Cinematical

Saw the film last night at a midnight show and while I am definitely no historian, I must assume that this film is about as accurate a historical representation of the actual battle of Thermopylae as those ninja turtles are accurate historical representations of renaisance-era artists.

Even if you ignore the obvious stretches, the film is still pretty wildly one-sided, glamorizing being a single-minded, violent Caucasian warrior with a deathwish. I wonder if we'll ever see a movie from the Persian point of view. Or even--here's an idea--a *balanced* view!

Sorry, I'm raining on parades here. I'll shut up now.

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its nice to see a reviewer that actually gets it. im sick of erik davis and that james guy bashing 300 because it isn't an incredible philosophical masterpiece. its based on a comic book. we don't hold other comic book movies to the same standard that this one is being held to by the critics. thank you patricia for having a brain and thank you also for being willing to have fun when you go to see a movie. its a shocking concept, i know. i wish more would see it that way.

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1) 300
2) Wild Hogs
3) Zodiac
4) Ghost Rider
5) The Number 23

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Saw 300 at a preview....and it was everything a Gerry Butler fan could wish for. I ran right out and got the action figure.....and started pilates class again.

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I just returned from seeing 300. What a commanding performance Gerry gave as King Leonidas. I could hardly take my eyes off of him. He was strong, loving, caring, violent and honorable as was Lena Headley as Queen Gorgo! What a wonderful, compatible pair they were.....perfect together! I thought it was almost like a beautiful ballet! I'm a woman and the blood did not bother me all....it was all part of it. The IMAX theater was sold out for this performance and was for the rest of the day and evening. There was almost equal men/women in attendance! I certainly recommend this movie!

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This is truly THE don't miss movie of anyone's lifetime. I caught one of the midnight showings this morning and was blown back into my seat by the total experience. EVERYTHING is done to the edge of being done without pushing too far. Rapture. Pure, delicious rapture. Gerard Butler's name better be on the lips of everyone who steps out of the theater after experiencing this. He MAKES the movie what it is; his eyes relay the humanity of this story in every way possible.

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This is truly THE don't miss movie of anyone's lifetime. I caught one of the midnight showings this morning and was blown back into my seat by the total experience. EVERYTHING is done to the edge without pushing too far. Rapture. Pure, delicious rapture. Gerard Butler's name better be on the lips of everyone who steps out of the theater after experiencing this. He MAKES the movie what it is; his eyes relay the humanity of this story in every way possible.

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My Predictions:
1)300
2)Wild Hogs
3)Zodiac
4)Ghost Rider
5)Bridge to Terebithia

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Here are my predictions:
1. 300
2. Wild Hogs
3. Zodiac
4. Ghost Rider
5. Bridge to Terabithia
6. The Ultimate Gift
7. Music & Lyrics
8. Number 23
9. Norbit
10. The Host

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I saw 300 today at the noon performance and was surprised at the amount of people who attended for a Friday afternoon. Needless to say, I too was blown away by the film. Very, very good! I loved the use of the "fake" blood instead of the real thing. The visuals were exceptional, and Gerry.....well, there is only one thing to say there ------ Gorgeous!!!

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I hit the first IMAX showing today and while I was there early so was every one else. A sold old house and it reminded me of that rare movie like the original Star Wars where people are in line talking to each other and excited to be there. And at the end people stood and clapped. Amazing. The movie completely rocked and it was everything testosterone every told us we could be and everything we ever dreamed to do. A great 'movie' - not like ThePete wishing for a History Channel depiction (which was on last night by the way) all balanced and informative and slathered with liberal guilt for god knows what, but a great movie. It must be sad looking at life and entertainment and movies through all that liberal guilt. If you know you will hate this kind of show don't go see it. If you saw the previews and thought it might be good then you won't be disappointed. It's great. Good luck getting a seat this weekend though.

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1. 300
2. Wild Hogs
3. Zodiac
4. Ghost Rider
5. Bridge to Terabithia

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1. 300
2. Wild Hogs
3. Zodiac
4. Bridge to Terabithia
5. Ghost Rider

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I saw 300 at a sold out Imax today at 11:00am. The movie was awsome. A real cinematic masterpiece. I can't wait to see it again. I am a 60 yr old woman who didn't even notice the 2 hours fly by.

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Hey guys, it's Bubba8193! It's pretty easy this weekend...

1)300
2)Wild Hogs
3)Zodiac
4)Ghost Rider
5)Bridge To Terabithia

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What we have to remember, and what everyone involved with the movie has said over and over again, is that this movie is not supposed to be historically accurate. It's supposed to be based off a graphic novel. That is what is fueling most of the bad reviews this amazing movie is getting. I've seen it twice thus far, with a third showing coming up tonight, and have found myself on the edge of my seat each time.

