300: Battle of Artemisia

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Patient_Leech
Whooptie-doo... more burly dudes with capes, speedos, and spears... lol

The prequel to 300

http://d1fgn7wex1bhjn.cloudfront.net/assets/page_images/1332517750_FCJG300-0050.jpg

IMDB

Zach Snyder is just producing.

NemeBro
I don't know anything about what this movie is going to be about short of it being a prequel to 300, but what I do know is this: This movie will be much better than Immortals.

siriuswriter
Did you know that this Persian Xerxes was the one who married Esther, as in the bible story of Esther?

Pretty cool.

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by NemeBro
I don't know anything about what this movie is going to be about short of it being a prequel to 300, but what I do know is this: This movie will be much better than Immortals.

I see that Robtard is not the only film prophet amongst us. Ah, but it's not going to be better than My Little Pony.. not by a long shot!

http://i.usatoday.net/life/_photos/2011/11/10/Immortals-wont-live-forever-0CIV5QD-x-large.jpg> http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/Kabanesan/300Costume.jpg

Originally posted by siriuswriter
Did you know that this Persian Xerxes was the one who married Esther, as in the bible story of Esther?

Pretty cool.

So he was just metro sexual... not actually gay?

Kazenji
Ah so the movie sequel isn't going to be called 'Xerxes'

i know Frank Miller the writer of 300 is doing a sequel and that's what his one will be called.

jinXed by JaNx
Originally posted by NemeBro
I don't know anything about what this movie is going to be about short of it being a prequel to 300, but what I do know is this: This movie will be much better than Immortals.

No it wont.

Patient_Leech
Don't contradict the film prophets!!! They could smite you!!! fear

Dixie23
Nice post!http://www.infoocean.info/avatar4.jpg

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by Kazenji
Ah so the movie sequel isn't going to be called 'Xerxes'

i know Frank Miller the writer of 300 is doing a sequel and that's what his one will be called.

Oh, lord... ugh3 I never saw it, but wasn't The Spirit really bad?

Kazenji
And on top of things it looked nothing like the comic it was based on ****en hypocrite..... complaining about people screwing around with his scripts for Robocop's 2 & 3 and yet he screwed around with Will Eisner's creation.

NemeBro
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
Oh, lord... ugh3 I never saw it, but wasn't The Spirit really bad? Why are you so shocked that the guy who wrote the original 300 (The comic) is the one who is writing the sequel?

And Frank Millar's comic work can range from really good to bad (With the occasional hilariously bad comic like All Star Batman).

... Though yeah, The Spirit was pretty bad.

Robtard
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
I see that Robtard is not the only film prophet amongst us.


Thanks for your kind words, but it doesn't take prophetic-powers to see that a film won't be worse than an utter turd like Immortals.

siriuswriter
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
I see that Robtard is not the only film prophet amongst us. Ah, but it's not going to be better than My Little Pony.. not by a long shot!

http://i.usatoday.net/life/_photos/2011/11/10/Immortals-wont-live-forever-0CIV5QD-x-large.jpg> http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u257/Kabanesan/300Costume.jpg



So he was just metro sexual... not actually gay?

You weren't gay if there were Greek boys around. Stuff just... happened. The dude had a harem with thousands of women.

But he got impotent in his old age, so he liked to watch.

NemeBro
Who cares if Leonidas was gay? Still manlier than a poncey ***** like Theseus.

marwash22
Originally posted by NemeBro
... Though yeah, The Spirit was pretty bad unwatchable. fix'd.

BruceSkywalker
will judge this after i see it

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by BruceSkywalker
will judge this after i see it

Brilliant analysis!!! no expression

Originally posted by NemeBro
Why are you so shocked that the guy who wrote the original 300 (The comic) is the one who is writing the sequel?

T'was not shock that I expressed ( shock ). T'was a Picard Facepalm ( ugh3 ).

I took Kazenji to mean that Frank Miller would be directing it, but I guess that's not necessarily the case. Is he directing it, or just writing it, Kazenj?

NemeBro
He is writing the comic, not the screenplay for the movie. Noam Murro is directing.

Patient_Leech
Okedokie, so Murro is directing a prequel AND a sequel?

NemeBro
Uh, no.

I am referring to just the prequel.

Franky boy is writing the comic for the prequel, and Murro is directing the movie of said prequel.

