What to say about a move that I have been waiting so long for? I was satisfied!300 is based on Frank Miller's retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae. The basic info - the Xerxes I is attempting to conquer Greece. Leonidas, King of Sparta (Gerard Butler), wants to send a force but is opposed by the laws of the Sparta and the Oracle's advice. He decides to take a force of 300 soldiers to stop the Persian force over ONE MILLION SOLDIERS from entering mainland Greece by blocking a small passage, the Hot Gates (lit. Thermopylae). Meanwhile, his queen (Lena Headey) is trying to convince the council back home to send a larger force.
Yes, the movie was very stylised. Yes, things looked damn fake. Yes, the movie showed the Persians as a band of freaks. But you know what? It's based on Frank Miller told a the Greek perspective. Of course it's stylised and the opposing force is displayed as monsters! If you wanted an accurate re-telling, go read Herodotus' Histories. Really. It's a good yarn. But for lovers of fighting, such as myself, I was perfectly happy!
As you can see, the visuals are magnificent. As just like how Miller drew them, the men are magnificent. Such abdominal definition - whew! *fanning myself* The Spartan force was just a crazy huge bunch of guys. Sure, their acting's not particularly convincing - I'm not sure why Butler chose to give Leonidas a scots accent but hey *shrug* I'm cool with that. The plot may be called disappointing by some, but if the ending was changed, I soooooooo would have been pissed off! Thermopylae is a great turning tide battle in history! Changing the end would be like if the Carthaginians won the Punic Wars or if Wellington lost Waterloo!
This movie's not for everyone, but it is bloody awesome! As Linda's said in her verbal review "Hot abs, hot bodies, lil' bit of soft porn...go see it!"
7/10
(picture from rottentomatoes.com)
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