Mar 17 2007
“300″ (2007)
Movie Review: 300
Written and Directed by: Zack Snyder
Release: 2007
Rated R.
Yep, 300 opened everywhere this last weekend and Mel and I lined up to partake in another amazing film based on another one of Frank Miller’s graphic novels (the first being the outstanding “Sin City” directed by Robert Rodriguez). I gotta admit this one had me hooked from the first damn trailer I watched earlier last year. The whole look and feel of the film, from it’s seamless computer generated environments, to it’s testosterone soaked battle scenes. It just looked bad ass and, for lack of a better word, different.
The plot is pretty basic and if you are a little up on your Greek mythology you’ll be ahead of the game, but knowledge of the story line is definitely not needed as it’s pretty much spelled out for you on the big screen through narrative and visceral scenes that pull NO punches. The story goes like this:
It’s a fictional account of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Spartan King Leonidas (played with maniacal glee by Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fight to the last man against Persian King Xerxes (an unrecognizable Rodrigo Santoro, the guy who plays Paulo from LOST) and his army of more than one million soldiers. Meanwhile, away from the battlefield back in Sparta, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) attempts to rally support for her husband. The story is framed by a voice-over narrative by the Spartan soldier Dilios (David Wenham), lending the film a historical fantasy feel. He’s sent back by Leonidas to tell their tale to the masses. The last stand of the 300 spartans was a suicide mission against insurmountable odds, but the tale of their sacrifice inspires all of Greece to unite and rise against the Persian invaders.
What follows once the lights dim is hyper stylized, kinetic violence that hasn’t been seen quite like this before, and while it wont be for everyone (just read the reviews out there. They’re pretty mixed.) you can’t deny this film’s beauty. Remember when watching “Attack of Clones” years ago and kinda being taken out of the movie by the CG sets that surrounded the actors? Well, this is the exact same situation except the resulting viewing experience is the polar opposite. I was just amazed at how realized the environments were. The actors lived and breathed in these backgrounds even though they were all shot in front of green screens on some sound stage in Canada.
No doubt, Snyder had to pull off quite a trick getting viewers to believe that these actors were indeed walking amongst these majestic vistas but he pulls this off completely. I’m telling you, if you don’t even appreciate the story, you sure as hell will appreciate the work that went into making this film. If I was a betting man I would say that you are going to see more and more of this kind of film making in the near future. I just hope it doesn’t get abused. It works in 300 hundred because the film is just so unreal. I’d be curious to see how the same effects would fair in a film framed in reality.
Of course the backgrounds only work if the actors make you believe them. The good news is that they come through in spades folks. I don’t know how they got their inspiration for each scene I couldn’t find one instance where it looked like an actor was imagining what his or her surroundings looks like. It really lends an authenticity to it all, and it’s all the actors. They also bring the ideologies of Spartan life to the screen with stunning detail. You can see it in everyone of their eyes; folks were a warrior society seeking only glory and honor in death.
And that’s one of the things that amazed me the most. Folks, these are men who literally long for death, but not just death like getting hit by a bus one morning on the way into work. No sir. These maniacs long for death that is deserving of their prowess, and that prowess is to be a human meat grinder on the battlefield. Yes they long to die, but by god they will take as many of their opponents with them as possible. They literally throw themselves into the melee and with good reason… they usually are capable of walking away from it smiling and tireless.
Imagine, for a second, fighting a warrior that is not only incredibly adept at killing and not afraid to die, but is also a skilled killer that truly hopes to die on the battlefield by a foe that is worthy of his death at their sword. Yes, yes, we’ve heard of these kinds of warriors before, but rarely do you ever believe the actors that portray them. I’ll tell you there are scenes in this movie where the dialog will send a chill down your spine. Utterly believable! So if you fancy yourself a manly man, these actors will seriously challenge any vestige of bravery or cockiness left in you. You’d weep and gladly put on that sun dress they demand you to wear. =)
The battles are well choreographed, the women are sexy and strong, the men are insanely chiseled and scary, the script delivers on every beat, so yeah if I seem a little smitten with this film it’s because there are so many aspects of it that are the real deal and utterly exceptional! It’s not your typical date movie but while it’s totally rigged towards the average male viewer, there is plenty here for the ladies as well. Mel definitely gave it two thumbs up and while she digs some action films she definitely likes to call out the stupid ones.
People have already complained about its inaccuracies, or how it’s unrealistic. To those people: it’s based on a comic book! NOT a REAL historical occurrence, so if you want to complain about anything, please waste your energy on something else.
Really folks, at the end of the night, 300 is just a popcorn movie, and it’s a damn fine one at that.
So, in short, if you are looking for a thrill ride of a film to share with your significant other; I can’t recommend this one enough. If you are looking for a new way of making film that hasn’t been done this well before; I can’t recommend this film enough. If your looking to simply be entertained for a few hours then…
…well, I think you get the idea.