Although admittedly I am not clear if the movie is being based on the comic or vice versa... So it could be that Frank is indeed writing the comic.

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by NemeBro
Uh, no.

I am referring to just the prequel.

Franky boy is writing the comic for the prequel, and Murro is directing the movie of said prequel.

Although admittedly I am not clear if the movie is being based on the comic or vice versa... So it could be that Frank is indeed writing the comic.

Perhaps you should look back at what Kazenj said:

Originally posted by Kazenji
Ah so the movie sequel isn't going to be called 'Xerxes'

i know Frank Miller the writer of 300 is doing a sequel and that's what his one will be called.

He said sequel. Not prequel.

NemeBro
Kazenji was wrong?

Patient_Leech
Oh, maybe. I'm confused now.. and I don't even really care... lol

Kazenji
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
Oh, maybe. I'm confused now.. and I don't even really care... lol

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=26481

Prequel/Sequel happy now??

Kazenji
Seems they've changed the title for this movie to 'Rise of an Empire' and it will be set at sea........let the jokes fly

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/04/08/300-rise-of-an-empire-sea/2064101/


http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/GenericImages/2013/04/08/300empirefirstlookthemo-3_4_r536_c534.jpg

Sullivan Stapleton plays the Greek general Themistokles

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/GenericImages/2013/04/08/300empirefirstlookscene-4_3_r541_c540.jpg

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by NemeBro
Kazenji was wrong?

DEAR LORD NOOOOOOOO !!!

On a serious note, I never understood the homoerotic bagging that 300 got.
I mean if you could only focus on "sweaty muscular men in loin cloths" well that's your prerogative.
These same people also had issues & couldn't get past "The Big Blue Weenie" in Watchmen.

Kazenji
End of the world.

jaden101
Originally posted by Kazenji
Seems they've changed the title for this movie to 'Rise of an Empire' and it will be set at sea........let the jokes fly



I would've thought the fact that it was about the battle of Artemisium would've been a giveaway that it was set at sea anyway.

Robtard
Originally posted by Kazenji
Seems they've changed the title for this movie to 'Rise of an Empire' and it will be set at sea........let the jokes fly

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/04/08/300-rise-of-an-empire-sea/2064101/

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/GenericImages/2013/04/08/300empirefirstlookthemo-3_4_r536_c534.jpghttp://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/GenericImages/2013/04/08/300empirefirstlookscene-4_3_r541_c540.jpg

Still looks/sounds better than that complete turd Immortals.

NemeBro
Originally posted by Robtard
Still looks/sounds better than that complete turd Immortals. thumb up

Kazenji
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/539916_10151608404461788_1718112750_n_zpsa5f41b92.jpg

juggerman
Originally posted by Robtard
Still looks/sounds better than that complete turd Immortals.

Glad i'm not the only one still pissed that Immortals turned out to be utter trash

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by juggerman
Glad i'm not the only one still pissed that Immortals turned out to be utter trash

I wouldn't say "utter trash".

Rourke played his part well.
The props & imagery was amazing.
And that scene of the women trapped in that bull statue, all blistered & half dead, wailing in pain....a powerful scene indeed.

quanchi112
Looks good. Immortals wasn't great but by no means did it suck either.

stefenspark
I like this movie.

Kazenji
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/bannercqh_zpsc49ccb81.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/headeretf_zps79200a68.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/characterposter1_zpsb7d2450c.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/characterposter2_zps636d7f32.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/image1ewp_zps5cddbfcd.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/header1sk_zps48274560.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/characterposter3_zpsddfc3dc5.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/aimage1_zps0b816536.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/aimage2_zps654b94cf.png

-Pr-
Movie might actually be good. I'm optimistic.

Also, I liked Immortals. Wasn't great, but wasn't a waste of time either, and they did put a twist on several greek myths, so they were at least showing that they knew the material.

Darya
The pics are looking very nice the post are very usful for me. Thanks for that.

quanchi112
Originally posted by Robtard
Still looks/sounds better than that complete turd Immortals. Quit crying.

Esau Cairn
Who's the actress playing Artemesia?

Those sad eyes are very familiar....

super pr*xy
eva green..

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by super pr*xy
eva green..

Ok cool...from Camelot.

