Warner Bros. Pictures provides a second installment in a film series that vivifies the long-ago Persian invasion of Greece (480 BC) with a robust amalgam of larger-than-life storytelling, fantastical and mythic touches, and sword-slashing battle scenes. The movie,\u00a0300: Rise of an Empire<\/i>\u00a0(R), inspired by a graphic novel by Frank Miller (the not-yet published\u00a0Xerxes<\/i>), takes the combat action\u2014and characters\u2019 clashes\u2014to the high seas. Produced by Zack Snyder and directed by Noam Murro, the movie will be released by in 2D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D formats on March 7.<\/p>\n
Snyder\u2019s latest is a follow-up to\u00a0300<\/em>, which was released in 2007, set in the same world and time, and closely based on Miller\u2019s superb graphic novel (Dark Horse, 1999).\u00a0300<\/i>\u00a0told the tale of how a resolute King Leonidas and his 300 stouthearted Spartans held a narrow mountain pass against the massive forces of Persian King Xerxes during the Battle of Thermopylae, fighting to the death in a legendary last stand.<\/p>\n This adaptation focuses on adept statesman and swordsman, Athenian general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton), who struggles to fuse the contentious Greek city-states into a coherent whole and lead a united navy into battle. Meanwhile, the Persian forces are amassing, an immense\u00a0armada ruled over by the \u201cmortal-turned-god\u201d Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and led by his volatile and vengeful ally, Queen Artemisia (Eva Green). The stakes are high, and the very future of democracy may just lay in Themistokles\u2019s hands. In addition to numerous new cast members, several veterans from the first film\u2013including Santoro and Lena Headey (as the Spartan queen, Gorgo)\u2014reprise their roles. Teens can visit the\u00a0official site<\/a>\u00a0for a look at the production\u2019s lavish backdrops, dramatically lit land and sea settings, and grandiose (and graphically blood-splattered) m\u00eal\u00e9es.<\/p>\n Movie Tie-ins<\/b><\/p>\n 300: Rise of an Empire: The Art of the Film<\/i>\u00a0(Titan, 2014; Gr 9 Up) is jam-packed with stunning photographs and production artwork showcased on handsome spreads. Framed by remarks from Murro and Snyder and sprinkled throughout with commentary from cast and crew, Peter Aperlo\u2019s succinct text describes the movie\u2019s origins, makes comparisons to the first film, introduces the characters (along with reflections from the individuals who portray them), and highlights important settings (including an extravagantly envisioned Persepolis and austere-looking Sparta).<\/p>\n A day-by-day account at the nautical Battle of Artemisium is illustrated with spectacular shipboard stills, concept artwork and storyboard sequences, and behind-the-scenes photos. The full-color images are eye-catching and intriguing, from striking double-page representation of fiery seafaring skirmishes or a flame-infused Athens, to close-up details of reproduced weaponry and statues, to a look at how a lifelike horse model and CGI effects were utilized to create Themistokles\u2019s realistic ride across the decks of a blazing war galley. An informative and fun-to-browse offering.<\/p>\n Moviegoers will want to read or revisit the graphic novel that started it all, Miller\u2019s\u00a0300<\/i>\u00a0(Dark Horse, 1999; Gr 10 Up). Intertwining historical fact with a sword-rattling sensationalism and the rapt tone of a legend in the making, the script introduces a steadfast Spartan king and the men who stand strong against the onslaught of an army \u201cvast beyond imagining, ready to devour tiny Greece\u2014to snuff out the world\u2019s hope for reason and justice.\u201d Depicted in dramatic earth-toned artwork, the story unfurls with blood-splattered battle scenes and bold acts of courage, as Spartan warriors make a sacrifice that stands as inspiration for all of Greece to unite against a common foe.<\/p>\n The generously sized spreads portray the starkness of the setting along with detailed re-creations of ancient armor and armaments. The use of shifting perspectives such as views from above or through the eye slits of a Spartan helmet, underscore the combat\u2019s cataclysmic violence. Sporting chiseled features and a razor-sharp beard, Leonidas is believably intimidating and the portrayal of Xerxes\u2014with his regal bearing, elaborate piercings and gold jewelry, and godlike demeanor\u2014will be familiar to film fans. Readers will be will be mesmerized by this enthralling look at history.<\/p>\n More Go-to Graphic Novels<\/b><\/p>\n Nestled among the numerous frays featured in\u00a0300: Rise of an Empire<\/i>\u00a0is a glimpse back at the Greek victory at Marathon during the first Persian invasion led by King Darius 10 years prior. Boaz Yakin and Joe Infurnari\u2019s\u00a0Marathon<\/i>\u00a0(First Second, 2012; Gr 9 Up) integrates historical fact, legend, and fictionalized interpretation to tell the story of an Athenian messenger who ran over 300 exhausting miles to deliver vital information that swayed the course of events, led to Greek triumph, and resulted in the addition of a new competition to the Olympic games.\u00a0The action begins with a flashback, as the young son of a slave family wins a foot race, earning Athenian citizenship along with the ire of despotic King Hippias, whose own son was defeated (the resentful ruler would later have Eucles\u2019s parents executed).<\/p>\n