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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. Read critic reviews

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Movie Info

While King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans have their date with destiny at Thermopylae, another battle against the Persians is brewing, this time at sea. Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton), a Greek general, sees the threat posed by the God-King Xerxes of Persia. He knows that he must unite all of Greece if he is to stand any chance of repelling the Persian invasion. Even if he accomplishes his mission, Themistocles must still face Artemisia (Eva Green), the ruthless leader of the Persian armada.
  • Rating:
    R (Nudity|A Sex Scene|Some Language|Stylized Bloody Violence)
  • Genre:
    drama, action, adventure
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Noam Murro
  • Producer:
    Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Bernie Goldmann
  • Writer:
    Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $106.6M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Mark Canton/Gianna Nunnari, Cruel and Unusual Films
  • Sound Mix:
    Datasat, Dolby Digital

Cast & Crew

Sullivan Stapleton
Themistokles
Eva Green
Artemisia
Lena Headey
Queen Gorgo
Hans Matheson
Aeskylos
Callan Mulvey
Scyllias
David Wenham
Dilios
Rodrigo Santoro
Xerxes
Jack O'Connell
Calisto
Andrew Tiernan
Ephialtes
Igal Naor
King Darius
Noam Murro
Director
Zack Snyder
Screenwriter
Kurt Johnstad
Screenwriter
Gianni Nunnari
Producer
Mark Canton
Producer
Zack Snyder
Producer
Deborah Snyder
Producer
Bernie Goldmann
Producer
Thomas Tull
Executive Producer
Frank Miller
Executive Producer
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News & Interviews for 300: Rise of an Empire

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New on DVD & Blu-Ray: 300: Rise of an Empire, Enemy, and More
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Critic Reviews for 300: Rise of an Empire

All Critics (197) | Top Critics (49) | Fresh (89) | Rotten (108)

  • 300: Rise of an Empire... may focus on the brawny Greek and Persian battles of the 480-479 BC era, but it also presents a kickass group of complex women characters whose sexual prowess is as mighty as their swords.

    September 5, 2017 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

    Candice Frederick

    Reel Talk Online

  • [The story] gets constantly literally swamped by the blood and gore and so forth, which is well done but almost to the point of parody.

    March 12, 2014 | Rating: 2/5

    David Stratton

    At the Movies (Australia)

  • The big box-tick here is that it is the women who ultimately command the impressively surging CGI hordes on both sides.

    March 10, 2014 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

    metro.co.uk

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

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

    Peter Howell

    Toronto Star

  • Considering the level of carnage, it's astonishing how dreary it all manages to be, with computer-game visuals and Carry On dialogue conspiring to render everything dead in the water.

    March 9, 2014 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Mark Kermode

    Observer (UK)

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

    March 7, 2014 | Rating: 3/5

    Cary Darling

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram/DFW.com
View All Critic Reviews (197)

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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