Kazenji
A trailer for this will be released tomorrow


and here's a new poster

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/300Risen_zps7a9db473.jpg

BruceSkywalker
Originally posted by Kazenji
A trailer for this will be released tomorrow


and here's a new poster

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/300Risen_zps7a9db473.jpg


can't confirm until saturday but trailer may or may not be attached to Man Of Steel

Patient_Leech
'Tis a very nice poster. This will certainly be a highly anticipated trailer. I'm surprised there hasn't been a trailer for the trailer..

Kazenji
I notice that they will be wearing shorts for this one instead of he undies.

Patient_Leech
Haha... always the fashion guru, Kaz. Very observant.. that will certainly be a welcomed change in my book.

Robtard
Originally posted by Kazenji
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/300Risen_zps7a9db473.jpg So instead of a bunch of guys in red cloaks acting homoerotic on land, it's a bunch of guys in blue cloaks acting homoerotic at sea. thumb up

Dolos
2zqy21Z29ps

The new fight scenes look off the fricken hook.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Robtard
So instead of a bunch of guys in red cloaks acting homoerotic on land, it's a bunch of guys in blue cloaks acting homoerotic at sea. thumb up

Dude it's 2013, it's ok to come out of the closet.

I'll never understand the handful of people who saw homoerotic undertones to 300 & now the follow-up.

Dolos
It's about looking and feeling good. We wear clothes out of shame, out of fear of judgement. That's no way to live when one has no weakness or sickness to hide. Metro is the way to be.

Anyway this film looks good because it's naval warfare, which has h2h in it as well. Also these Athenians aren't as special as the Spartans, yet they face an organized naval Persian fleet, the best of the best, they're still outnumbered, and with no advantage of a closed funnel to narrow Xerxes ranks and prevent being flanked.

Themistocles would face similar circumstances to Leonidas, with every bit the bravery.



Anyway this film will have a bigger and better battle - they've improved upon the art style of 300, just like they're doing with The Hobbit from LOTR.

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Dude it's 2013, it's ok to come out of the closet.

I'll never understand the handful of people who saw homoerotic undertones to 300 & now the follow-up.

lol. Robtard might be making one of his common (and frequently unsuccessful) attempts at humor, Esau. But in this case, I too, like to make fun of 300. The dude's were wearing speedos for Christs sake.

The trailer looks good, though. Hopefully it'll be fun. Certainly not expecting much substance, just some good 'ol fashion ultraviolence.

Dolos
I like the art style of 300 probably more than anything else in cinema. It's not the impact or high-octane effect, it's the sounds and the cinematography mainly. It's all very primal.

Very similar to Ridley's Prometheus, actually. That's probably why I like it.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
lol. Robtard might be making one of his common (and frequently unsuccessful) attempts at humor, Esau. But in this case, I too, like to make fun of 300. The dude's were wearing speedos for Christs sake.



So did you get butterflies & immoral thoughts watching your swimming team in the Olympics?

I'm just saying most people who attached homoeroticism to 300 also had issues with "The Big Blue Wang" in Watchmen.

quanchi112
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Dude it's 2013, it's ok to come out of the closet.

I'll never understand the handful of people who saw homoerotic undertones to 300 & now the follow-up.


Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Dude it's 2013, it's ok to come out of the closet.


thumb up

quanchi112
Looks good.

Robtard
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Dude it's 2013, it's ok to come out of the closet.

I'll never understand the handful of people who saw homoerotic undertones to 300 & now the follow-up.

I think you need to relax a bit and not be so defensive.

Pretty sure it was more than just a "handful" of people who saw a bunch of waxed muscular Greeks in tight leather underwear and thought "yeah, that's kinda homo". smile

Robtard
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
lol. Robtard might be making one of his common (and frequently unsuccessful) attempts at humor, Esau. But in this case, I too, like to make fun of 300. The dude's were wearing speedos for Christs sake.



Your lingering butthurt always gives me strength that few others can match, darling smile

quanchi112
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
So did you get butterflies & immoral thoughts watching your swimming team in the Olympics?

I'm just saying most people who attached homoeroticism to 300 also had issues with "The Big Blue Wang" in Watchmen. Robbie is so immature.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Robtard
I think you need to relax a bit and not be so defensive.

Pretty sure it was more than just a "handful" of people who saw a bunch of waxed muscular Greeks in tight leather underwear and thought "yeah, that's kinda homo". smile

Leonides had a beautiful queen.
Nice sex scene with Lena Headey.
Plus semi-nude drugged teen oracle.

