Can a bloody, violent film based on a graphic novel be art? Ladies and gentlemen, I submit to you that it can be. 300, the second of Frank Miller’s works to be given the big screen treatment, is cinematic art at its finest. Poetic, operatic, graceful (thanks Kat)…300 is a relentless ballet of passion and pain; blood and the brutality of ancient warfare dancing gloriously across the screen.
It is safe to say that 300 has been the movie I have been most looking forward to in 2007. With Spiderman 3 coming out later this year, that statement may be close to comic book geek blasphemy. I cannot help it. My anticipation and expectation for 300 was set alight by a combination of admiration for the film Sin City and the marvelous trailer, a work of art in its own right. My only fear was that the trailer would be prove to be more dramatic than the actual film. The reality is that the trailer is mere table scraps compared to the feast for the eyes, and ears, and mind that is 300.
The story is best summed up in this line from the website:
300 is a ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army.
One of the first things I had to do after the film was to look up some information on the historical background of the film. Provided you have seen the movie, or don’t care about spoilers, I suggest this brief summary of the Battle of Thermopylae for a start. Despite the cinematic wonder of 300, which I will get to in a moment, it is my belief that this historical foundation is what gives the film weight and depth. Films such as this which portray the depths of sacrifice given by those who have come before us to protect a concept called freedom resonate deeply with me. The fact that 300 is a visual masterpiece only amplifies the message. I mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: 300 is relentless. The battle scenes, romance, political intrigue, all of it…relentless. The suspense builds from moment to moment, scene to scene, and the quiet moments of the film only serve to heighten the anticipation for the next intense battle. I left the theatre breathless.
300, as directed by Zach Snyder and filmed by Larry Fong, is a wonder to behold. From start to finish, the experience is more akin to a well choreographed musical than a film about war. Each frame of the film is a small, yet vital, brushstroke in the overall masterpiece. There is not a wasted moment in the hour and fifty-seven minutes of screen time. 300 is shot as beautifully as the epic films of a bygone era and is married with the kind of technology that makes for a wholly unique theatrical experience. Really, all I need to say about the way this film looks is, ‘Wow!’. Much like a good painting, the scenes in 300 flow into one another. There is a grace and elegance of movement in each scene that elevates the film to artistic status. This is not a film of violence for the sake of violence, it is a symphony of sight and sound orchestrated to reveal both the glory and the sacrifice of a free people wishing to remain free.
The cast for this film is stellar. Gerard Butler (sporting the coolest cinematic beard since Charleton Heston in The Ten Commandments), is larger than life as King Leonidas. Seething and roaring some of the best one-liners I have heard in a long time, he is a commanding presence on the screen. Lena Headey is both beautiful and powerful as Queen Gorgo. Her performance radiates both strength and grace. David Wenham, as Dilios, does his best work since portraying Faramir in Lord of the Rings. Dominic West, as Theron, is perfectly treacherous. The list goes on and on. I particularly enjoyed the spectacular leaping performance of Michael Fassbender as Stelios and the unrecognizable Rodrigo Santoro (he was Karl in Love Actually! Unbelievable!) as the god-king Xerxes. The casting director should win an award for this one. Fantastic all the way around.
300 is a film that begs to be seen on the big screen. The sound is incredible, the special effects are magical. The scene of the ships being tossed about in the sea as King Leonidas and his men watch from above is alone worth the price of admission. It will be hard to top this experience in the coming year. 300 is a breathtaking spectacle of film making. The poster says:
I beg to differ! I highly recommend that you see it, again and again.
I’m really looking forward to this. So many varying opinions on it. Glad you liked it.
I’m so jealous! I’m going to see it this week. Can’t wait! Sounds just as good as I expected.
Maybe, you’ve already looked it up Carl, but Lena Headey was in the Brothers Grimm and the great tv movie Merlin. It was really bugging me last night where I had seen her.
You’re the first reviewer I have seen who hasn’t talked about how hot Gerry Butler is in this movie! Of course, you are also the first male who has reviewed it that I have seen ! *grin*
Yes, Marg. I thought Lena Headey was hot, and although I appreciate Butler’s…and everyone else’s…tight abs and am jealous for a similar physique, it didn’t quite have the same effect on me as it did with the ladies who were in my party.
I looked it up right away, Cameron, it was bugging me too. It was really nice to visit with Kat last night, so glad you both could come.
Look forward to your thoughts on this Fence and Chris once you’ve seen it.
