300 2007

review

 2

Take a bit of Gladiator posturing, give him He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe attire & physique, throw on a pair Sin City shades, wrap him ‘em up in comic book dramatics and some soft-core porn and you’ve got yourself a 300. A visually stunning, boring, laughably serious epic based on the Frank Miller graphic novel.

Story follows true account of Leonidos (Gerard Butler), the fiercely proud King of Sparta (in ancient Greece). He leads an army of 300 men to defend their home against the gazillions of landing Persians about to unleash hell.

The entire thing is shot against a green screen (ala Sin City) and it works well, it's quite gorgeous in fact - aside from the very poorly realised creatures. It’s grittier than Robert Rodriguez’s effort, perhaps because it’s on a smaller budget, and the look is better for it – feeling earthier and more fitting somehow. The set design is ridiculously stylized and over the top, but because it’s done so boldly this works too.

But personally, I can’t buy the seriousness in tone. Granted, it’s maybe part of such a film’s appeal. But you’ll get nothing but laughs from this punter when I hear the narrator (in a film-trailer-like voice) say “When the boy was born, like all Spartans, he was inspected”; and when the enemy says “Our arrows will blot out the sun!”, the Spartan replies thoughtfully “Then we shall fight in the shade”. It just sounds stupid, especially when your package is hanging out in a little pair of y-fronts. And what will they do when the arrows land?

I feel my point is proven when mid way through, there are a few scenes where some humour/lightness is chucked in. At this point, I suddenly became a little interested as the characters actually seemed like real people.

The ending’s alright also, and the tale is quite a good one in itself. But in essence, 300 is an excuse for homoerotic parading, gore and titillation that did little to hold my interest.

By skittles

300

 4

In 480BC around the time of the ‘Iron age’ Persian King Xerxes sent his massive army to conquer the lands of Greece. One such part of this land was the city of Sparta ruled by King Leonidas. Sparta, was a city renowned for its warriors, brave and trained to be fearless in the face of imminent doom.

Leonidas takes a stand (albeit a suicidal one) against Xerxes and leads 300 of his finest soldiers into battle in an attempt to buy time for the rest of Greece to get their act together and prepare for the Persian Invasion. This delay tactic was said to be one of the most famous last stands in history and a testament to the training, dedication, skill, fearlessness and valour of the Spartans. It has also been said that the battle, which followed between the Greeks and the Persians, led the way to modern day democracy.
All of the historical details aside we have to remember this film was based on a graphic novel not a textbook. Therefore, it becomes a huge and magnificent spectacle for us to digest.

However, I have to say, this has been done before, again and again and again. From, Braveheart, Gladiator, Troy and Lord of the Rings we have all witnessed the cinematic event of the massive armies screaming for the enemy ready to tear them to shreds. However, in the story of ‘300’ the Spartans are vastly outnumbered and although their starting tactics allowed them to brutally overwhelm the front lines of the Persians they were on their way to death, they knew it and so did we. Thus, the computer generated effects although perhaps a little second-hand did justice to the horrific prospect the Spartans faced in their attempt to hold off the Persians.

Bloodbaths, carnage, gore, beheading and maiming are the main meal of the battle scenes which are definitely not to be viewed by the weak at heart. A man’s movie I hear you cry?? Maybe, but I wonder how many of those testosterone fuelled men growling about how magnificently gruesome the fight scenes were, noticed the truly homoerotic connotations of 300. The attempt to conceal this by the gratuitous female nudity failed miserably and what was left was a demi god (Xerxes) straight off a mardis gras float fighting 300 extremely buff, deliciously half naked men. So, ladies if your partner is desperate to take you to the movies for this one and you are not keen, you should be! This film is as much for the girls as it is the boys intentionally or not…

Overall, the concept and choice of cast is nowhere near as charismatic as the film interpretation of Frank Millers ‘Sin City’ but its steely grace, just like the Spartan Warriors keeps you mesmerised through to the end. Instead of waiting for the DVD, do see this at the cinema as a small screen would do no justice to the enormity of the story and the vision of 300. Plus, the men…oh the men…

By Angela

Are you people kidding?

 1

Looks good - not great, and otherwise is just dribble. So boring, predictable & laughable.

By Peter H

Watch it. Now.

 5

This has to be one of the most amazing movies I have seen it my time. It blew me away to think that this movie has been given an average rating of four stars, because I would give it six, were it possible. The fighting scenes mixed with the passionate love scenes made this movie so appealing to the visual sense that I had to see it more then once.

By Superstar kez

 3

What a great visual experience, it was great to see an ancient battle portrayed in a graphic and fantasical style. The actor that played the King of Sparta had a great screen presence which made you not notice that there was about 300 fight scenes in the movie and a weak plot. I wouldn't recomend this to people who's favourite genres are romantic comedies or heartfelt family dramas. If you are a comic art fan or like actions and are bored of the traditional blockbuster type I would recommend.

