Review Roundup: 300: Rise of an Empire

The sequel to the 2006 action film "300" hits 3D, 2D, and Imax theaters today. The film stars Sullivan Stapelton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Hans Matheson and Jack O'Connell.

Based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel XERXES, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster "300," this new chapter of the epic saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield-on the sea-as Greek general Themistokles attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.

300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes, and Artemisia, vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

What did the critics have to say?

Nicolas Rapold | New York Times

"Unlike the death-cult Spartans, led to war in the earlier film by Gerard Butler in a performance that unleashed a thousand meme variations, this motley crew of slightly less chiseled Greeks follows the less inspiring, or, at any rate, less shouty, Themistokles." Read the full review here.

Betsy Sharkey | Los Angeles Times

"As much performance art as movie, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE unfolds as beautiful, bloody, slow-motion machismo. Torsos bared, swords flashing, another 300 rock the leather skirts and loincloths with pounding, passionate music perfectly underscoring this latest round of the "beautiful death" the ancient Greeks were so poetic about." Read the full review here.

Scott Bowles | USA Today

"Empire promises and delivers a literal tide of blood, which will be welcome news for action aficionados looking for a picture that pulls no punches. But for fans of story, Empire throws none." Read the full review here.

Ty Burr | Boston Globe

"Basically, if "300" was a pep-talk from Coach on how to lose with dignity, "Rise of an Empire" is an inspirational speech on the value of teamwork. Mostly it's about kicking butt in ultraviolent, heavily computerized battle scenes." Read the full review here.

Ann Hornaday | Washington Post

""Rise of an Empire" is no fun at all - even those famous six-pack abs from "300" seem to be missing a can or two in this desperate attempt to up an already dubious ante. Despite a visibly sincere effort, Stapleton is a non-starter as the brave Athenian trying to unite the city-states of Greece in defending their experiment in democracy. His supporting players are little more than an anonymous tableau of shirtless, grunting dude-itude." Read the full review here.

Rafer Guzmán | Newday

"Rise of an Empire" seems to be overcompensating for something. Heads are severed, mouths stabbed, women raped, all of it captured in pleasure-lengthening slow-motion and smeared with thick digital blood. Murro goes overboard when adding depth to the 3-D field, filling the atmosphere with so much floating virtual crud -- dust motes, campfire sparks, pollen -- that it distracts from his already overwhelmed actors." Read the full review here.

Drew Hunt | Chicago Reader

"History becomes a vulgar spectacle in this ultraviolent actioner about the second Persian invasion of Greece and the Battle of Artemisium. An Athenian general (Sullivan Stapleton) leads his muscle-bound countrymen against an evil king (Rodrigo Santoro) and the vast army led by his buxom second in command (Eva Green), a foul temptress with a murderous streak." Read the full review here.