Great scenes of combat & violence...honestly "homo" was the last thing that came to my mind.

Robtard
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Leonides had a beautiful queen.
Nice sex scene with Lena Headey.
Plus semi-nude drugged teen oracle.

Great scenes of combat & violence...honestly "homo" was the last thing that came to my mind.

Awesome, I enjoyed the film too; I'll probably enjoy this one too for the same reasons, the battles.

That is besides the point of a bunch of waxed muscular Greek men in tight leather underwear being associated with homosexuality and most importantly it being a humor comment and not "gross, they're trying to be gay!", which is what you seem to be reading into it.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Robtard

That is besides the point of a bunch of waxed muscular Greek men in tight leather underwear being associated with homosexuality and most importantly it being a humor comment and not "gross, they're trying to be gay!", which is what you seem to be reading into it.

I'm not having a go at you.
I'm simply stating the number of times posters have associated homosexual undertones with 300...in a humorous observation.

And yet I personally found Brad Pitt "looking gay" in Troy...a Hollywood blonde hunk in a leather skirt & sandals pretending to be a Greek legend.

Robtard
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
I'm not having a go at you.
I'm simply stating the number of times posters have associated homosexual undertones with 300...in a humorous observation.

And yet I personally found Brad Pitt "looking gay" in Troy...a Hollywood blonde hunk in a leather skirt & sandals pretending to be a Greek legend.

And I'm explaining to you why that film is associated that way.

Nah, that was totally straight.

Kazenji
The only homo thing i know of 300 is that the real spartans were into it from what Alan Moore talks about.

Esau Cairn
What's Moore got to do with 300?

Kazenji
He critized the graphic novel for not being historically accurate


its just annoying when people go its not historically accurate, If you want history go read a book.

Esau Cairn
Christ, Moore's the last person to criticise accuracy...From Hell, League/Extraordinary Gentlemen,V...he's famous for twisting history.

Patient_Leech
I think the reason 300 looks "gay" is because it's a bunch of dudes in speedos (and capes? Why the f#ck capes?) when they should be wearing armor to cover UP their bodies as much as possible. In other words it's out of place. And no, Troy was not gay at all. That's crazy talk. no expression

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
(and capes? Why the f#ck capes?)

Romans, Spartans, Greeks of old used capes as "portable" blankets whenever they were away on battle.

Oh and to lay on the ground...for when they had picnics.

jaden101
And to make passionate love to their underage boy servants. The red goes with the colour or bloodied 13 year old savaged arsehole.

Robtard
Originally posted by jaden101
And to make passionate love to their underage boy servants. The red goes with the colour or bloodied 13 year old savaged arsehole.

http://imageshack.us/a/img41/5154/nojapanese.gif

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Romans, Spartans, Greeks of old used capes as "portable" blankets whenever they were away on battle.

Good to see they had their priorities straight... they could easily be stabbed or impaled, but at least they were warm at night.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Patient_Leech
Good to see they had their priorities straight... they could easily be stabbed or impaled, but at least they were warm at night.

I'm simply stating historical facts.
There was also a sense of honour to battles back then so yeah they did sleep warm at night without fear of being stabbed/impaled while they slept.

Kazenji
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/Ash_ED/969730_10151768976901788_1381354518_n_zpsf7ecef6f.jpg

Robert Smith
.

Kazenji
N-P0j8oGaCQ

Darth Martin
Dope. Xerxes gonna get his hands dirty this time?

BruceSkywalker
upon further review this film looks atrocious.. acting looks and sounds horrible..

there better be a ton of nudity in this otherwise i will be wasting money..

Mindset
This looks terrible.

Supra
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Leonides had a beautiful queen.
Nice sex scene with Lena Headey.
Plus semi-nude drugged teen oracle.

Great scenes of combat & violence...honestly "homo" was the last thing that came to my mind.

The very best reasons that made this movie incredible.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Supra
The very best reasons that made this movie incredible.

Well seems to be the same formula they're using again but everyone's poo pooing it already.

Kazenji
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
but everyone's poo pooing it already.

Typical of people these days.

Kazenji
Another trailer has been leaked

4USDXtjRV4U

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by Kazenji
Typical of people these days.

Well, to me it can be a bad sign when they don't use the same director as the previous success.

This poster looks kind of bad to me... quite uninspired.

https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1468557_10153578173065472_563765704_n.png

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Patient_Leech

This poster looks kind of bad to me... quite uninspired.