By Mandy

Awesome entertainment

 4

Gripping and visually stunning - loved the passion and powerful characters - yet not so gory to be over the top as so many movies can be. Definitely worth seeing. Dee

By Dee

113 + 187 = 300

 2

300 was mildly entertaining. Nice action scenes and some nice gore in there too.
But.....what's up with paying $14 to see a movie at 1pm on a Wednesday afternoon.
Sort it out Village idiots

By Mo-man

Warrior Mentality

 4

Yay.
Who doesn't want to see their man fighting it out for His wife and country. Let alone 300 of them. Passionate, commited and with a purpose. This movie was all guts and bravado, fantasy with a smidgeon of historic reference. Which someone should have told me as I was expecting another 'Gladiator'. Once I figured out it was supposed to be a fantasy, (which wasnt til I saw the guy with the claws!) I could settle in, enjoy and ...lower my expectations.
That done, I loved it. Effects cool. Story not so much. Accents were distracting. Closed my eyes during the sex scenes but still caught the premise that, Yep, He sure does love His woman.
So all you gals out there...Go and see it. If only to see how a real man should act.

By Tray

Epic adventure

 4

This movie is old world epic. With all the drama, pomp, arrogance, brawn and intrigue of ancient Greece. Ladies will appreciate the hot bods of the rugged Spartan men. Koorrr blimey!
Guys will love the gorey, graphic battle scenes that make up much of the movie. Great use of slow mo and new film techniques mean they don't get boring. The love story and ample female flesh add another dimension.
At times the plot does slow down a bit but this film really just stands as a testiment to the wonders of modern technology.
Certainly worth viewing on the big screen. An entertaining night out.

By Sarah

Really enjoyed it

 5

Probably the most faithful film representation of a graphic novel I've ever seen, but I am glad the full frontal male nudity didn't make the film.

A lot of people laugh at how seriously the characters took themselves in this film, but that's just how it was in the graphic novel. A lot of the dialogue was ripped straight from the pages with the main exceptions of the politics that went on back in Sparta during the battle and the relationship King Leonidas had with his wife.

I couldn't help but look past this films faults because so many comic adaptations miss the mark when it comes to the overall feeling you get from seeing them brought to life that its just great to get one that feels right. Now, fingers crossed a videogame adaptation can get the same treatment... I'm not gonna hold my breath on that one.

By Mr Effective

'Politics' of 300

 3

300 was ok - looks great, but its also unintentionally very funny.

However, I've heard a lot about the 'politics' of the movie from people who've seen it. They see a metaphor for US v Iraq - and that the film is pro-war. Whilst it's hard to argue against it being pro-war - it certainly hypes it up - I don't at all see how the story favours the US invasion. In fact, if anything, you could say the Persians mirror the US - the massive overpowering force - and the Spartans mirror the Iraqis. In this way, 300 could be seen as anti-American.

By Paul

this is an easy one for the critics to pull apart

 3

300 is a movie that has great melee, but not grand fighting scenes. Its graphics are similar to those in some gaming products such as "fight night round 3". this movie has awesome enemies (by numbers) yet lacks to involve all of them and individually they really aren't that overwhelming. the spartans are brilliantly portrayed and reveal great warriorship on the battlefield, only wish there was alot of more of it. apart from the king none of the characters are justified by the movie, they are short lived which leaves less meaning to "300". the political aspect to the movie is very dry and should have been removed from the movie completely or redone to fulfil the uglyness of pure politics. overall since 300 has an artistic style to it, there is no real necessity to narration; infact narration is generally there for the viewer to catch up on the storyline but you dont miss anything, and in this specific movie it generally kills the suspense.

By peter

Nicely Done

 4

This movie is ahead of it's time in a lot of ways and really quite a masterpiece. I'm talking about the cinematography, the colour, the costumes, the muscles and the real gore. The acting was a little disappointing. And there were a lot of very corny lines but definitely worth seeing.

By Kate Walsh

300 Million

 5

This movie is Perfect the best 1 I have seen this year and I have seen most

By Tania

Mildly entertaining

 2

Whaaaaaaaaat? This is not that good a film, and certainly not 'perfect'. Over dramatic - style over substance. And laughable in most parts. Has an appeal in its 'naff-ness', but only mildly entertaining.

By Paul

300 Million

 5

Hey I liked it

By Tania

Excellent!!

 5

300 honestly has some of the best fight scenes ever put to film. Leonidas' first charge at the Persian horde will live long in the memory and just oozed of style. Zach Snyder did an excellent job in bringing Frank and Lynn's work to life and I can't wait to see what he does with Watchmen.

The smaller battle of 300 Spartans vs the entire Persian army makes the "epic" battles of movies like Troy, Kingdom of Heaven and Alexander look pathetic.

The worst parts of the film were definitely scenes not in the original source material involving the politics of Sparta but this is more than made up for by the extra oomph Zach gave to the battle itself.

Super-styley violence fans can't miss this nor can fans of the graphic novel.

By J

Experts Outake

 5

A gory action packed movie with some of hte best fight seens I have ever seen.

TOtally wicked :D

By Matt