Eva Green's portrayal of Artemisia steals the show in the otherwise hollow sequel 300: Rise of an Empire. The 300 series prioritizes action over accuracy or story, with Artemisia standing out as a compelling character. Despite negative reviews, Artemisia's powerful presence elevates the revenge-fueled storyline in the film.

I never thought 300: Rise of an Empire could capture lightning in a bottle a second time, but the 300 sequel is just so hollow. Director Zack Snyder's 2007 historical epic uses Frank Miller's landmark graphic novels as inspiration to chronicle the Battle of Thermopylae. A key moment in the Greco-Persian Wars, Thermopylae saw King Leonidas leading 300 Spartans against the Persian "God-King" Xerxes. Although Zack Snyder didn't return to direct the 300 sequel, the filmmaker once again co-wrote the over-the-top screenplay for 300: Rise of an Empire with Kurt Johnstad.

Despite mixed reviews from critics and Greek historians alike, 300 garnered a...