amazing action, lousy drama

Rating: 6/10 (5 April 2007)

The Battle of Thermopylae, might be one of the greatest battles in history. Three-hundred Spartans defending against the quarter million strong Persion army under the command of Xerxes. Frank Miller's graphic novel 300, fictionalises this point of history into a surrealistic manner, while increasing the Persion army stronghold to one million. Making a mark with the Dawn of the Dead remake, Zack Snyder adapts 300 in a Gladiator meets Sin City.
Snyder is loyal to Miller's novel, staying true to the bronze soaked visuals and going as far as lining up blood splatters from the novel. Visually 300 triumphs effortlessly, with lush computer generated backdrops and an odd beauty within all the blood shedding. Visually engulfing 300 may be, a deep lack of drama and substance hinder 300 from Synder's aspirations. Men of the most extreme, the Spartans are the baddest of the bad, with 300 constantly wearing this badge of manhood on its sleeve, but makes the error of mistaking this badge as a shield. Grand standing and posturing with each man pelting out the loudest voice is all emotional deft when these are men of action, not ones to emote. Strangely scenes turn awkward the moment any one shows any emotional side. David Wenham's narration of Dilios recount, falters on every aspect, mainly on Wenham's lack of commanding voice and over emphasis to dramatise every moment; along with Synder trying to jam Epic! down your throat from point dot.
For the lack of substance 300 holds, the battles sequences are among the greatest place on celluloid. Firing on all pistons, fueled by extreme levels of testosterone, adrenaline and fierce intensity, Synder's directional skills excel with awe inspiring onslaughts and choreography among the blood thirst, which in effect glosses over any short coming the drama creates. Characterisations are kept minimal, there's no time to flesh anyone out (there's enough flesh on display anyway), when there's people to kill, though with this lack of dimension to play on, Gerard Butler cuts to the forefront. Showing Leonidas as a man with ideals and convictions, ripping out the odd quip, while slaying man after man on the field. Butler makes the most of broadly drawn Leonidas, the rest of the cast falls short. David Wenham's shortness of presence and story telling escape him. Dominic West's Theron, playing behind the scenes with his own schemes overly exaggerates. Rodrigo Santoro's Xerxes is all glam. As the only touch of femininity, Lena Headey rises above most as Queen Gorgo.
Visually stunning and battle sequences of the highest caliber, 300 on the surface is capturing and belligerent, the drama is too shallow in the depth department.