Here we are at the penultimate spot in our Worst Movies of 2014 countdown, and 300: Rise of an Empire has just missed out on taking the crown and will have to settle for second place.
300: Rise of an Empire
I don't know about you, but I didn't think that 300 required a sequel or a prequel, and why this movie was ever given the green light still remains a bit of a mystery. But given the go-ahead it was and Noam Murro took over the director's chair from Zack Snyder.
300: Rise of an Empire was based on the Frank Miller's graphic novel Xerxes and takes the action to a fresh battlefield - on the sea - as Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war. Themistokles faces off against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemisia (Eva Green), vengeful commander of the Persian navy.
I was a huge fan of 300 when it hit the big screen back in 2007, but sadly, 300: Rise of an Empire in no ways lives up to that first film. Instead, we were given a movie that tried to recapture the glory of what has gone before rather than trying to forge its own identity.
It has been a seven-year wait to see 300: Rise of an Empire to hit the big screen and believe me when I tell you that the wait really was not worth it. There is no denying that movie looks fantastic, but it has little substance underneath the beautiful effects. The script really is paper-thin and Murro seems to want to focus on the cringe worthy 'relationship' between Themistokles and Artemisia rather than build any characters of depth or interest. This movie also has the most ridiculous sex scene of the year - that will at least give you something to have a little chuckle about.
300: Rise of an Empire really is style over substance with blood, guts, and gore the heart of this film rather than any strong story and plot. The action scenes really do dazzle but I personally would have liked a real story to go along with that as opposed to just jumping from moment of brutality and killing to another.
Murro has brought together a talented cast, and it is a shame to see the like of Eva Green and Lena Headey go to waste - Headey fans will be majorly disappointed as the actress is barely used in this film.
Sadly, 300: Rise of an Empire is one of the most pointless movies and dullest movies of the year. This had the potential to be a great addition to the 300 universe as they have the look of the film spot on. But the fact that they seemed to have bypassed a script altogether is a major shame. This has been one of the most frustrating films of the year because you know it could have been so much more - such a huge opportunity has been lost here.