The First Great Piece of Trash for 2007!

Rating: 1/10 (9 March 2007)

The director of 300 said he took inspiration from 20th Century-Fox's earlier movie "The 300 Spartains" --- sure he did, just like the crack hounds in Amsterdam "took inspiration" from Rembrandt and spray painted graffiti all over the sidewalks and trees outside the Rijksmuseum. One way you can distinguish gourmet food from overripe garbage is by the smell, and I think Warner Bros reinvented AromaRama with the creation of "300." The story of how 300 Spartains stood against thousands of Persian troops at Thermopalye is one of the greatest stories in history. Not since the creation of Adam had there ever been such a story. Untold even in the original (and excellent) film is the degree to which the bravery of the Spartains set in motion the defeat of Persia. You see, of the thousands who invaded Greece, less than a dozen ever returned to Persia --- delivering the news of their overwhelming defeat.
"300" has reduced this glorious moment to a comic book mess, with stupid looking computer generated monsters fighting the battle rather than real men, with real blood, real fears, real consequence. Hence the filmmakers have carved the heart out of the story just as Buffy cut the heart out of her beloved vampire lover Angel.
The 300 Spartains deserve better. Moviegoers deserve what they get if they pay their money to patronize and support the reeking trash called "300." PS: "The 300 Spartains" is available on DVD. You can rent it from Netflix and elsewhere, or buy it for about $10.