hulking shirtless dudes with swords and beautifully rendered digital landscapes. I didn't expect

all of that to get upstaged by the diabolical Eva Green as the vengeful Persian commander.

She wants revenge on the Greeks who slaughtered her family and sold her into slavery. As the

force behind Xerxes the God King from the first film...

For glory's sake, for vengeance sake, War!

She slices and dices her forces through the Greek navy on a path to conquer Athens.

Do you gentlemen find command unreasonable? Is it too much to ask for victory?

Following 300, Rise of an Empire is more of the same, utilizing a similar story-telling

style, while trying to expand the overall scope and the body count.

Very few of the characters have anything memorable to do other than swing their swords and yell...

Seize your glory!

But Eva Green relishes her role with such wicked delight, she easily outshines all of

her fellow actors and the stylish special effects.

If you like you greek history told through the lens of professional wrester, 300: Rise

of an Empire works as a fine companion to its predecessor.

I'm John at the Movies.