This is where we hold them! This is where we fight! This is where they die!

Rating: 9/10 (2 July 2008)

300 is based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller about the Battle of Thermopylae. It is not a factual account but I like to think of it as the fun fantasy version of the battle.
The film is about a great act of bravery, about soldiers knowing that they were going to die in the battle, no matter what happened.
The plot of the film is that the Persian Empire is looking to expand and looks toward Greece to do this. The Greek states, including Sparta and Athens refuse to do this and prepare for war. Unforuately for the Spartans they can go to work without the Oracle's say so and the priests who control her were being bride by the Persians. King Leonidas (Gerald Butler) does the only think he can do and do to war with his personal bodyguard of 300 soldiers. On the way they join up with other Greek troops and go off to battle, seeing the atrocities of the Persian army on the way. At the time there is politicking going on in Sparta to try and get the whole army involved in the war. One factor is led up Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) who is trying to convict the Sparta council to back the King, whilst the evil Theron (Dominic Wood) said that Leonidas is breaking the law and should be tried for treason. Theron is also bribed by the Persians.
What makes this film great is the visuals. The battle scenes were really well done and Zack Synder shows that he is a good visual director. The film was done in a sightly washed off look (similer to Letters of Iwo Jima) and shot in the same style as Sin City (Frank Miller also wrote those graphic novels). The film goes to extremes, it is violence and it shows monsters in the battle such as giants, rhinos, elephants and deformed men in the elite part of the Persian army (the Immoratals). The film also has some great ready made one liners like 'This is Sparta' and 'This will not be over quickly, you will not enjoy this, I am not your king'. Some critics have criticised the film for it being a right-wing fantasy and look for political meanings, some have criticised the actor but I think it is fine, it was heavily criticised by the Iranian government and for having a homo-erotic context (a fun part of the Times review was that it makes no attempt to hide its homo-erotic content).
It is a cross between Sin City, Gladitor and Lord of the Rings. I say sit back and enjoy the ride.