Visual masterpiece, below average movie

Rating: 2/10 (2 September 2012)

Visually, this movie looks great. If you remember this is based on a graphic novel and not history, you can get by the monsters, lack of body armor etc.
As a movie this really doesn't produce. The characters are one-dimensional. They aren't real enough to care about. This feels more like a feature length cartoon than major motion picture. I also had to laugh at Leonidas talking about freedom and standing against tyrants. The Spartans had whole tribes under their thumbs as slaves (Helots) and Leonidas' title can be interpreted as tyrant. As a history buff I have major problems with the story but that's why I say to remember it's based on a graphic novel.
The movie is stunning to look at. Snyder's movies all look great but most (excepting The Watchmen) have little in the way of character development or a full-fledged story.
As to why the Spartans don't wear armor, I guess it's so Snyder can give the ladies a little beefcake to watch and forget about the story.