Posted on 19 January 2010 by Tim O'Leary, Associate Editor

Five Torches (Out of Five)

Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the much-hyped new show from Starz, is finally premiering this Friday, January 22nd at 10 PM. At long last, a chance to see if the product lives up to its claim of pushing the boundaries of violence and nudity you've seen on television.

So does it? In two words, hell yeah.

Even if you've seen the mega-violent 300, which Spartacus unabashedly takes a lot of its visual aesthetic from, don't think you're prepared -- the similarities end once you cross the look and get into the content. Both have that "living graphic novel" feel, as much of the show is shot with actors against a green screen, allowing the ancient world to come to life behind them.

But while 300 was strictly a testosterone-fueled fightfest, Spartacus actually gives its characters a lot to say and feel ... and eviscerate.

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