There’s obviously an audience out there for a movie like 300: Rise of an Empire as the box office is $80 million and counting. Although, it’s not so much a movie as a comic book with live action figures. Since it’s based on a graphic novel, like it’s companion 300 from 2007, one supposes that is appropriate.

Set in 480 B.C., like 300, the noble and muscular Greeks are still battling the nasty Persians as they invade Greece with an overwhelming fleet. Luckily the Greeks have an Athenian general, Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton, yet another Aussie) able to outwit and outfight them. Eva Green is impressive playing the unlikely female admiral of the Persian fleet.

It features some of the same actors from the first 300, although the acting is best described as wooden and there are far too many long dramatic pauses. But even with its comic book atmosphere there are occasional bursts of entertainment. However, people who’ve seen both films generally agree the first one was better.

This movie depends way too much on computer special effects, although they are occasionally worth it. A warning for those unfamiliar with this genre; the violence and battles seem to go on forever, with endless throat-cuttings, slashings and gore (which sometimes flies right at you since you are watching it in 3D and often in slow motion as well), with a little bit of sex and nudity thrown in for good measure.

Rating: two deer out of five

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Alf Cryderman is a Red Deer freelance writer and old movie buff.