I was lucky enough to see 300 last night too and it exceeded my expectations. I have read the comics that this based on on they did an incredible job of translating his work to screen. It is on par with Sin City as far as direct translations of specific comic panels and the coloring of the pages. Truely a wonderful adaptation of the source material by Hollywood which is so very rare. My wife and I also can’t wait to see it again hopefully in IMAX the next time. Keri and I also loved all the great compnay last night. Hopefully we can all get together in May for Spider-Man 3. Hopefully we can get more the wives and Mike and Abbey along for that one too.
It was a great time everyone!
Cameron and Kat, it was a pleasure to get to meet you. I look forward to seeing you both again.
I still don’t have any desire to see this.. but maybe an edited-for-tv version. LOL
300, like Sin City before it, proves just how good a movie can be when it is faithful to its source material. Why it has taken so long for the “Hollywood execs” to figure this out is a mystery. If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.
Cannot WAIT to see this one.
Man this was “…one wild night”. I cannot stop thinking about this movie. On the way home James talked nonstop about Sin City about how cool it was so I don’t have to see it now, but I’m telling you NOTHING has reached into my inner wild at heart side like this movie. Now I loved and revere Braveheart and Gladiator, but compared to 300 they are simple storytelling. Carl hit it right on when he describes this as art. It is like looking at a piece of fine art that takes you 2 hours to discover all it’s depth. This movie hit me on so many different emotional levels that I felt like microwaved butter at the end. The whole night was a pleasure with a tasty dinner with some cool new friends (Cameron, Kat, Keri it was great to meet you!). Love to do this again!
I have been suspicious of anything with Frank Miller’s involvement since…that THING that he did…to Batman. I am still cross with him for that. Still, it looks a very stylish film.
RB, are you telling me you haven’t seen Sin City? Oh, for shame! 😉 300 and SC are two of the most entertaining and stylish films I’ve seen over the past several years. Good stuff. As long as you’re okay with a healthy dose of violence, that is.
Glad everyone had fun Saturday night, it was a very good time all the way around.
For those interested, 300 made a bunch of money over the weekend. 70 million! Highest March opening ever and third highest opening for a rated ‘R’ film. I’m thrilled!
After all this talk, I may see it yet!
Okay…wow. I really had no desire to see this movie, except for the fact that Gerard Butler was in it, but you have completely convinced me…completely.
I must see this movie!!! (And not just because of Mr. Butler’s pecs.)
Colleen…you get to see Mr. Butler’s booty too! 😉
Oooh, really????
Holy cow, where’s the movietickets.com link????????
What a great review, Carl. I wasn’t sure if I wnted to see it, but I certainly do now. Butler said it was a history lesson, so they must have done the story accurately. I hate it when they mess with historical facts.
Thought that might help with your decision, Colleen! 😉
I read the link with the summary of the history that I posted here after I saw the movie and I do believe they did a very good job of keeping close to both the source material of Frank Miller’s graphic novel and the historical facts.
We’re in – I had been wavering on seeing this on the big screen, but this review does it for me!
I had no desire to see this movie until I read your comments and then the responses you got after posting your comments – now I think I may just have to go see it!
Carl, as was once said about Bill Byson “Walk In The Woods,” you could make dryer lint interesting. Seriously, you take films that not only don’t intrigue me, they repel me, and make them sound compelling. I can’t imagine myself sitting in front of a violent cartoon, but I do appreciate reading your thoughts. And, about not posting much? It’s nice of you to take the time to come around and comment as you do. The best to you in your job; I hope you get a Spring Break!
Went and saw it again with the wife on Saturday. It moved me just as deeply, but Karen was not impressed. She wasn’t grossed out or anything, just a little bored. She in no way considered it a challenge to Gladiator. Oh well, I loved it even more and am going to see it next Saturday with a couple of guy friends who haven’t seen it yet.
Cool, can’t wait to see it!
Gladiator is an amazing film, but 300 kicks its ass. Glad she went with you Tom. I really want to see it at least one more time before it leaves the theatre.
I love greek myths so I went there in a heartbeat! but holy crap i was soooo DISSATISFIED with the movie… IT WAS A COMPLETE JOKE! didnt make sense at all….so full of shit…esp for a serious movie..tsk tsk…i’d ask anyone to refrain from watching it
the poster up there is right ” YOU WILL NOT ENJOY THIS”…..and there were too many mistakes…for eg persians were not dark skinned at that time…the jewellery worn by the persian “god king” isnt persian either and has to relevnce with persian stuff……and Leonaides is a DECENDANT OF HERCULES…so doesnt make him too much motral-ish either ….. ah too much crap to take! lol!