300: Rise of an Empire

Critics Consensus

It's bound to hit some viewers as an empty exercise in stylish gore, and despite a gonzo starring performance from Eva Green, 300: Rise of an Empire is a step down from its predecessor.

45%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 192

51%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 140,441
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Movie Info

Based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel Xerxes and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster "300," this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield-on the sea-as Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. "300: Rise of an Empire" pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemisia (Eva Green), vengeful commander of the Persian navy. (c) WB
  • Rating:
    R (for strong sustained sequences of stylized bloody violence throughout, a sex scene, nudity and some language)
  • Genre:
    Action & Adventure, Drama
  • Directed By:
    Noam Murro
  • Written By:
    Noam Murro, Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Box Office:
    $91,024,535
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Warner Bros. Pictures

Cast

Sullivan Stapleton
as Themistocles
Eva Green
as Artemisia
Lena Headey
as Queen Gorgo
Rodrigo Santoro
as Xerxes
David Wenham
as Dilios
Andrew Tiernan
as Ephialtes
Andrew Pleavin
as Daxos
Hans Matheson
as Aeskylos
Callan Mulvey
as Scyllias
Jack O'Connell
as Calisto
Igal Naor
as King Darius
Peter Mensah
as Persian Emissary
Ben Turner
as General Artaphernes
Ashraf Barhom
as General Bandari
Christopher Sciueref
as General Kashani
Steven Cree
as Decapitated Greek Marine
Caitlin Carmichael
as 8 Year Old Artemisia
Kevin Fry
as Lascivious Greek
David Sterne
as Old Statesman
Clive Leviev-Sawyer
as Senator
Christopher Boyer
as Senator
Fred Ochs
as Senator
Price Carson
as Senator
John Michael Herndon
as Senator
David Pevsner
as Senator
Dimo Alexandrov Alexiev
as Rope Puller
Gregor Truter
as Small Ambassador
Vincent Walsh
as Naval Commander
Nick Court
as Theban Commander
Anthony Valentine
as Young Greek Soldier
Mark Killeen
as Greek Commander
Alexander Nikolov Dimitrov
as Greek Marine
Atanas Srebrev
as Blacksmith
Luke Roberts
as Butcher
George Georgiou
as Greek Citizen
Stefan Nikolaev Ivanov
as Persian Commander
Farshad Farahat
as Persian Officer
Daniel Rashev
as Persian General 1
Dimitar Martinov
as Persian General 2
Peter Ferdinando
as Greek Ambassador
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Critic Reviews for 300: Rise of an Empire

All Critics (192) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (86) | Rotten (106)

  • The mere existence of 300: Rise of an Empire is worthy of note, especially the inventive means by which the story has been advanced.

    Mar 9, 2014 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star
    Top Critic

  • Artemisia may ultimately have lost the war in this clash of civilizations, but she wins our hearts.

    Mar 7, 2014 | Rating: 3/5

    Cary Darling

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
    Top Critic

  • Don't be surprised if, two weeks from now, you forget it ever existed.

    Mar 7, 2014 | Full Review…

    Bilge Ebiri

    New York Magazine/Vulture
    Top Critic

  • Long on crimson spurts of blood but low on character, larded with production value but bereft of any other kind of it, "300: Rise of an Empire' is a 3D joke.

    Mar 7, 2014 | Rating: 0 | Full Review…

    James Rocchi

    Film.com
    Top Critic

  • There is much grinding of teeth, and mauling of history, and anachronistic use of gunpowder, until we plug our ears and desperately pray to the gods of Olympus, or the brothers of Warner, that they might make an end.

    Mar 7, 2014 | Rating: 1.5/4 | Full Review…

    Stephen Whitty

    Newark Star-Ledger
    Top Critic

  • If the movie's action recalls video games, the dramatically artificial lighting suggests 1980s rock videos. Indeed, Rise of an Empire is so campy that it might work better as a musical.

    Mar 7, 2014 | Full Review…

    Mark Jenkins

    NPR
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (192)

Audience Reviews for 300: Rise of an Empire

  • Jan 13, 2017
    Did Frank Miller really approve this? Drawing from an unpublished sequel to 300, 300: Rise of an Empire (the title is meaningless) is a follow up to the first film where the Spartans have died. Now the other Greek city states must unite against the invading Persians and their allies. Eva Green was beautiful and she performed a role that is totally outcasted perfectly. Sullivan Stapleton had a good performance but his figure really didn't suit the role of Themistocles. Aside from the unnecessary gore and sex, it was quite entertaining.
    Sylvester K Super Reviewer
  • Sep 08, 2016
    The ties to the chronologically simultaneously happening original film are actually pretty well done. The story is not as straight forward and the visuals not quite as unique and striking, but still pretty impressive. The action is top notch, though and while some dialogs are just as shallow in their "die for honor" pathos the result is overall really entertaining. The end comes a little suddenly, while I would have been okay with following those battles a little longer. Still, pretty decent.
    Jens S Super Reviewer
  • Jun 20, 2016
    If you took the greatness of the first 300 film, watered it down, added Greek ships but still managed to toss in some good female nudity, you'd get this film. Not nearly as good as the first one, but still fairly entertaining if you have nothing to do on a rainy afternoon besides folding laundry.
    Patrick W Super Reviewer
  • Jul 29, 2015
    Eva Green's performance is the only thing that will keep you watching.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
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