interest in another. The movie is good as far as action but the fierce warrior spirit died with Leonitis. One of the best things about the film is the Artemesia, she is a fierce evil villain, seeing a woman control an army was a happy bonus. Do Not take children under 13 to this movie. The violence is very graphic and there is a rather wild sex scene, you do not want to have to explain things to your little one, save yourself the trouble. This aint no Disney film, this is SPARTA! well sorta..