Fighting good, stuff added on not good.

Rating: 5/10 (17 August 2007)

This is a challenging work to review because there are actually four different issues: 1. historical accuracy, 2. faithfulness to the source material (the 1999 graphic novel by Frank Miller) 3. the overall quality of the film, done largely in CGI, 4. and of course, entertainment, the universal requisite.
This is going to take some time, and I won't even try to avoid spoilers. Okay...
1. Historical accuracy: I have to give a big thumbs-down on this. The various other Greek factions that made the stand at Thermopylae aren't mentioned at all, the rigors of Spartan training are glossed over (we're missing at least two scenes from the novel which really drive this home), and not only isn't there anywhere near enough emphasis given to the Ephors, they're completely forgotten once the stupid tacked-on council subplot begins. I'm not expecting the History Channel, but taking this many liberties was disappointing.
2. Faithfulness to the source material: SOME of it is spot-on, particularly the costuming, locations, and overall feel of bloody melee. On the other hand, there were some...creative additions that I found pointless or just plain dumb (that Goro-from-Mortal-Kombat-esquire Immortal, portraying the Immortals as weird mutants, that sword-armed executioner...*ugh*), and the stupid tacked-on council subplot was just unforgivable.
3. Overall quality: This is where 300 shines. I'm still amazed by how perfectly it captured the essence of a relentless horde of warriors taking on a small, brave band; the opening charge alone is priceless. About the only thing I didn't like was the overuse of CGI blood, resulting in blood flying everywhere but not a single drop staining the ground; now *that* was just plain weird. Nonetheless, this is a film to be looked at an awed by, and in that regard it was a total success.
As for entertainment...
Liked: - The feel of the battle. Relentless. Chaotic. Bloody. Vicious. Horrific. Everything a massive clash of swords and spears should be.

Costuming and set design; no effort or expense spared here. Really impressed by Ephialtes' grotesque body and Xerxes' mobile throne.

The choreography of the fighting. Amazing to watch, yet manages to avoid Xena-esquire corniness.

All the little touches, especially the scenes of the free Spartan city. You truly understand why the Spartans would value freedom and defend it to the death.

Disliked: - The stupid tacked-on council subplot, complete with stupid tacked-on politician (don't remember the name; I'll just call him "Gratuitus"). Horrible, stupid, worthless idea. It's astonishing that, in a movie that's about war and fighting and dying, we'd need some cheesy courtroom drama.

The gross inflation of the queen's role, which takes up ONE PAGE in the novel (because, y'know, she doesn't *fight*, which is kinda important). There is a time and place for feminist revisionism, and this was not it.

The complete downplaying of the Ephors' role. In the novel, *they* were the ones who tried to sell out Sparta to Xerxes, it was *their* edict that prevented the Spartan army from mobilizing, forcing Leonidas to fight with a paltry 300, and in fact, they symbolize everything that's wrong with the old ways of thinking. Here, they're seen briefly and promptly lost in the council subplot.

The needless overcomplication of the opening scene with the messengers (very simple and to the point in the novel), the death of the Captain's son (who's not named or identified in the novel...and the blood rage was all of two panels), and Ephialtes meeting with Xerxes in the tent (and anytime a hack-and-slash war movie needs *fanservice*, you know it's a sign of desperation). Imagine the time wasted on all this that could be used for...say, some more background on Ephialtes, who played a kinda important role in the whole battle.

Daxos, who's turned into a complete *moron*. ("Duh, where'd all deze ships come from? Cuz I saw doze other ships crash, an' dey can't have dat many ships, can dey?") I know capturing the subtlety of someone eager to fight but with less zeal than a Spartan isn't the easiest task, but come ON.

Yeah, Leonidas is a loudmouth. I mean, I expect him to be forceful and all, but there's just *too* much shouting where it shouldn't be. ("THIS...IS...SPARTAAAAA!!!!")

Sex. I don't care how "tastefully done" it is, it's just an annoying distraction here (and more unnecessary screen time for the queen).

Politicizing. *Completely unforgivable*. "Freedom isn't free, so anyone who speaks out against war is at best a coward, at worst a traitor in secret, of which many examples of Gratuitus can be seen even now..." Gag me with a pamula.

So, in summary...well, read the summary line. No more or less that what you should expect from Hollywood.