You gotta understand, the artwork is purely from the marketing department. No matter how famous/respected the director is....90% of the time they don't have a say in poster art/direction.

I mean, to be honest, I thought Riddicks' posters were meh but that didn't reflect the quality of the movie.

Kazenji
2WrAw2-R_20

Esau Cairn
Why was I under the impression that another director & not Synder was doing this? I thought different director was the biggest qualm.

Lauren2
This is one movie that I am really waiting for in 2014.

Patient_Leech
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
Why was I under the impression that another director & not Synder was doing this? I thought different director was the biggest qualm.
You were under that impression because it is a different director. An unestablished director named Noam Murro.

Esau Cairn
My fault. I saw Zack's name but as a producer, not director to this one.

Kazenji
WqRjG-nyUAo

Tzeentch
Film looks like trash.

Kazenji
I liked the first 300 movie

but eh i'll see how it turns out, Its not exactly on my most anticipated movies for the year at this point.

Lestov16
Originally posted by Kazenji
I liked the first 300 movie

but eh i'll see how it turns out, Its not exactly on my most anticipated movies for the year at this point. thumb up My thoughts exactly

Stealth Moose
Yeah, this could go either way.

KuRuPT Thanosi
Originally posted by NemeBro
Uh, no.

I am referring to just the prequel.

Franky boy is writing the comic for the prequel, and Murro is directing the movie of said prequel.

Although admittedly I am not clear if the movie is being based on the comic or vice versa... So it could be that Frank is indeed writing the comic.

Why do you keep calling this a prequal... it's a sequal I thought and what happened after the 30 died... i.e. Athens gettins sacked but Themistocles taking control of a unified army against persia... most people don't know.. but the battle was actually won on sea not land. Anyways, I'm pretty sure the new 300 movie coming out in march is a sequal not a prequel... If it's a prequel I'm assuming they are going to be doing the battle at Marathon.

Esau Cairn
This is the break down.
Xerxes,300:Rise of An Empire was scripted by Snyder & 300 co-writer,Kurt Johnstad.

The movie focuses primarily on The Battle Of Artemisium, which took place concurrently with The Battle Of Thermopylae, depicted in the first film.

The story follows Greek general, Themistocles as he attempts to unite all of Greece against the Persian invasion, strategically leading his Grecian forces against a massive Persian naval armada.

There's also the backstory of Xerxes rise to power & his mythical transformation from mere mortal to Emperor God.

Eva Green plays Artemisia, Xerxes step-sister.

Kazenji
I've read that the graphic novel Frank Miller is working on is already done, It'll be released alongside the move's release.

Esau Cairn
Saw this lastnight.
Firstly I gotta say that Lena Headey & Eva Green are both just beautiful in this movie. Yeah, they may be the only 2 females but their scenes are strong, memorable & sexy.

Whereas the 1st 300 was fun in its basic simplicity...Rise Of An Empire tries to bring politics into the plot & suffers slightly from one too many speeches that's meant to be inspiring.

The sea battles are visually amazing but not realistic...it's best to just enjoy the action & not question the physics.

The lead actor doesn't have the same screen presence as Butler did with Leonides & there's some cringe worthy moments when his Aussie accent slips.

Eva Green steals the show for me, she is just so beautiful to watch.

Overall, I walked out of the cinema feeling good & hoping for a 3rd instalment.

Slowpoke
I think the sex scene was dumb and totally unnecessary, and the end looked like the climax ended when it just began, everything else was fine.

Darth Martin
This movie was surprisingly dope as hell. I'll be watching it a second time this weekend if all goes well.

Was the 3D worth it for this movie?

Slowpoke
Originally posted by Darth Martin
This movie was surprisingly dope as hell. I'll be watching it a second time this weekend if all goes well.

Was the 3D worth it for this movie?

Not much.

wakkawakkawakka
Yeah the 3D doesn't add much to the movie at all.

Overall the movie was kickass. Thought it was going to be a pointless (sequel/prequel) thing but it wasn't.

Evertonized
Even with some gripes I have to admit that 300 Rise of an Empire was both entertaining and fun, it was easily one of the better action films I've seen so far this year and if you feel like getting some blood and nudity from both genders this weekend you should give it a shot. 4/5 Good

Thoughts of Lee

Darth Martin
Just got back from an IMAX 3-D showing. Awesome! These two films go together quite nicely.

wakkawakkawakka
I saw it again in IMAX 3-D as well. It was better than standard 3D which is what I saw the first time.

