Damn! What a film!

Rating: 10/10 (13 April 2007)

So my dad and I were bored the day after Easter and when we get to the movies '300' was the only thing starting within the next hour...so we thought 'What the hell! If it sucks, we can always leave!' Needless to say it didn't suck...and we certainly didn't leave.
The story is simple enough...the Persians are invading Greece and top of their hit list is Sparta, where all the men wear tiny little leather underpants and are ripped like pro-wrestlers. Seriously hot! So, the Persians, under the command of the self proclaimed 'God-king' Xerxes (a creepily effeminate Rodrigo Santoro) send a particularly arrogant messenger to try and talk the King of Sparta, King Leonidas (the ever gorgeous Gerard Butler) into surrendering without a fight. First mistake. And the second is a whopper...the guy offends the King's wife, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headly). So Leo gets cranky and kicks em down a well! As you do.
What ensues is 117 minutes of unadulterated violence and machismo...and its stunning! Butler as King Leo is a force to be reckoned with, his gruff voice, fierce looks and ridiculously defined pecks making him every inch the graphic novel hero. Vincent Regan (Achilles attendant in Troy, yep, that's where you recognize him from) is Leo's right hand man as Captain, a tempered voice of reason, who also brings his son...as he says 'He is my oldest, I have others.' Gorgeous Aussie David Wenham is Dilios, and his sultry tones narrate the tale in parts, providing background for those of us not familiar with the original text. Dominic West turns in a particularly slimy appearance as Theron, a Spartan politician who want Leo out on his gorgeous and incredibly muscular backside!
The casting is magnificent, the story fast-paced and exiting and the visual effects mark a new era in film making. Without a doubt the most visually stunning film I have ever seen, and when you consider it was filmed almost entirely against a blue screen and the only scene that was filmed on location is within the first 10 minutes, the awe factor goes up several notches.
Well worth your money, but not for the faint hearted as there is plenty of violence and blood to be had. But if that doesn't worry you, you're in for a treat!