Stylized, adrenaline-filled awesomeness

Rating: 8/10 (31 March 2007)

Given that this was made so soon after Sin City, one cannot deny the possibility that a reason for making it was the popularity and widespread success of the aforementioned film. Both are based on comics of Frank Miller's... both are bloody, and packed with adrenaline and style. However, regardless of what may or may not have been in the minds of the producers, this movie is entertaining and fulfilling. Whilst not as well-rounded and perfectly executed as Sin City, it has plenty of action, cool shots and intensity to go around. I have not read the original comic book, so I cannot comment on how well this tells the story that Miller(*not* the historians; don't make the mistake of confusing this film for an actual account of events!) intended, but I can say that it pulls off the comic book feel pretty darn well. The visuals are simply stunning, and the movie is filled, just about to the very brink, with gorgeous designs and camera-work that amazes. The many boxes of text found in most comic books are translated to the medium of film with a narrator, and it works remarkably well. I was worried early on that the narrator would remain for all of the film... but I found it to not only mesh with the visuals but improve the overall experience. The music is part orchestrated score, and all fits exceptionally well. The pacing was flawless. The acting I found to be masterful for just about every part. The dialog varies, but the majority is good. The grandiose speeches and the serious tone of them is lightened pleasantly through occasional wit. The battles are massive, bad-ass and often quite bloody(though there was less gore than I had expected... but I didn't mind). I would guess that big parts of the audience are comprised of people coming mainly for the battles, and I would say that most will leave the theater satisfied. The sequences of fighting are long, stylized, well-choreographed and wickedly cool. I found the rest of the movie to be interesting and engaging, and I wouldn't say that the fights are too long. One thing I really liked, and that got the movie and Frank Miller my respect, was the way the Spartan women were depicted: Strong, passionate and as full of courage and fortitude as the men. Whether or not this is historically accurate, I don't know, but that Miller and the movie would depict women that way is something I can only support and encourage. The movie was not perfect, however; some shots were less spectacular than they could or should have been, and the last battle was perhaps a little disappointing. Still, this is a movie that I urge anyone who enjoys action, macho-ism and comic book style to watch. I strongly recommend this to any fan of comic books and any man into action. 8/10