Isn't It Ironic?

Rating: 9/10 (11 March 2007)

Good things happen when there are good actors in the main roles. It took several weeks before I changed my mind about even considering going to see this film. The preview just didn't seem to draw me because of its look, and yet, I'm glad I saw it. Ironically, of all the "period pieces" we've been getting lately, this is the one that works the best. Unlike "Alexander" and "Troy", the portrayal of the hero is flawless and quite believable. Here is a military genius, whose hubris, along with other excellent qualifications anchor the film in a more believable way than Farrell or Pitt could. Butler's king is more than a grunt or a figure head. He is a man who truly believes in his mission, is determined to take to its inevitable conclusion, regardless of whatever unsurmountable obstacle might be on the way. It doesn't help that the cast looks terrific, and everyone of the soldiers appears capable of handling the superhuman expectations the audience and Leonidas has of them. This time, even the fact that we know the adaptation is based on a graphic novel, is not a problem. Maybe it even fulfills the audience's wish when the illustrations come alive in a satisfying manner. For example, with the help of the production team, and some interesting editing and camera work, the soldiers look both real and fantastic. Their physiques, obviously, the result of some interesting collaboration, help us almost believe that we are seeing an epic battle.
"300" benefits from having a very strong female supporting character. As Leonidas' queen, Lena Headley, is both royal and strong, the type that we rarely see in period pieces. She deserves her rank and is a powerful figure in her own circles, with definite and decisive say on her husband's decisions. She is supportive, sexy, and intelligent, and she manages to steal a few of her scenes. Connie Nielsen came close in "Gladiator", but the writers didn't give her enough material to explore the possibility of her character being more than eye candy.
Finally, here is a film that evokes a long gone era, a period where real men fought in an almost feral way to protect what they thought was worth defending. Losing the character of Butler at the end is not something to bemoan. He goes in a very dramatic and sensational way, and who says that he can't be brought back. He is a superhero of sorts, a man who lives for posterity through history, legend, and a touch of marvel.