I Fully Believe Eva Green Saved The 300 Sequel From Failure

Summary Eva Green's portrayal of Artemisia steals the show in the otherwise hollow sequel 300: Rise of an Empire.

The 300 series prioritizes action over accuracy or story, with Artemisia standing out as a compelling character.

Despite negative reviews, Artemisia's powerful presence elevates the revenge-fueled storyline in the film.

I never thought 300: Rise of an Empire could capture lightning in a bottle a second time, but the 300 sequel is just so hollow. Director Zack Snyder's 2007 historical epic uses Frank Miller's landmark graphic novels as inspiration to chronicle the Battle of Thermopylae. A key moment in the Greco-Persian Wars, Thermopylae saw King Leonidas leading 300 Spartans against the Persian "God-King" Xerxes. Although Zack Snyder didn't return to direct the 300 sequel, the filmmaker once again co-wrote the over-the-top screenplay for 300: Rise of an Empire with Kurt Johnstad.

Despite mixed reviews from critics and Greek historians alike, 300 garnered a staggering $456 million at the box office, and cemented Zack Snyder's style-over-substance approach to movie-making. Packed with grueling slow-motion sequences and copious amounts of blood and gore, the stylized epic captures the essence of the graphic novel, even if I find the characters a bit flat. Just shy of a decade later, 300: Rise of an Empire hit theaters, drawing not just $337.6 million at the box office, but largely negative reviews. Still, there's one bright spot for me: Eva Green's Artemisia.

Eva Green's Role As Artemisia Was The Best Part Of 300: Rise Of An Empire

Artemisia Is A Key Player In 300's Fictionalized Greco-Persian Wars

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Based on the Battles of Artemisium and Salamis, 300: Rise of an Empire once again takes liberties with its inspirations. Heavily criticized for its historical inaccuracy, the 300 series puts thrilling battles and epic action above all else, which is exactly why it delights me and other viewers. While Gerard Butler's King Leonidus has iconic moments, he's pretty one-note. 300: Rise of an Empire's cast of characters doesn't fare much better, but Eva Green's Artemisia is an exception. In the film, Artemisia is a formerly enslaved orphan who defects from Greece after her family is murdered by Greek hoplites.

Steely, insatiable, and gloriously unhinged, Eva Green's Artemisia is a bloodthirsty naval officer.

This sets the stage for one of 300: Rise of an Empire's more compelling characters, as well as what I can only describe as Green's scene-stealing performance. Steely, insatiable, and gloriously unhinged, Eva Green's Artemisia is a bloodthirsty naval officer. If her thrilling battle scenes with 300: Rise of an Empire's Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) weren't enough to sway minds, Artemisia transforms herself into the mastermind behind Xerxes' ascension to god-like status. After Darius is murdered, Artemisia convinces Xerxes to embark on a treacherous journey that will anoint him God-King, further fueling his soldiers' desire to destroy Greece.

Related '300: Rise of an Empire' Review It may not court casual moviegoers as easily as its predecessor, but Murro succeeds at delivering a 300 sequel that fans will enjoy watching.

The 300 Sequel Wouldn't Have Worked Without Eva Green & Her Character

Artemisia Influences 300's Xerxes & Searches For Her Own Revenge

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Eva Green's 300: Rise of the Empire character has personality in spades, which makes a massive difference in a movie that's otherwise devoid of much character. The 300 franchise's stylish aesthetic and singular approach to filmmaking doesn't quite justify the sequel's existence. For me, the film's decision to zero in on the revenge-fueled Artemisia — a deliciously power-hungry warrior who uses the larger conflict between Persia, Athens, and Sparta to her advantage — allows 300: Rise of the Empire to at least make a compelling argument that the Battle of Thermopylae wasn't the only clash worth chronicling.

As of June 2024, 300: Rise of an Empire is streaming on Hulu.