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Women rule over this 'Empire'

Oddly, for a franchise founded on the bedrock of man flesh and macho posturing, it's the women of "300: Rise of an Empire" who make the most impact. Lena Headey, as Spartan Queen Gorgo, makes serious, focused use of her lamentably limited time on screen, and Eva Green rips into her ruthless anti-heroine, Artemisia, with throaty gusto, not to mention an endless supply of beautifully draped leather and chain mail. (Who knew Persian barges boasted that much closet space?) Extras on the DVD and Blu-ray (Warner, $29-$45) include the four-part "The 300 Effect," about the making of the film, and four other featurettes.

Washington Post