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"300 - May I have an extra helping of Testosterone, please?"
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An fantasy-action film directed by Zack Snyder and based on Frank Miller's graphic novel.
< read all 29 reviewsBy no means does it achieve greatness, but "300" is still a hell of a time.
-
Nov 25, 2011
- by ryguy4738
- posted in Movie Hype
Rating:
*** out of ****
+3
It isn't historically accurate or relevant, and it's decidedly silly; but there's just something about Zack Snyder's big-screen adaptation of the Frank Miller comic book "300" that appeals to me right off the bat. It's the kind of movie that bothers just as many as it entertains; a critically divisive action movie that just barely passes as art in its genre. Quite a few readers will probably find it laughably shallow, but there's a charm to Snyder's style; and in the absence of great stories, great characters, and great dialogue, there's something that the director arrives with and delivers will ambition. It's full-throttle, brutalized entertainment.
The story is a fictionalized account of the Battle of Thermopylae, and if you want a history lesson, I would strongly suggest looking elsewhere. One thing movies are good for is the fiction itself; and "300" more than makes up for the areas in which it is often severely lacking through the devotion of its makers. Anyways, back to the story at hand; King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) was raised from birth to become a great Spartan warrior who represented his homeland of Sparta. The beginning of the film chronicles his rise from infant to ruler; this is done with efficiently quick narration and what I perceive to be attempts at characterization. Snyder doesn't care much about his characters; so expect from beginning-to-end his main focus, which is the battle field, taking the stage instead of depth or character development.
One day, Sparta is paid a visit from a Persian messenger; whom Leonidas kills. He fears this news will be returned to the enemy forces; thus, the King gathers 300 Spartans and marches them into battle against the Persian Army. The opposing enemy forces are ruled by one man; that is Xerxes, also a King.
If it weren't for Snyder's unique, inspired direction and treatment of this material; this journey would have seemingly dragged on-and-on-and-on. Yet somehow, the filmmaker is able to establish his own style; and it's one that has defined him ever since. Sure, it consists of slow motion and CGI visual effects; but good ones at that, and Snyder makes a mean, intense slow-motion action scene like you wouldn't believe. When the Spartans are doing battle with the Persians (and the Immortals, and whoever else), its nigh impossible not to feel some sort of excitement. Such moments are never boring; while the only instances less fascinating are the ones consisting of prolonged dialogue exchanges between the genuinely uninteresting and one-dimension heroes and villains.
Usually, I'd have a problem with actors just doing their jobs and nothing relatively special (or worth mentioning whatsoever); as well as action that overshadows plot and logic. However, "300" ultimately separates itself from most action flicks out there and creates a completely visual experience; it's pretty intoxicating. It won't be engaging or entertaining for everyone as it was for me, but I can't complain about a well-done genre picture; and "300" is certainly worth a recommendation if worth anything at all.
Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Stephen McHattie, and Michael Fassbender also star. There are some names in there that you definitely know (at least by now); and some that you certainly should know by the time the movie is over. There's a chance that I've given off the wrong impression; that these are "bad" actors and "bad performances" because they deny their ability to do anything more than, well, their job. That is not what I am implying. "300" is competently acted throughout; with actors often spewing out from their collective mouths dialogue so absurd that certain, singled-out lines could go down in cinematic history as some of the most joyously stupid words ever spoken. Whether you're a grouch or one who goes to movies like this one for pure entertainment; such moments are guaranteed to provide some sort of pleasure.
Snyder worked hard on the film, and that is why I am giving him plenty of praise in return for such dedication. I admire the movie he has made, even if it is not a great one. His direction is the work of a true visionary, and at best and worst; "300" exists to be gawked at. And if you can do just that, then you might enjoy yourself. If you haven't seen the movie already, here's my advice; don't think too much. Most movies with as many stabbings, decapitations, and blood shedding should not be taken as seriously as some critics are taking them. I believe that Snyder's film is a pretty good example of this, and whether you like it or not will depend entirely on your expectations and how open your mind is to stuff like this. To conclude this write-up, I will just say this; I do not call "300" great cinema, great acting, or great anything. But the images are beautiful, the tone is admirably silly, and the action is both brutal and honestly filmed. In conclusion, I liked how fun the movie was; and it's better than you might anticipate. Or at least let's hope it is.
