Great visuals, lots of action, and handsome men

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2011)

An epic drama inspired by the events of the Battle of the Thermopile, in which 300 Spartan soldiers fought to death against the overwhelming power of the Persian troops.
I enjoyed the film immensely. I loved the comic aesthetics of the film, the intensity of the war scenes, and male 6-pack and thighs! Wooo Hoooo! :D There are many gory scenes, which I usually I don't like, but in this case they beautifully put together in the fighting scenes, and reflect well the dramatic intensity of the story. The 6-packs also help to digest them better :D I confess, though, that, I couldn't stand some of them. Too harsh for me.
The depiction of the Spartan society was, although modernized and softened, quite good, a reflection of the severity of the Greek city-state and its people.
The soundtrack is great and alternates powerful rock tracks used during the fighting with others of beautiful lyricism to match personal and romantic scenes. Actually the music reminded me of Gladiator's OST.
I also liked the sex scenes, which were made with eroticism and class.
The worst thing about film is that the dialogs are poor, and that the real story is turned into a bunch of Manichean actions and people - right and wrong, heroes and tyrants, black and white, freedom and slavery, struggle for freedom and peace by using violence and war. Does it sound familiar? Of course it does. That's a quintessential Hollywood theme to justify war and violence in most movies.
It also caught my attention the fact that to distinguish some Greek people from others, the actors speak in English and Scottish accent. I found that shocking. They were Greeks! If we depart from the premise that their speaking in English is a cinematographic license, we can still leave the other people speak in English without any accent. The viewer will understand.
It is an enjoyable film, perfect for men and women. Full of action and hot men. What else do you want?!