stunning, awesome, brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (23 March 2007)

300 vs 1,000,000? No contest! Zack Snyder, who gave us the impressive Dawn Of The Dead remake, has turned out possibly the best movie of 2007 so far.
300 based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley (which I've not read), is simple stunning. The use of the same green screen technique used on Sin City, is brilliant. The action sequences are all impressive, specially with the little touches of slow motion at points to show the Spartan fighting style. If I have a complaint about them, it's that they lack the epic scale of the the battles in say, The Lord Of The Rings trilogy (Helms Deep or Pelinor Fields for example).
The movie that most springs to mind actually is Zulu. Again, it's a small number vs a large army, but the one difference which lets down 300 slightly, is that you only really get to know a couple of characters, whereas in Zulu, for example, it takes time to get to know more of the men before and during the battle.
However, the actors are all good, but credit has got to go to Gerard Butler as Leonidas. He has the difficult task of not only looking like he is one of the hardest men on the planet, but also the conviction to play the King of his people, and the leader of his men. He does so convincingly. I think he could have launched himself into the A-list with his performance.
I've read that Zack Snyder's next movie may be an adaption of the graphic novel The Watchmen. Based on this, and using the same technique on green screen, he may be the man to pull it off.
For now though, simply sit back in awe and watch the first blockbuster of the year.
Pirates 3 and Spider-man 3? Come and have a go if you think you're tough enough. Based on this, I doubt it!!