300: Rise of an Empire Review - 3 Stars

Eva Green seizes control of “300 rise of an Empire” the moment she comes on-screen and never lets go and the movie is better for it.  She plays the wonderful villainess Artemisia — head of the Persian Navy and the power behind the throne held by the golden king.  She plans an invasion of Greece and their small Navy.  But the Greeks outfox the larger force, and Artemisia grows more and more fierce.  She nurses a life long grudge.  The Greeks imprisoned her and sold her to Persia where the Persian King rescued her and turned her into a world-class warrior.  She faces Themistokles played by Sullivan Stapleton.  The two foes share wonderful chemistry — their meetings and fights induce gasps from the audience.  “Rise of an Empire” looks great–literally a graphic novel.  The story spills out with high drama some of it a little more than campy.  Fans of the original “300” will find a lot to like in this second story of which I imagine will be many more to come.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Ancient battles fueled by vengeance.  Is it entertaining?  High drama.  Is it worth the price of admission?  To watch Eva Green at work.