300

Posted by Loukas Tsouknidas (loukas@filmschoolrejects.com) on February 28, 2007

300 While Alan Moore’s comic tales are deliberately unfilmable, which has been proven by the directors who tried, Frank Miller’s epics like 300 always seemed to have a cinematic feel to them. Robert Rodriguez did it with Sin City, perfectly transferring Miller’s aesthetics from paper to the screen. I’m really glad to say that Zach Snyder continued the legacy with success. Despite it’s natural flaws, 300 is the eye candy of the year.

It’s the worldwide known story of Leonidas (Gerard Butler), King of Sparta, and his no-guts-no-glory suicide defense against one of the largest armies the ancient world witnessed, the Persians of King-God Xerxes. Told by a soldier who survived as a messenger for the people back home, this is a timeless war epic, not a cliche but the story that gave birth to every heroic battle cliche from then on. It’s not historically accurate, more like a tall tale based on the mythology that arouse from the facts.

Snyder followed thoroughly Frank Miller and Lynn Varley’s steps, keeping the atmosphere, pallete, and most visuals from the graphic novel in tact. Whatever he added, never feels foreign and his respect for Miller’s work is always there. Sometimes you can see the panels come alive. CGI is of course top notch although it’s still a bit unreal. That is what makes it difficult for people who aren’t familiar with comic book aesthetics to relate to this kind of visual delight.

Acting is good, although Gerard Butler’s Leonidas and Dominic West’s Theron both have a lisp. I wonder if it’s from all the broken teeth one gets during basic training or â€œagogeâ€. Plus, shouting when not in battle could be perceived as overreacting. Details, details, details. They all do great work and Rodrigo Santoro seems right as the queer Xerxes, a man stripped out of everything masculine after leading a hedonistic and lush lifestyle as his. Two thumbs up for Lena Heady, the extra attractive, personality driven Queen Gorgo.

Art direction is right on spot as expected and music connects the epic past with the present’s worshiping of it. Metal was a great choice since ancient myths are frequently praised in that genre’s concept albums.

I should speak no more cause I’m a Greek dude and a sucker for wartime heroics and male predominant sexist comic book culture.

I’ll just say that Snyder recently got connected with the dead-end task of filming Alan Moore’s Watchmen. If he blows it, the momentum he gained from this one with the fan crowd could be long gone in a flash. Good luck to him.

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Dorothy McMillan

Loukas Tsouknidas has to be kidding when he said "although Gerard Butler's Leonidas and Dominic West's Theron both have a lisp" I don't know about West but Gerard Butler DOES NOT HAVE A LISP. He does have a Scottish burr which Zack wanted him to use rather than trying for a different accent. Gerard does some pretty fantastic accents but his natural delightful burr is what he does best. And it doesn't sound at all like a lisp. I've seen numerous scenes from this film and there is no trace of a lisp anywhere.
You owe Mr. Butler an apology or else you need to get your ears checked.
Dotty McMillan Riverside, California

Loukas

Scottish burr? He is supposed to be Greek.

When he shouts "Sparta" the "S" is clearly hissing.

Don't get so Ssss-erious about it!

Linda Hyatt

I am very nuch looking forward to this film , mainly because of Gerard Butler ! To say he has a " lisp " is so wrong ! he is Scottish , thats it , no lisp .... doesn't have one ! That was very upsetting to hear ..... I have read all the reviews , this is a first ... He has a great accent ... I hope this movie makes it big !!!!! Other than that .. good review ! Thank you , Linda Hyatt .. LosAlamitos Ca.

Loukas

Ok, i guess u both know more about your own language's different accents.

To my Greek ears it sounded funny, much like a lisp; which is human, that's why his work is still good.

But let's get one thing straight. This is not a movie you get acting credentials from. This is a movie to simply make a name for yourself.

Any hack can tell the actors to strike poses and shout like they are on an ancient stage or in a shakespearean play or in daytime sope tv. But that's like taking the acting away from them.

The actors here have to be adequate in their schematic, simplistic parts to move the equally simple plot forward and let us enjoy the visuals, the battles and the weirdness.

Plus, this is the house that Frank Miller built. It's all about his million fans, waiting for his visuals to come to life, much as in Sin City. You don't play with commercial giants like that.

It's just that sin city was more about individuals, not armies or larger than life clashes. That's why it needed more commercially established names, be it tough guys or street hussies.

So, 300 is a great movie for the purpose it was supposed to serve in the first place. Not cinematic masterpiece, not spawned by a creative jeanious, not an once in a million experience.

Nothing to take too seriously.

Linda Hyatt

AND SO , HOPEFULLY THIS MOVIE WILL FINALLY PUT GERARD ON THE MAP FOR ALL HIS GREAT ACTING IN THE PAST THAT HE NEVER GOT ANY RECOGNITION FOR , AND THAT IS WHY I AM TAKING IT SO SERIOUSLY !

Loukas

Good luck to Gerard then.

Now, where are the Dominic West fans?

300

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