Please read the cartoon first!

Rating: 10/10 (17 April 2007)

I watched 300 in a row after the "original" that inspired Frank Miller and reading the cartoon at the same evening. I can only recommend this to anyone approaching this movie without being a special fan of Frank Miller's works. In the follow-up, 300 - apart from undoubtedly being simply fascinating from a technical point of view- was also outstandingly enjoyable as a great cartoon adaptation.
The heading I gave this comment is due to the fact that in case you do not read the comic beforehand, I do not believe that much of the story and the atmosphere is going to be understandable or likable.
My only objection is that Lena Headey is so lame as sole female character that it hurts, really. The scene where she performs her speech before the elders, the speech that is meant to come from a queen, a wife and mother worried to death is so unconvincing that I considered the speed button.(Her role could be disputed as well, but the role is not the problem.) Otherwise, the cast is brilliant. I especially liked that this movie did not try to sell itself with big names but took advantage of real good actors instead.
This movie keeps you excited and holding your breath all along which I think shows its values best considering the fact that the ending is really no surprise to anybody at all.