Prepare for Glory

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2007)

300 is an epic movie along the lines of Braveheart, Gladiator, or even any of the Lord of the Rings films except on steroids. It offers what Sin City (also written by Frank Miller) offered: blood, broads, and battle.
Don't go in expecting a historically accurate depiction of the events that transpired at the Battle of Thermopylae lead by King Leonidis. This is a history movie for action buffs.
Set around 480 B.C., 300 tells the tale of King Leonidis' (Gerard Butler) fight against an entire Persian army (lead by King Xerxes, played by Rodrigo Santoro). This isn't an ordinary battle it's 300 Spartans against thousands of Persians. With his faithful Captain (Vincent Regan), the strong Dilios (David Wenham), and the sometimes arrogant Stelios (Michael Fassbender), it is evident that this is no ordinary army. The Spartans are a breed of mankind born to be warriors. They've been trained since the day they learned to walk to be ruthless and fierce soldiers.
I'm sure everyone already knows that it's a big war movie of sorts, but why are they going to war? The conflict begins when a Persian messenger is sent to speak with Leonidis and the beautiful Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey). He offers them peace through means of submission to the Persian king. "Earth and water." This doesn't settle well with Leonidis as he handles the situation accordingly.
Leonidis wishes to put Sparta at war with the Persians, but it doesn't settle well with the Spartan council, mainly Theron (Dominic West) who has an agenda of his own. Against the wishes of the council, Leonidis ventures out with 300 of Sparta's best men to confront the Persians. While they're away, the Queen faces conflict with Theron and the council, wishing to send reinforcements to aid the 300.
The film is visually arresting - kudos to Zack Snyder (fingers crossed for Watchmen). Astounding effects and gorgeous scenery (all CGI) make for some of the most breathtaking images in modern cinema. The slightly saturated look of the film is very welcome. The soundtrack was quite impressive, amazing choral selections as well as brutal percussion fit the mood of each scene (however, isn't the "Moaning Woman" a bit overdone?). The acting was fine for this type of movie, certainly not Academy worthy, but not detracting from the experience.
But you don't see the film for the acting. You see it for the action, and it's top notch. Brutal at times, yet very flowing, almost like a dance. There was one particular sequence which I found supremely badass in which the Captain's son and Stelios do this awesome thing back to back, playing off each other and kicking butt along the way. Very very cool.
The Queen's subplot adds some political intrigue, but really offers nothing needed to the overall narrative of the film. My only gripe with the film would have to be that it wasn't long enough, falling short of two hours. But that's really minute.
300 brings new meaning to the word "epic." The grandeur of the film makes for one enjoyable ride.