Lord Lucien
Not as entertaining as Pompeii, but still nowhere near as bad. A disappointing film all around.

Tzeentch
Pompeii was entertaining?

Lord Lucien
You know that amazing sensation of watching someone pathetic and unlikeable desperately attempt to be cool and awesome by hiring a starving Keifer Sutherland to chew every bit of scenery he can find? And watch it literally blow up in their face like some kind of appropriate metaphor? That was Pompeii.


And you know that depressing letdown feeling of meeting the cool, awesome, over-the-top, super-styslistic badass' younger sibling who tries his damndest to be like his big brother? And only ends up falling miserably short and looking contrived and wannabe? That was the new 300.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Lord Lucien
That was Pompeii.


That was the new 300.


That's a stupid comparison.
If there was a year in-between each movie's release, you wouldn't come to the same conclusion.

Lord Lucien
I have no idea how you came to the conclusion that release dates were the point.

Esau Cairn
The fact that you see a comparison simply based on watching both movies so close to each other.

quanchi112
I enjoyed this film and hope for a third.

Lord Lucien
Originally posted by Esau Cairn
The fact that you see a comparison simply based on watching both movies so close to each other. No... I see a comparison in their style. Both draw heavily from the original 300 (obviously) and the Spartacus TV show (which itself drew heavily from the original 300). That they decided to release these two movies so close to one another is irrelevant (but also no surprise).



Pompeii was a greater failure in its lines and story--they weren't disappointing (I had no expectations), they were just hilariously bad. But at least they were hilarious. Plus Keifer Sutherland chewed the scenery every moment he was onscreen. Big plus entertainment-wise. 300: Rise of an Empire was boring. And frustrating--a problem for sequels.

The new movie lifted Spartacus' fondness for 'c*ck' and 'f*ck' in an attempt to emulate it (and Game of Thrones) and it stood out in blatant contrast with the original (not in a good way). They also attempted to spice up the narration, substituting David Wenham's laconic gravel with Lena Heady's quasi-poetic purple prose. It felt forced and out of place. They cast a generic looking actor as the forgettable lead with no personality and only a shadow trace of Leonidas' gravitas and charisma. They introduced a contrived sub-plot of Gorgo refusing Spartan aid based on disliking Themistocles' "dream" of a united Greece (something he barely mentions--he was more concerned with just not being conquered) and not wanting to sacrifice more Spartans to stop the Persian invasion her husband died resisting (which flies in the face of her and Leonidas' resolve from the first film and the Spartan love of battle and glorious death as stated in both films).

The action was repetitive, overly long, and boring. The original kept changing it up with the slo-mo phalanx, the cliff-toss, the arrow cloud, the Immortal trap, the elephant attack, the "magic" grenades, the rhinos, the giant/ogre--no scene or style of fighting overstayed its welcome, it stayed varied. Yet for an almost purely CGI film with a plethora of computerized possibilities, the second film's fight scenes of overly-choreographed swordplay and boats ramming together were largely unimaginative and repetitive. Even the side-characters were bland--Michael Fassbender, David Wenham, and the Captain stood out as characters, and the captain's grief was believable his son was beheaded in slo-mo (which was awesome). But when that young guy's dad died (something immediately predictable as soon as they were introduced) he just looked passively at his body and waited to be told he was allowed to sit at the grown-ups table. That was both eye-rollingly awful dialogue and totally emotionless.

The ending of the first film was bittersweet but badass, and because the movie successfully made us like Leonidas and the Spartans, the ending had emotional weight and staying power. This new one just ended--Artmesia just sort of flopped dead after another protracted, mind-numbing battle, Lena Heady got the fight scene she probably insisted on having during contract negotiations (and it looked silly and bad to boot), and Xerxes just walked off to set up an establishing shot for the likely sequel. Stupid and boring ending.

Eva Green was something of a saving grace, but not because she was any great hell. She just had enough of a character and enough variety in her delivery that it stood in contrast to Themistocles (he really was bland and terrible). Xerxes should have been more prominent; he's cool and creepy and weird and scary and interesting. He was the one thing done right here.


I adore the original film but this one just f*cking sucked.