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woopak_the_thrill
November 25, 2011
in terms of graphic novel adaptation, this was great! Thanks for the review, Ryan!
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Scotman
November 25, 2011
This is Sparta! Good review. Some of the cast and crew appeared at Wondercon that year of release and I got to listen to Gerard Butler go on about it. I liked "The Gladiator" better, but this was a good film.
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More 300 (2007 film) reviews
review by Sean_Rhodes.
August 28, 2009
This is perhaps the film that really made Zack Snyder well known. It's what put him in the minds of many movie goers. And it put him in my mind too, but not for the exact same reasons. When I saw 300 for the first time, my first thought was that it was a very stylistic looking film that was filled with a lot of cool, flashy special effects, beautiful choreographed battle sequences. In short, it was a film that looked good. But being someone who also enjoys getting some … more
Comments (2)
Compliments (36)
Quick Tip by JohnLee.
June 11, 2010
sd
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Quick Tip by dashPillard.
May 22, 2010
mindless action. Excellent visual effects.
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review by Schtinky.
October 30, 2008
I haven't read the graphic novel so this review is based solely on the presentation of the movie. The Spartans of Greece want to keep to their ways, keep their freedom and land and way of life without the interference of the Persians. But here come the Persians anyway. After told by the wise men and the Oracle (consisting of lepers and a drunken adolescent girl) that there would be no war, the King of Sparta "takes a walk" with 300 of his finest warriors "as bodyguards". … more
Comments (4)
Compliments (20)
review by arichards.
November 01, 2008
A graphic novel comes to life Awash with bloody splendor Testosterone fuels the cry No retreat, No surrender! Spartans groom their toughest men Picked from the day they're born When challenged by the Persian king They counter it with scorn The Oracle says not to fight So say the corrupt priests You cannot stop our festival To go and fight like … more
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Compliments (7)
review by NicanorJourney.
August 19, 2008
300 was a huge success, due largely in part to the splendid CGI backgrounds and limitless display of bloodshed. I was caught up in its success for several months before I watched it a few more times asking "is it really that good?" Although it will appeal to fans of the graphic novel, and mainstream action moviegoers when you pick it apart on a critical level you'll see how it fails to compare to other epics based on similar time periods. In no way those this rock `em sock `em action joy ride hold … more
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review by vemartin.
October 21, 2007
Pros: Seriously excellent CGI special effects; suburb acting Cons: None as far as I'm concerned The Bottom Line: See this film; it is spectacularly graphic, grim, and beautiful. Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie''s plot. I am a student of history and so I was more than intrigued by the movie 300 (2006) the graphic novel retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae in Greece written by Fran Miller. The … more
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review by ssjakira1.
August 18, 2007
Pros: Awesome use of cinematography, coloring, great acting; well done! Cons: Definitely not for everyone (violence and weirdness) The Bottom Line: I'm telling you - Xerxes was a Goa'uld... Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot. I decided my sister and I needed to see a movie. Reno 911? Ghost Rider? We were a little torn until I read so many good reviews about 300. I’d been wary until then, … more
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review by CRSwanson.
August 10, 2007
Ah, the Spartans. Brutal. Violent. Pederastic (they loved their boys, and often, depsite the movie which has them dissing on Athens for that particularity). They were manly men. Not men in tights. But manly men never the less. "300" is not a movie about history. It takes in the past, sure, but only in the same way that something like Excalibur takes plce in the past. It's not a movie set in the real world, but rather set in a world full of exaggerations. It's about these highly … more
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review by MzJen_2_review.
