300 Rise of an Empire COVER

Fans of the action-adventure 300 film series who are eagerly awaiting the release of the latest incarnation 300: Rise of an Empire this weekend should check out the new book; 300: Rise of an Empire – The Art  of the Film!  This lavish, oversized hardback companion book to the new movie features stunning production art, photography from the acclaimed Clay Enos (Watchmen Portraits) and input from Zack Snyder and Noam Murro. We’ve got a copy of it that we just finished reading thru and have our review to share below, so click ahead for that and some images from the new book as well.

300: Rise of an Empire is the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2007 international blockbuster 300. Based on Frank Miller’s latest graphic novel Xerxes, 300: Rise of an Empire, the breathtaking visual style of this new chapter of the epic 300 saga takes the action to a fresh battlefield—on the sea—as Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) 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 (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemisia (Eva Green), vengeful commander of the Persian navy. 300: Rise of an Empire also stars Lena Headey, Hans Matheson, and David Wenham, and will be released in theaters on 7 March, 2014.

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

For starters, I have to say, I was not a huge fan of the original 300 film, and the sequel is not on my Must See list for the upcoming weekend. But needless to say, I love the “Art of” books that TITAN Books puts out. I had no plans to see ELYSIUM until I was sent the Art of book for that movie and after reading thru that, I was sold and buying my tickets on Fandango.com soon after. In this case, I can’t say lightning strikes twice, but let me not hold up this review any longer…

300: Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film is an impressive hardcover book with 160 pages of concept art, production stills, behind the scenes set photography and more from the film. While the book feels light in the actual art department, it is full of some of the things I do like the most about these books, a glimpse at the behind the scenes and making of the production. It was enjoyable to see the concept sketches that then were turned into practical props, costumes and effects, which blended with the heavy later added CGI elements of the film gives a stunning visual adventure for movie-goers. From elaborate set pieces to hand crafted warrior weapons, you get a sense of the detail that went into making everything that wasn’t later added digitally or on a green screen in post-production.

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

Having worked in Motion Picture Marketing I’ve been on plenty of still photo shoots for publicity and print marketing, and this was one of the first times I saw some examples of some of that photography in one of these Art of books. There is a wonderful assortment of stills of various cast from the film, young and old in costumes and make-up that give you a sense of connectivity to the actors who were cast in the film for scenes both long and short.

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

While some of the concept art was colorful and vibrant, a good portion was dark and muted. In a way it mirrors that gray’ish tone of the 300 films, with the emphasis on certain colors like skies, fire and blood that really pop out. But I was a bit under-impressed with the art in this collection. I like to take away at least from some of these Art of books, an image or two that I could see myself buying a print of and hanging on my home office wall. Sadly, nothing spoke to me from what I saw in this book.

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

While there is order in the book of people, places, things and events, there still seemed to be a bit of a “thrown together’ feel to each of those chapters.

I am not sure the book does the film any justice or will put any extra butt in the seat. As a promotional marketing tool, I feel this falls flat. As an Art of book that continues with the landscapes, characters, battle scenes and historical depiction of a time long past, it does a pretty decent job and fans of the 300 films will surely enjoy all it has to offer.

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

300 Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film

Be sure to pick up your copy of 300: Rise of an Empire – The Art of the Film from AMAZON.com and TITAN BOOKS and be sure to check out the film this weekend, if not for yourself, then FOR SPARTA!!!

300 Rise of an Empire COVER