Robtard
Originally posted by Lord Lucien
No... I see a comparison in their style. Both draw heavily from the original 300 (obviously) and the Spartacus TV show (which itself drew heavily from the original 300). That they decided to release these two movies so close to one another is irrelevant (but also no surprise).



Pompeii was a greater failure in its lines and story--they weren't disappointing (I had no expectations), they were just hilariously bad. But at least they were hilarious. Plus Keifer Sutherland chewed the scenery every moment he was onscreen. Big plus entertainment-wise. 300: Rise of an Empire was boring. And frustrating--a problem for sequels.

The new movie lifted Spartacus' fondness for 'c*ck' and 'f*ck' in an attempt to emulate it (and Game of Thrones) and it stood out in blatant contrast with the original (not in a good way). They also attempted to spice up the narration, substituting David Wenham's laconic gravel with Lena Heady's quasi-poetic purple prose. It felt forced and out of place. They cast a generic looking actor as the forgettable lead with no personality and only a shadow trace of Leonidas' gravitas and charisma. They introduced a contrived sub-plot of Gorgo refusing Spartan aid based on disliking Themistocles' "dream" of a united Greece (something he barely mentions--he was more concerned with just not being conquered) and not wanting to sacrifice more Spartans to stop the Persian invasion her husband died resisting (which flies in the face of her and Leonidas' resolve from the first film and the Spartan love of battle and glorious death as stated in both films).

The action was repetitive, overly long, and boring. The original kept changing it up with the slo-mo phalanx, the cliff-toss, the arrow cloud, the Immortal trap, the elephant attack, the "magic" grenades, the rhinos, the giant/ogre--no scene or style of fighting overstayed its welcome, it stayed varied. Yet for an almost purely CGI film with a plethora of computerized possibilities, the second film's fight scenes of overly-choreographed swordplay and boats ramming together were largely unimaginative and repetitive. Even the side-characters were bland--Michael Fassbender, David Wenham, and the Captain stood out as characters, and the captain's grief was believable his son was beheaded in slo-mo (which was awesome). But when that young guy's dad died (something immediately predictable as soon as they were introduced) he just looked passively at his body and waited to be told he was allowed to sit at the grown-ups table. That was both eye-rollingly awful dialogue and totally emotionless.

The ending of the first film was bittersweet but badass, and because the movie successfully made us like Leonidas and the Spartans, the ending had emotional weight and staying power. This new one just ended--Artmesia just sort of flopped dead after another protracted, mind-numbing battle, Lena Heady got the fight scene she probably insisted on having during contract negotiations (and it looked silly and bad to boot), and Xerxes just walked off to set up an establishing shot for the likely sequel. Stupid and boring ending.

Eva Green was something of a saving grace, but not because she was any great hell. She just had enough of a character and enough variety in her delivery that it stood in contrast to Themistocles (he really was bland and terrible). Xerxes should have been more prominent; he's cool and creepy and weird and scary and interesting. He was the one thing done right here.


I adore the original film but this one just f*cking sucked.

http://togif.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/kane-clap.gif

KuRuPT Thanosi
Why do people keep calling this a prequel.. it was nothing of the sort... it was a sequel. If it had been about the battle at Marathon then that would be a prequel

Robtard
Because a portion of the film happens before the Battle of Thermopylae.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by Lord Lucien

The new movie lifted Spartacus' fondness for 'c*ck' and 'f*ck' in an attempt to emulate it (and Game of Thrones) and it stood out in blatant contrast with the original (not in a good way). They also attempted to spice up the narration, substituting David Wenham's laconic gravel with Lena Heady's quasi-poetic purple prose. It felt forced and out of place. They cast a generic looking actor as the forgettable lead with no personality and only a shadow trace of Leonidas' gravitas and charisma. They introduced a contrived sub-plot of Gorgo refusing Spartan aid based on disliking Themistocles' "dream" of a united Greece (something he barely mentions--he was more concerned with just not being conquered) and not wanting to sacrifice more Spartans to stop the Persian invasion her husband died resisting (which flies in the face of her and Leonidas' resolve from the first film and the Spartan love of battle and glorious death as stated in both films).