March 22, 2007
I'm so glad I've seen this movie on big screen before it touch on DVD because it's just meant to be watch that way. I was totally bowled over by the visuals, the sound and the actors. The grainy and out of worldly color of the movie, helped in placating the faint hearted, to the scenes of decapitations, limbs flying off in different directions. The soundtrack was most apt. The rock music weaved seamlessly into the ancient setting of the movie quite magically. I've seen movies where they tried to … more
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About the reviewer
Ryan J. Marshall (ryguy4738)
It's very likely that the only kind of reviews I'll ever post here are movie reviews. I'm very passionate about film; and at this point, it pretty much controls my life. Film gives us a purpose; … more
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About this movie
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 (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) 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 (LOST's Rodrigo Santoro). Instead, Leonidas leads his 300-strong army against Xerxes's army of millions. Meanwhile, his wife (Lena Headey, THE BROTHERS GRIMM) campaigns in Sparta for the city to send reinforcements as she butts heads with the treacherous Theron (Dominic West, THE WIRE).
300 is a 2007 American action film adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller, a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant. It was filmed mostly with a super-imposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the imagery of the original comic book.
King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads 300 Spartans into battle against Persian "God-King" Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his army of more than one million soldiers. As the battle rages, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) attempts to rally support in Sparta for her husband. The story is framed by a voice-over ...
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300 is a 2007 American action film adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name by Frank Miller, a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The film was directed by Zack Snyder, while Miller served as executive producer and consultant. It was filmed mostly with a super-imposition chroma key technique, to help replicate the imagery of the original comic book.
King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads 300 Spartans into battle against Persian "God-King" Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his army of more than one million soldiers. As the battle rages, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) attempts to rally support in Sparta for her husband. The story is framed by a voice-over ...
Cast:
Rodrigo Santoro,
Dominic West,
Tom Rack,
Stephen McHattie,
Gerard Butler,
Peter Mensah,
David Wenham,
John Dunn-Hill,
Vincent Regan,
Lena Headey,
Michael Fassbender,
Tom Wisdom,
Andrew Pleavin,
Andrew Tiernan,
Giovani Antonio Cimmino,
Greg Kramer,
Alex Ivanovici,
Kelly Craig,
Eli Snyder,
Tyler Neitzel,
Tim Connolly,
Marie-Julie Rivest,
Sébastian St Germain,
Arthur Holden,
Michael Sinelnikoff,
Dennis St. John,
Neil Napier,
Dylan Scott Smith,
Maurizio Terrazzano,
Robert Paradis,
Kwasi Songui,
Alexandra Beaton,
Frédéric Smith,
Loucas Minchillo,
Nicholas Minchillo,
David J. Francis,
James Bradford,
Andrew Shaver,
Robin Wilcock,
Kent McQuaid,
Marcel Jeannin,
Jere Gillis,
Jeremy Thibodeau,
Tyrone Benskin,
Robert Maillet,
Patrick Sabongui,
Leon Laderach,
David Lapommeray,
Vervi Mauricio,
Charles Papasoff,
Isabelle Champeau,
Veronique-Natale Szalankiewicz,
Maeva Nadon,
David Thibodeau,
David Schaap,
Jean-Michel Pare,
Stuart Myiow,
Andréanne Ross,
Sara Giacalone,
Ariadne Bourbonniere,
Isabelle Fournel,
Sandrine Mérette-Attiow,
Elisabeth Etienne,
Danielle Hubbard,
Ruan Vibegaard,
Geneviéve Guilbault,
Bonnie Mak,
Amélie Sorel,
Caroline Aspirot,
Gina Gagnon,
Tania Trudell,
Stephanie Aubry,
Mercedes Leggett,
Stéphania Gambarova,
Chanelle Lamothe,
Sabrina-Jasmine Guilbault,
Manny Cortez Tuazon,
Cindy,
Atif Siddiqi,
Camille Rizkallah,
Trudi Hanley,
Neon Cobran,
Gary A. Hecker
Director:
Zack Snyder
Genre:
Action,
Drama,
Fantasy,
War
Release Date:
March 9, 2007
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
Michael Gordon,
Zack Snyder
DVD Release Date:
July 31, 2007
Runtime:
116 minutes
Studio:
Warner Bros. Pictures,
Village Roadshow Pictures,
Legendary Pictures
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