simple, loud, gory - and maybe important nonetheless

Rating: 7/10 (23 March 2007)

Not much subtlety here. I thought the references to "modern" concepts and polities was a bit obvious- but you know what? This movie is aimed at young men and you have to be a bit obvious (two-by-four across the head?) to get through to most of them so I can't really fault the approach. You have to know your audience and use the most appropriate avenue. It still works for what I think it was intended to be. In the current age of non-heroes, relativism and selfishness, the story of self-sacrifice is still very powerful and perhaps even more needed.
Visually great, even if it was stylized to the point of distraction. Mostly special effects shots. Makes Gladiator look like a history PhD thesis for accuracy (and it wasn't). So what?
Gorier than it need to be ("sets a new standard" which the next film will have to exceed. Ugh.) and anybody that takes an 6 year old to this film should be smacked. Sex, almost-rape, nudity, decapitations, mutilations, etc. Everything you don't want kids to see unless you are... well nevermind no need to be rude. Not as actually disturbing as something like Pulp Fiction or Sin City, maybe because of the setting and context for the violence.
The culmination? It was a major conflict between east and west in the ancient world with real impact. Something like this did happen and it is worthy of attention. If it gets young adults to realize that maybe the modern world with our western culture and all the (implied) benefits thereof hasn't sprung from nowhere well then GREAT, and overlook the technical inaccuracies. Not that the Spartans were role models, really. Probably won't be viewed in such a light by most however, perhaps it will intrigue some just enough. And maybe that's just wishful thinking of a middle-aged history buff who likes to think we enjoy a better existence and live in a better world thanks to western culture and ideals (compared to what most of the alternatives would have been). Feel free to disagree, I know many will. And hopefully this film will irritate you silly. Good.
It is likely to become a cult classic and have a following for awhile either way. Enjoy it for what it is or steer clear.