Much ado nothing

Rating: 1/10 (19 May 2007)

I really don't know what's with the big fuss about this movie. The plot is weak, the characters aren't developed, and the whole point seems to be blood, guts&gore. It's quite obvious that they didn't take too much trouble being historically accurate, the description of the spartan society being shallow at the most. Not to mention that the Persians are NOT Africans... they are known for being a blond and fair-skinned people. The title and the promos hinted to a movie about heroic deeds and charismatic leaders, instead I had to face almost two hours of blood spurted all over the screen and too many moments when I thought I accidentally hit the "pause" button. What is it with that anyway? Cinema is about moving pictures, not an endless amount of screen shots... The computer generated effects are over-abused, the sepia coloring is fine at the beginning, but afterwards it's just an eyesore. The acting is very bad, the characters have that bleak and brainwashed look in their eyes. We get it that they're soldiers, they don't have to have that rabid animal look in their eyes all the time. Oh yes...and what's that talk about "Greece"??? There was no Greece as a country at that time... Bottom line: if you want to see a cheaply disguised patriotic propaganda to support war, go see this movie; if you want quality cinema, say "pass".