300: Rise of an Empire (IMAX 3D)

How do you follow up after the success of 2006's "300" film? Evidently, you make a prequel/concurrent/sequel combination explaining what happened before, during, and after Leonidas' battle at Thermopylae. Covering up a weak plot and characters, the film makers employ more violence, more blood splatterings, more decapitations, and more cheesy one liners in a one-dimensional 3D movie. Oddly, they even stage a couple of weird sexual tension scenes between the rival Greek and Persian commanders. Loosely based on historical events and characters, this action driven film is but eye candy for blood thirsty adrenalin junkies.

Alien gives it 2 ½ "revenge & avenge" stars out of 4.