An outstanding piece of art

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2007)

My thoughts.
I went into the movie with huge expectations, I've been waiting for this since it started production last year.
So did it meet them?
The visuals absolutely met my expectations. In fact, the whole post production side of things is just as good as anything your going to see.
The CGI/effects are obviously the main attraction to this film ( but not in a "dude, explosion.....cooool" kinda way :) ). They've managed to create this whole world in which EVERY SINGLE frame of film could be a piece of art. It really is breathtaking and unlike anything else.
The battle scenes are of course top notch, the editing is superb. They used the slow motion technique in a lot of the scenes in such a way that the sense of power behind every strike is just phenomenal. You can really feel it! The choreography and ideas are excellent of course, its not just hack and slash.
The music is generally well tailored to the films atmosphere, again the battle scenes in particular. I like the approach Tyler bates took, using electric guitars heavily blended with the usual epic style movie score. There are a few scenes where i found it a touch overbearing though.
So its 10/10 for that side of the production.
Im not really sure what to say about the screenplay. Its based on Frank millers graphic novel which is loose historic account of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480BC. I like the story, and it does work to some extent. I just cant help feeling like we were given a snapshot of events (of the film, not the actual historic event).
It felt too short and too distant to evoke any kind of real emotions or attachment. The pacing was frankly too quick considering the nature of film.
However, i don't think it was perhaps possible to achieve any of this considering the nature of the Spartens and how they have to be portrayed. They are meant to be cold warriors who are born and raised to fight. I don't see how its possible to create any scenes were you properly dive into character identities and backgrounds. It would just turn into a complete contradicting mess of a film.
So taking that into account i think they did a pretty good job with a difficult story to put to film effectively.
I also thought the dialogue was patchy, in some cases it was excellent. In more places it wasn't.
I thought the acting was pretty good in general, in particular Gerald Butler in the main role was excellent. Pretty much perfect casting for that role!
So what does it come down to? This film for me is more like a piece of art than a piece of drama. Its truly breathtaking and without doubt one of the most instantly memorable films created.
However, if you go in expecting a moving dramatisation of a historical event you will no doubt be disappointed. Frankly, if you do that you shouldn't have the right to complain.
The bad reviews this film gets from some places are extremely unfair. Yes its all subject to each individual, but you cannot deny what a significant piece of film making this is.
Its films like this that push the boundary's and open people up to new ideas.