I haven't seen this film yet but I enjoyed the first (kind of - I think I would enjoy it more now) and the reviews here so far have been encouraging.
In the vein of uncomplicated period piece films about the virtues of masculine heroism another movie I came across and highly enjoyed was Master and Commander (2003). I say uncomplicated in terms of the overall plot, but laced throughout is a lot of embodied commentary on masculinity, fraternity, stoicism, leadership, duty, individuality, patriotism, and the many ways some of those values can come into tension with one another when a group is challenged by external forces.
It received ten academy award nominations (Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing, Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects). It won the awards for Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing but lost the rest to
The Return of the King. The fact the movie had to contend with the Lord of the Rings Finale has been seen to be the reason for it passing with less cultural remark during the 2000's.
The Critical Drinker's Review/Recommendation:
Academy of Ideas has a longer review, going more into the subtleties of the dialog between the two main characters and how the characters and ship itself are a microcosm of the dialectic between different political and moral philosophies as they encounter enemy forces, internal disagreements, and the powers of nature. And it really doesn't disappoint on this front.