300: Rise of an Empire

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
300: Rise of an Empire Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 17+

Sequel with stylized bloody battles, sex, and vengeance.

R 2014 102 minutes
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Parents say

age 17+

Based on 10 reviews

Kids say

age 15+

Based on 20 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that 300: Rise of an Empire is the sequel to the violent hit 300, with the story taking place before, during, and after the events of the original. The violence in the new movie is artificial and fantasy-based, but extremely bloody, with many fight scenes, sliced-up bodies, severed heads and limbs, and huge gushes of spraying blood. There's also a subplot about an abused girl, with sexual abuse strongly suggested. The movie contains a sex scene that plays more like a fight than lovemaking, and female toplessness is shown for several minutes. Another woman is topless in a brief scene, and many chiseled, musclebound men are shown shirtless throughout. The movie clearly contains one use each of "f--k" and "c--k," and a possible second use during a noisy crowd scene.

Community Reviews

jcmcdowell
jcmcdowell Adult
June 19, 2021
age 17+

Amazing, but not as good as the first.

I just saw this film today, and I thought the fight scenes, costumes, props, and set were complex and incredible! It is extremely bloody and gory, but the bloody moments are not super disturbing, since the blood does not look very real. Like the original, I though Xerxes looked incredible and crazy, but it was also cool to learn about his past and what compelled him to be what he became and how he transformed into a very different Xerxes. I also think the 4/5 for language is an exaggeration. There are only a few words used only once or twice in the film, so the language is not frequent. Besides an explicit sex scene, nonstop, bloody violence, and a little bit of unnecessary strong language used early in the film, it is an amazing film that any fan of the original “300” must see!

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Pres
Pres Adult
March 14, 2020
age 18+

AGE 21+ Graphic Nudity, Orgies, Rape, Sex and Violence

Sex scene with graphic female and male nudity, Gratuitous female toplessness, Graphic violence. Scene where a man appears to rape a 10 year old crying child. No redeeming qualities.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Set before, during and after the events of 300 (2007), the story turns to Greek general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton), who wishes to unite all of Greece in a new democracy. The Spartans oppose his idea, and he must go to war against the powerful Persian navy, led by the vengeful warrior Artemisia (Eva Green) and the half-God king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). But when the 300 Spartans die in battle, they become martyrs, bringing all the fighting forces together for one cause. Unfortunately Themistocles and Artemisia have some personal history together that complicates things.

Is It Any Good?

The film starts with droning exposition -- explaining a plot that is historically inaccurate anyway -- and adds wooden dialogue and stilted speeches. Then it throws in a boatload of posing, shirtless, chiseled, bearded men that are difficult to tell apart from one another. This is followed by an ongoing array of slow-motion sequences of swords slicing into bodies, limbs, and heads, and huge sprays of fake-looking computer-generated blood. Dust often floats in the foreground to highlight the 3D.

The monotony of the rest of the movie throws into sharp relief one character, the fierce, chilly warrior Artemisia (Eva Green). Green can't do much with this one-dimensional role, but she's by far the best thing in the movie. Zack Snyder adapted Frank Millers graphic novel, while Noam Murro directed. The final product is brutal and boring, though it will no doubt entertain the many fans of the hit original.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's violence. Does the movie go over-the-top? Is the violence realistic? Entertaining? What is the appeal of movies like this?

  • Does the movie have a message about working together, or is it more focused on the idea of revenge?

  • Is the movie's sex scene based more on violence, or on love?

Movie Details

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