I've read several good reviews about this film aside from the fact that I've always loved history and war movies so I'm really pumped up to watch this one.
I'll start off with the positive stuff for me that is. I liked how they showed us some background about Xerxes, Darius, Themistocles, Artemisia and even Queen Gorgo. History always sets the path for character development. Who the hell is Xerxes and how come until now he still sits comfortably in his throne? Why is Artemisia betraying her own blood? Etc, etc...
Anyway, the best positive I've seen would have to be what's most people are raving about. Artemisia as superbly portrayed by Eva Green, I am floored with her performance. Thus, my wallpaper tribute for her. Most people normally despise antagonists although I cannot say the same thing for me as I'm more of a villain fan. Ask me and I'll say protagonists are usually overrated. I hate one dimension characters, if I pursued theater acting I'd love to do either the enemy or the non stereotypical roles. Usually I ask for more fight scenes, more blood but with this one, I did not mind seeing more talking as I excitedly anticipate for her entry everytime. Her character is so fun to watch, toying with men, cunningly running the show. Makes you wanna scream you go girl. Too bad, she succumbed to her wrath until the very end. My heart would have been very happy for her alternative ending. Nonetheless, for me it's only right she ended up the way she did as it would look out of character if she softened in the end.
Onto the other ending that I'm brewing in my head, I almost thought it would happen when Queen Gorgo was narrating as if Artemisia suddenly had an epiphany in the end. I was actually rooting for Themistocles and Artemisia, I know too good to be true but hey the chemistry is really noticeable so can't blame me. The line that got me though was, "You fight harder than you fuck." Lol. So I was thinking will she give in to his offer and live another day even possibly have a life with someone who can keep up with her wits or take away her own life when surrendering is just too much to fathom for her. Yeah those were running in my head.
Moving on, the not so likeable about the film, first would be the fight scenes. The sci-fi-ish blood shed is just a no-no to me and the jumping off a hundred foot cliff with a perfect landing. Are we watching superheroes or men who were named heroes in the history books? There will most definitely be a sequel as Xerxes is still yet to use his gigantic figure in battle so I hope they stray from this path and stick to battle of the real men.
Themistocles, as portrayed by Sullivan Stapleton, he kind of lacked the charisma of a general in the battlefield. I don't expect him to look rugged as Athens is known to be the brains of Ancient Greece while Sparta are the brawns so that justifies the boyish over manly appeal. However, you always look for charisma in a leader in which Sullivan lacks plus I was looking for conviction and fighting spirit in his voice that fell short in my expectation. If you are in a battle with a small army who will go up against a mammoth size of Persians you will most likely need a lot of inspiration and encouraging words from your leader.
Those are the things I've noticed but let me add on my sidenotes. The not so important aspects yet people look for anyway. There were less abs and muscles, the Athens are definitely doing more studying than fighting. So depends on your taste if you like the lean muscular or those hard ripped biceps and six packs.
Anyway, comparing it to the first movie, I can say that Butler just put 300 to greater heights but this one is still entertaining enough. So I really wouldn't say waste of money.
