300: Rise of an Empire

Last week I saw the much anticipated sequel to 300, 300 Rise on an Empire, and it didn't disappoint. This movie focused more on the intelligence of the Greeks, and how superior tactics and formations allowed them to overcome a far greater enemy. The Athenians provided the brain to the Spartans' brawn and together the two formed a nearly unstoppable fighting force.

The film featured some excellent battle scenes and a number of entertaining new characters.  Eva Green played an excellent villain, and Sullivan Stapelton came up big as the male lead. I'm a big fan of his from his role as Sgt. Damien Scott on the series Strike Back, and in 300 he showed versatility in playing an intelligent and calculating general. In strike back he's more if a go with the flow guy, not really a great tactician, mostly relying on luck and firepower to get him out of a sticky situation, and it was nice to see him succeed at a completely different role. 

This film had some great action sequences, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoyed its predecessor, but I wouldn't say that it surpassed the original. Still very good and enjoyable, but not better than the original; about the same is say. In any case, go see it.