Blatant Propaganda?

Rating: 7/10 (7 April 2007)

300 is a visually stunning and graphically violent comic book style depiction of the ill-fated battle between the freedom-loving, politically enlightened Spartans and the evil-hearted, morally bankrupt Persian Empire. Hmmm, why does that sound familiar? I cannot decide if this film is blatant pro-war propaganda or simply illustrates the fact that history (such as is recorded by the victors) is doomed to repeat itself.
The parallels to the present day war on terror are difficult to ignore. Despite the overwhelming congressional sentiment against engagement, (not to mention the illegality highlighted by the "corrupt" legislative body), King Leonidas takes his meager Spartan guard, along with a small contingent of supportive (albeit militarily inferior) democratic allies, to battle the hordes of heathen invaders led by the deliciously wicked god-king Xerxes. The Spartans fight valiantly against the odds, but are ultimately defeated at the hands of a traitor (a traitor who had been betrayed by Leonidas himself, mind you). Only then does the rest of civilization take up the fight against world domination and join the crusade for liberty.
I mentioned this to my husband after the movie and he said "Huh?" thus illustrating the fact that 300 may be enjoyed on many levels. If you are not a fan of political conspiracy, then you may still be fully entertained by multiple decapitations, fountains of animated slow-motion blood spatters, and a vast array of perverted human deformities  not to mention some of THE best nipples this side of Vivid Studios. And for the ladies, there is no shortage of grunting scantily clad manly men sporting six packs where beer guts frequently reside.
Ultimately, I cannot help but wonder why this was not released in the US first???