Go tell the Spartans they suck

Rating: 1/10 (7 March 2014)

It is not surprising that this film gave rise to a large number of spoofs. It is indeed very spoof-worthy being itself at times close to being unintentionally funny although this is mitigated by the endless scenes of sadistically horrifying but unrealistic violence. Lots of slow-mo beheadings but not a great deal of blood spurting.
300 is based on a comic book (sorry I mean 'graphic novel', this is meant to be taken seriously) and it shows. Not that I have anything against comic books or adaptations of them but on the strength of this one (I've not read the original) it must have been bad indeed. A lack of historical accuracy and one dimensional characters betray the superficiality of the source. These are men who scorn armour in battle (unlike the real and more sensible Spartans) choosing instead to stride about in loin cloths and capes showing off their buff physiques. While the 300 are physically perfect it is troubling that their opponents are shown as being deformed or ugly. Equally troubling is why the Persians are shown as being black. This film (and its source comic?) is pushing a race purity line.
Perhaps I would be more troubled by it if I could take it seriously. In addition to the superficial source material, the director has added some gimmicky MTV-style effects himself. Endless slow-mo shots, some sexual titillation and an odd use of martial arts for ancient Greece. The whole thing is shot is an affected sepia shade.
In short, this is rubbish.