The action was repetitive, overly long, and boring. The original kept changing it up with the slo-mo phalanx, the cliff-toss, the arrow cloud, the Immortal trap, the elephant attack, the "magic" grenades, the rhinos, the giant/ogre--no scene or style of fighting overstayed its welcome, it stayed varied. Yet for an almost purely CGI film with a plethora of computerized possibilities, the second film's fight scenes of overly-choreographed swordplay and boats ramming together were largely unimaginative and repetitive. Even the side-characters were bland--Michael Fassbender, David Wenham, and the Captain stood out as characters, and the captain's grief was believable his son was beheaded in slo-mo (which was awesome). But when that young guy's dad died (something immediately predictable as soon as they were introduced) he just looked passively at his body and waited to be told he was allowed to sit at the grown-ups table. That was both eye-rollingly awful dialogue and totally emotionless.

The ending of the first film was bittersweet but badass, and because the movie successfully made us like Leonidas and the Spartans, the ending had emotional weight and staying power. This new one just ended--Artmesia just sort of flopped dead after another protracted, mind-numbing battle, Lena Heady got the fight scene she probably insisted on having during contract negotiations (and it looked silly and bad to boot), and Xerxes just walked off to set up an establishing shot for the likely sequel. Stupid and boring ending.

Eva Green was something of a saving grace, but not because she was any great hell. She just had enough of a character and enough variety in her delivery that it stood in contrast to Themistocles (he really was bland and terrible). Xerxes should have been more prominent; he's cool and creepy and weird and scary and interesting. He was the one thing done right here.


Sorry for the late reply & kudos & respect to your insight.
Personally I didn't judge the sequel too harshly as you, I simply immersed myself & enjoyed the experience.

* I found Heady's "poetic" narrative a welcome change compared to the numerous ( & forgettable) battle speeches done by Wenham or Leonidas. To hear her voice-over at the beginning then to surmise the film at the end felt both uplifting & bittersweet. Lena is such a strong actress & I guess the director sensed that as well.

*Yes, the actor who played Themistocles didn't have the same screen presence as Butler/Leonidas. Once I shrugged off the "natural instinct" to compare actors/characters, I acknowledged that he was neither a King of Sparta nor did he have to be as charismatic as one. Although I did cringe at times when his Australian accent got the better of him.

*Yes, Queen Gorgo did refuse Themistocles twice for not sending the Spartan fleet into battle. The first reason being that Sparta didn't care about Greece's politics or fight other people's battles for them.
I think you're being harsh on the 2nd time Themistocles got refused by Gorgo. After all, she had just found out that Leonidas was dead & was grieving for him...she was reacting as a widower, a mother would do, not as a rational Queen (until later).

*The 1st 300 succeeded in its simplicity...almost like a stage play.
Drama in Sparta, action at The Gates Of Hell. The sequel did suffer with its politics & introduction of minor characters that either gave unmemorable speeches or were simply canon fodder in the end.

*I can't say the action was repetitious considering that's what fans expected to see.

As far as boats ramming each other being unimaginative...I can only assume that that was basic naval tactics back in ancient times. I mean we're talking about wooden sea vessels powered by either wind or oar...there's really not much more action you can expect from that. And yes, some of the action scenes defied realism with the over use of cgi...but it was fun to watch.

*Yes, the sub story of another father/son tragedy just waiting to happen felt force & unfortunately not needed.

*Artmesia was a great character imo. Green & Heady were both a superb choice of women. I think Artmesia's death was well done & I also felt that under different circumstances,she & Themistocles' attraction for eachother would've been credible. She was a powerful figure & her only weakness was to be reminded of her upbringing.

*Lastly, Heady joining the battle didn't feel contrived or obligated...it was beautiful to watch & sadly not enough. The imagery of her simply in robes leading an armoured army into battle was simply cool to watch.

I truly hope the sequel does well to warrant the 3rd.

jaden101
Watched it last night.

I didn't find it anywhere near as bad as I thought I would. Some bits were outstandingly ridiculous. Gorgo fighting in the final battle was about as stupid as anything I've seen in a film.

Over all though? Great visuals, good battle choreography, crap blood effects, cheesy smile inducing dialogue.

It's pretty much what you'd expect.

I enjoyed it.

Esau Cairn
Originally posted by jaden101
Gorgo fighting in the final battle was about as stupid as anything I've seen in a film.



I went ga ga over that scene. The beautiful Lena Headey charging into battle was my personal highlight of the film.

Martian_mind
I liked this so much more than the first.

Themistocles was a G, and a far better protagonist than Leonidas was.

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