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 Tonight...We dine in HELL!!! Dec 03, 2008
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, 300 takes over the screen like an invading horde. With all the gushing blood of a horror movie and the scope of a classic epic, the second film from Zack Snyder (who helmed the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead) is an impressive visual spectacle. Gerard Butler plays Leonidas, the king of ancient Sparta. The city is famous for its warrior philosophy, and Leonidas won't kneel to the demands of Persia's King Xerxes. Instead, Leonidas leads his 300-strong army against Xerxes's army of millions.
With its gore and scale, 300 marks director Snyder as a possible successor to Peter Jackson's throne. The huge fights in 300 rival Jackson's efforts in the Lord of the Rings films. Though the cast doesn't boast any A-list stars, the actors ably fill their larger-than-life roles. Though there are scenes that demonstrate the humanity of the characters, 300 is undeniably about bravery and blood, and it succeeds because of the stylish depictions of both.
Gorgeous cinematography! Dec 02, 2008
Gorgoeous cinematography! Wonderful story line of strength & courage! And came right on time as promised. LOVE THAT~!
Awesome Film Nov 24, 2008
This film is freaking great!
I have the Limited Collector's Edition, with the digital copy... the only thing is I can't get the digital copy without the 25 digit authorization code! I can't seem to find it... anybody else experiencing the same thing?
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
wish I'd known what to expect Nov 22, 2008
I didn't know much of what to expect--just that it was a historical war movie.
I tell you this so you'll understand why I was underwhelmed for the first quarter of the movie. The monochromatic filming, mostly in sepia tones, but then occasionally in blues, got pretty irritating. And then there was the Heroic Music and the Ominous Music trying to get me all excited or worried about characters I didn't even know yet. And that was really irritating.
It starts off with voice-over narration and a little boy going off to be trained as a Spartan warrior. Complete with a weird-looking CGI wolf. I couldn't figure out why they couldn't use a real wolf. Lots of scrawny kid skulking around being shadowed by a goofy looking wolf with the dramatic music. In sepia.
Truthfully, I was tempted it to the males and go off to the computer or a book.
But it's a good thing I kept watching. Once the boy grew up, he became King Leonidas (Gerard Butler). Xerxes of Persia invades, and Leonidas goes to the Oracle to get... well, basically to get permission to repel the invasion. But the priests are paid off and they advise against it. So Leonidas takes 300 men for a walk.
There's intrigue back home as the Queen tries to send reinforcements, but mostly, it's battle scenes. The fighting did really remind me of the Alerans in Captain's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 4)--the shieldwall type of fighting and the disciplined soldiers were very familiar.
The cinematography continues, with the colored filters and a somewhat dizzying switching between slow motion and fast forward. Here's where knowing what I was getting into might have helped. I've since discovered that 300 is based on a graphic novel that's based on a movie that's based on history. And then it made sense--the cinematography gave it that stylish, surrealistic feel that fits with the graphic novel.
It also made the violence much easier to take for this squeamish viewer.
So, 4 stars, but if I'd known what to expect, I'd probably have enjoyed it a half-star more.
I loved this movie Nov 18, 2008
I originally had to view this movie for a history class on history on film. This movie blew me away. You have to keep in mind that it is based on a comic book so the coloring and graphics are going to look exactly like a graphic novel, which is actually one of the best parts because it is so unique. The movie is a little gory but that's because it is depicting one of the most famous battles of Ancient Greece. The acting is amazing. Also, while you are watching it, you can see a lot of intentional parallels with America and its involvement in the war in Iraq. When the Spartan Queen goes before her "congress" she speaks about how the war is being fought for all the reasons America goes to war. So this movie is actually oddly relevant.
This movie will have you rooting for the 300 spartans and will have you on the edge of your seat. It is non-stop action and fairly historically accurate. It also follows the graphic novel to a "T". I highly recommend this for any history fans, graphic novel fans, and fans of war & actions movies. Word of warning, it is a little graphic and there is a scene where the King and Queen of Sparta are "intimate" so it is not for young viewers.
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![300 [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yOilN7RtL._SL160_.jpg "300 [Blu-ray]")
