Epic War Fantasy

Rating: 7/10 (17 March 2007)

300 (2006): Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro, Vincent Regan, Dominic West, David Wenham, Andrew Pleavin, Michael Fassbender, Andrew Tiernan, Tom Wisdom, Giovani Cimmino, Greg Kramer, Alex Ivanovici, Stephen McHattie, Kelly Craig, Eli Snyder, Tyler Max Neitzel, Tim Connolly, Marie Julie Rivest, Neil Napier, Robert Paradis, Peter Mensah, Sebastian St. Germain, Frederic Smith, Tom Rack, James Bradford, David Francis, Marcel Jeannin, Andrew Shaver, Jere Gillis, Jeremy Thibodeau, Tyrone Benskin, Patrick Sabongui, Vervi Mauricio, Leon Laderach, Charles Papasoff, Jean Michel Pare, Isabelle Fournel, Ariadne Bourbonniere, Amelie Sorel, Caroline Aspirot, Neon Cobran, Deke Richards. Director Zack Snyder....Screenplay Zack Snyder, Michael Gordon, Kurt Johnstad.
Director Zack Snyder's "300" may appear to breaking new ground as far as cinema, but in truth it owes its current popularity and box-office success to similar "ancient times/war dramas" as Wolfgang Petersen's "Troy" and even "Gladiator". It is somewhat new stuff, however, in the fact it's superior, brilliant cinematography is strongly influenced by the comic book/graphic novel by Frank Miller, and even this is nothing new to film. "Sin City" was also based on a graphic novel. It may be that the look of the film and its style, which is also dependent on computer graphics, is the only thing that makes this film a winner. Otherwise, it's the prototypical war drama about an oppressed people who fight to the death against their oppressors. Gerard Butler, best known for portraying the Phantom of the Opera in Joel Schumacher's 2004 film, dons a new mask - that of the warrior king Leonidas of Sparta. Gerard Butler's performance is amazingly intense, nuanced, human and soulful. This is so far his greatest role. He committed himself to building the Sparton warrior body as well as spirit. Nonetheless, one can also argue that his powerful voice, raised in anger or triumph, is the key to his strength in this film. Funny to think this same "voice" was also essential to his Phantom role. We follow the last stage of his life as he takes 300 of his men to fight against the threatening advances of the Persian armies of King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro). Lena Headey portrays his loyal and headstrong wife, the Queen. She, too, delivers a fine performance. But despite the talented cast of principals, the script suffers of melodrama and overuse of narration. The narrator voice is heard throughout the film to the point of excess, but one supposes this is to keep the spirit of the comic book alive on film. The use of some sharply dark comedy, especially in the dialog, is fine but also appears too unrealistic. In fact, this film does not presume to be a history lesson. The Frank Miller comic is pure historical fantasy. We see the small 300 fighting against enormous armies and monsters, none of it being true to the actual battle of Thermopolae. In this respect, 300 could even owe its success to war fantasies like Lord of the Rings. So, here's the bottom line. This film is good, not great and you'll love it if you enjoy war dramas with an extra punch of violence. Keep in mind this is a movie for adults and rated R for violence, nudity and graphic sex. The costumes by Michael Wilkinson remain faithful to the comic book and are impressive, though it's also in keeping with fantasy, like when we see Xerxes first entering the scene in a huge metallic platform with staircase. The music by Tyler Bates does not make up it's mind whether it's powerful orchestra and chorus or modern music with dissonant chords and elements of rock music. But the biggest winner is the cinematography by Larry Fong, a combination of The Matrix and Sin City. The plot is easy to follow (it's not based on a James Joyce novel or anything) and the film has an overall feel-goodness, root for the good guy kinda mood. The ending is powerfully dramatic and ultimately heroic-tragic, but it also happens without warning because there is no evidence that the Spartans are going to meet a tragic end, having been undefeated. It is also a movie that often feels rushed and we don't quite feel for any of the characters. I loved this film only because of Gerard Butler's magnificent performance and the inspirational new look.