Very good looking, very funny, very well done

Rating: 8/10 (19 April 2007)

It's curious to state so, but it seems that Frank Miller is going to set himself deep in the heart of Hollywood.
Sin City was good, 300 is even better, and they both are brought to the big screen straightly from the comics pages. 300, in special, couldn't even be called an adaptation, once that it begins, develops and ends exactly in the same way as in the comic book (except for some slight differences made to get it closer to a conventional movie, such as the Captain/Son part, and the Queen Gorgo plot), even repeating the quotes line by line, in many occasions.
In my point of view, it's a interesting point, that makes it distinct from other movies that work upon the same kind of material (such as Troy and Alexander). It changes the pace, changes the attitude and thrills the viewer (except for those too familiar with the comic book). It also relieves the audience from the more common "true" historical approach in favor of the adventure.
Once the usual historical description of the battle in the "Thermopillas" is almost certainly exaggerated by the Greek storytellers, I can't see nothing wrong about shooting the movie in a stylized way, as it's not a documentary.
The direction by Zack Snyder is remarkable, original and very inventive, no matter the way you analyze it. The cinematography is beautiful, and the costumes and sets are stunning. The use of grotesque elements along with the action is also something to be mentioned, as it provides a great impact on screen and help building up the intended dream-like (or nightmarish) feel that the movie contains.
By the way, the movie is not totally perfect, by standard evaluation, as the all-time over the top background reflects in the acting, that sound somewhat exaggerated in many times. I wouldn't say the acting is bad - not at all - it's just too different from the standards by which we comment on it. The actors behave more like an Opera cast, consciously boosting the dramatic feel of the scenes, in a way opposed to the usual "real life" approach we are familiar in movie-making. Nevertheless, I can't think of a better approach for the interpretation.
The one point I think was a bad step was the Xerxes voice. I see no reason for it to be dubbed the way it was. It felt nothing like the voice of the characters interpretor. It just felt like dubbed... Didn't like it.
Except for that, I can't think of a low point about this movie.
It may be epic, filled of action and good looking, these are undeniable qualities! But many films achieved it before. The greatest quality for this movie is the innovative feel, the new and effective approach to Greek-rooted historical material. If it was just another epic, you could pass it, the way it was done, it's the first real must see of this year.
So, go for it!