Film Review – 300: Rise of an Empire

2007’s “300” was a massive box office hit, tempting moviegoers with a vision of historical fantasy that dripped with blood, screamed until hoarse, and was wallpapered with abs. Director Zack Snyder gleefully adapted Frank Miller’s graphic novel, digging into its pulpy roots as he fashioned an epic that teased regality as it welcomed absurdity. Seven years later, we have “300: Rise of an Empire,” a follow-up that’s more of a parallel story, trading the rhythmic march of soldiers for the high seas, adding a naval aspect to the ongoing war between the Greeks and Persians. Out to mimic Snyder’s vision, “Rise of an Empire” sheds its stasis quickly, achieving a thunderous tone of combat and sword-swinging screen stylistics that brings thrilling aggression to all this ridiculousness. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com