300: Rise of an Empire
300: Rise of an Empire
Greek general Themistocles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Themistocles faces the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god, Xerxes and Artemesia, the vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
Nier reviewed
July 9, 2025•
300: Rise of an Empire earns a solid 4 stars from me. While it doesn’t quite recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle impact of the original 300, it still delivers a visually stunning and action-packed experience. The film leans hard into its stylized battles and epic naval scenes, offering plenty of slow-motion combat and bloody spectacle fans expect.
The story expands on the world and history established in the first film, focusing more on strategy at sea and introducing fresh faces like Artemisia, who steals almost every scene she’s in. The performances are strong, and the movie never drags—there’s always another battle or bold speech around the corner.
It might not be as iconic or emotionally charged as the original, but Rise of an Empire still provides a thrilling, larger-than-life journey. If you can accept it for the impressive popcorn flick that it is, you’ll have a great time.