I look at it two ways; both as a fan and as a film student. The fan is continually applauding the effects and acting (which, with the exception of some of the supporting actors, was incredible) while the film student is looking at it in a slightly different light:

The editors of this movie have truely created something that's a first of its kind. Unlike Sin City, You could almost find yourself lost and not really caring under the burnt sienna sky and in the rich wheat fields surrounding Sparta. The world Snyder creates is so colorful and rich you have a hard time trying to decide what to look at, beyond Gerry Butler's UNBELIEVEABLY ripped body moving in slow motion. (Why would you want to look beyond that anyway? Oh? What was I saying?)
Mr. Snyder and his team have created something truely amazing that may have some people whispering (dare we say it? Oscars for technical achievments?) With the exception of a few minor things, visually, it's almost perfect.

A long time fan of Gerard "Gerry" Butler, I praise his work any chance I get. You would find yourself hard pressed to find a better actor in his age range, in my opinion. But no matter how amazing his performance was (watch his eyes; the emotions you see in them will blow you away) he can only do so much with the script he is given, and I find the script this movie's one weak spot. As a writer, I look for character development, and I want to care for these characters. but with the exception of Leonidas, Gorgo, and brief moments for possibly three other characters, you don't really care for anyone else.

but aside from that, this movie is definately a must see at the theatre. Don't go expecting a deep story line, but go expecting to be thrown back to a time where men were MEN and the words 'honor' and 'duty' still had meanings that no one messed around with lightly. Go for something that's unlike anything else you've ever seen or witnessed before. Go for the battles that were in a word: AMAZING. Wonderfully choreographed, they can only be described as a ballet of blood and spears with hacked limbs and pints of blood flying in every direction. Private Ryan move over, you've just been ousted from your throne of top goreness in a movie.

But most of all, go for the movie that can't really be called a movie, but an experience.

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300
WILD HOGS
ZODIAC
GHOST RIDER
BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA

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I saw the first IMAX screening yesterday, and must say I too was blown away. The movie is totally awesome, super-cool and ultra-sleek. VERY entertaining. The theater was fully packed. When I walked out of the room there were already people lining up for the next screening.

As for the historical accuracy, I haven't been reading too much of the reviews so I am not really aware of how the film has been bashed. BUT, despite having read a bit about the Battle of Thermopylae before seeing the film, I went into the movie theater knowing that the movie is based on a graphic novel (which at that time I hadn't read). The film actually got me interested in that part of the Greek history (it's bloody and violent, but truly fascinating!).

Frankly, if I were a film critic, I would have based my review on how accurate the film depicts the original graphic novel, rather than how much the film upholds historical accuracy (even though I usually see the graphic novels from their film adaptations as separate entities not necessarily related).

All in all, I think what's important is that the movie "300" is very entertaining. (Isn't that what movie going is all about? To be entertained and maybe be inspired?) I had fun and enjoyed the movie, and plan to see another IMAX screening. "300" is the sort of film that has to be seen on a super big screen with surround sound. =)

ps. The soundtrack is tragically beautiful. Love it.

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Cate,

Nice to read a movie analysis that isn't an accusatory socio/political diatribe but actually celebrates the movie. Which reminds me that I forgot to say that Scott's previous review of 300 is great since it sticks to the movie. I agree that this is a movie that is an event and that you need to see in the theater. I've seen it once and will go again this week. I love the way it was put together, I love the visual imagery and the way it's edited and how the idea of powerful images from the graphic novel/comics artwork is being translated to the moving pictures. There have always been powerful images in the movies but graphic novel artwork has to create a powerful impression in far fewer images. It's an evolving art form that you can see get better movie by movie. (IMO)

As for the character development, I don't know. I think it's done about as well as it can be in this type of movie. It will be interesting to see if they have scenes cut from the movie on the dvd to see if they were thinking the same thing you were thinking. I'm so glad the movie lived up to the buildup for a change.

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What 99% of Americans will miss is the connection to Iraq and Iran today. Persians are Iranians, Iranians are not Arabs, they are Persians. Persia invaded, and occupied, present day Iraq many times over hundreds of years; Iraq and Iran had a bloody 8 year war in the 80's. Currently Iranian agents and members of the Iranian secret police, military intelligence, etc are infiltrated throughout the Iraqi government, and are supplying weapons, explosives and training to Shiite militias. Iranians (Persians) are Shiites. The majority of the muslim world is Sunni.

Now watch the movie and think about these connections and past wars between Iraq and Iran:

Virtually every Iraqi who sees this movie, and they will; it will show up over there within a week or two
on pirated DVD's;
virtually every Iraqi will connect the invading Persians in this movie to the invading trouble-making Persians of today.

This is a good thing; why? Because Iran IS causing at least half of the killings and bombings in the country in an effort to destabilize the situation as they want to control Iraq; again. Iran also wants us to leave; that will make it easier for them to control the final composition of the Iraqi government.

Think about the current war next time you see the movie.

This is very good psyops; for our side.

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