bad movie/guy movie

Rating: 5/10 (15 February 2007)

My movie fan brain tells me that this is not a good movie, in particular the dialogs and the casting (not the actors performances). In fact, this movie's flaws were Sin City's strenghts. I even called the film crap. But the guy in me loved it. In fact, it's the perfect testosterone movie: Greek warriors making homophobic comments to hide their own tendencies; considering diplomacy as a sign of cowardice; swords/spears/limbs and liters of blood; back stabbing politics; beautiful women; sex; rough sex; mindless yelling; cheap virile philosophy; cheap emotional speeches (us against the world); hiding feelings; fighting through pain (even a "Monty Python Holy Grail black knight" scene); dramatic score with a metal score for the battles (more manly). Shall I go on? In fact, the real achievement of this movie lies in it's visual effects (the CGI staff is from Québec). It's essentially CGI - comic style - but it's impressive. It is visually compelling to watch. I'm willing to bet 20$ that as soon as this movie is released in the US, "for Sparta", etc., will become the summer catch phrase and millions of guys (hmm, hopefully essentially teens) will redefine their notion of manliness and virility.