The glory that is Greece

Rating: 8/10 (7 March 2007)

It's probably been told more than enough by now but "300" is a wild visual feast that should appeal to anyone who knows what they're in for. Adapted by director Zack Snyder from Frank Miller's graphic novel about The Battle of Thermopylae, the movie's a frenetic composite of stylish atmospherics, larger-than-life characters with equivocal motives, and brash - even poetic - dialog. Anyone who's found pleasure in Robert Rodriguez' cinematic translation of Miller's "Sin City" and Snyder's reworking of George Romero's "Dawn of the Dead" will most likely find this an incredible visual interpretation for the testosterone-driven. It's bombarded with habitual skepticism and extraordinary bloodbath, but all that works to the film's advantage eventually.
"300" tells the story of the Spartan King Leonidas (Gerald Butler) and his 300 men who dealt a massive blow to the numerically superior army of Persian King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) before coming to their demise. From a narrative standpoint, there's nothing much as Snyder and the screenwriters favor the mythology of the context more than factual accuracy. Style triumphs over substance, so to speak, and here characterization and nuance are thrown off the window. As such, it should be pointed out that this is not a movie for everyone, but if you're one who gets a kick out of action and atmosphere, then this is one to enamor.
It's basically turgid film-making that achieves what it's set to do, because from a technical standpoint, "300" is a regal buffet, filled with the sort of desaturated colors blended with blue screen background that lends to the film's ethereal look, capturing the look of its source material and giving the film its energetic pace that rarely pauses for a break once it gains momentum. "300" is a movie about valor and heroism and it raises an angry crimson atmosphere that matches well with its epic theme.
All of the actors, none of them big-name stars, do a pretty good job and seem to be at home with their portrayals even if they aren't required much to stretch their thespic skills with hardly fleshed-out characters. Nevertheless, as the king and leader of the Spartan army, Butler gives a passionate and forceful performance that conjures a credible character. Dominic West and David Wenham are the more familiar faces in the members of the Spartan army but both depict their roles subtly in such a way they blend seamlessly with the rest of the warriors. Lena Heady as Leonidas' wife provides a strong feminine balance to Butler's vigorousness.
"300" obviously has its sights on audiences weaned on extravagant visuals and visceral thirst. Honestly, there's a feeling that it could have been more but Snyder seems content not to go anywhere near Rodriguez' tier as he simply promotes the technical over the dramatic aspects of the film. But given the epicurean eye candy in this lush production, it's really not necessary to ask for something more than an unabashed spectacle.