Robert's Review

Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" is the tour de force retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, which took place in 480 B.C. The God-King of Persia, Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) had assembled the world's largest army of its time with total forces numbering in the millions. Set on world conquest, Xerxes invaded Greece and set off a chain of events that would lead to his downfall and the destruction of his massive army. The King of Sparta, King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) would not submit Sparta to Xerxes' rule and even killed Xerxes' messengers that were dispatched to Sparta. King Leonidas, like all Spartan men, was well trained in the art of combat and taught never to retreat or surrender, that death on the battlefield was the greatest glory a man could achieve in his lifetime. Unlike Xerxes' army (which was mostly slaves) the Spartans were a free people who fought to protect their freedom and way of life. It was they who helped to establish the world's first true democracy. King Leonidas wanted to send the entire Spartan army against Xerxes, but by Spartan law he was unable to. Having consulted the Oracle, he'd been told there would be no war during the Carnea (a Spartan festival) and nobody (not even a king) is above the law and must honor the Oracle's words. Knowing that waiting to engage Xerxes' army would result in the destruction of Sparta, King Leonidas took a contingent of 300 Spartan soldiers as his "personal bodyguards" (so he wasn't breaking the law) and headed north to engage Xerxes' army – each soldier knowing full-well that they were going to their deaths. With their superior fighting skills, bravery and courage, they managed to cause serious casualties among Xerxes' army and their actions inspired Sparta and the rest of Greece to rally the full force of their armies and annihilate Xerxes' forces. 

I'm actually in awe of "300." I've seen it twice already and I can't wait to go again. Frank Miller (of "Sin City" fame) and director Zack Snyder (of "Dawn of the Dead" fame) have created a visual masterpiece with a very compelling (and seemingly historically accurate) story. "300" is presented in a true storybook fashion and has a narrator from beginning to end who explains everything as it happens, allowing moviegoers to focus on the amazing visuals while still learning the context behind what's happening. I personally think doing it that way worked quite well. I'm certainly no history buff and I wasn't too familiar with the Battle of Thermopylae, so presenting the plot in a storybook fashion really helped me to understand the conflict much better. There will be moviegoers, however, who'll dislike "300" for this reason. "300" is definitely not a "thinking man's" movie since everything is explained to you in detail while you focus on the visuals. 

The costume designs, special effects and battle scenes in "300" are unparalleled. In most epic movies (like "Lord of the Rings" for example) the CGI animation for the epic battle scenes normally focuses on the combatants from far away, primarily because the level of detail just isn't there and if those animated combatants were shown close-up, they would look terrible. In "300," however, the epic battles are shown from very close-up (often in slow motion) allowing you to see all the gory details – limbs getting hacked off, blood spurting everywhere and people getting mangled by wounds from spears and swords. The level of detail is simply exquisite. There are several long scenes where the camera doesn't jump around at all (no cut-away scenes) and the amount of pure carnage that ensues in those single fluid scenes is simply astounding. I'm still mind-boggled at how complex and detailed the carnage is. 

What makes "300" even better is the unexpected wit and humor in the script. There were several side-splittingly funny scenes that had the entire audience laughing together. Plus there are several serious scenes that had the entire audience cheering wildly in their seats during (yes DURING) the movie! That is no small feat for any movie. Last, but certainly not least, I want to recognize Gerard Butler. He seemed born to play King Leonidas and delivered a tour de force performance that will surely be recognized at next year's movie awards. 

All in all, I'd give this movie 5 STARS (out of 5). Re-watch value: HIGH

March has us off to a great start with "300" leading the pack as the best movie of the year so far.  Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" this is the story about the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC.  An alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian army in the mountain pass of Thermopylae. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the enemy in one of the most famous last stands in history.  Persian King Xerxes lead an Army  to Greece that numbered in the millions and was confronted by 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians and other Slave soldiers.  Xerxes waited for 10 days for King Leonidas to surrender or withdraw, finally left with no options he moved.  The battle lasted for about 3 days and after which all 300 Spartans were killed.  The Spartan defeat was faster than expected when a local shepherd named Ephialtes defected to the Persians and informed Xerxes of a separate path through Thermopylae, which the Persians could use to outflank the Greeks.  The battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world's first democracy. 

This is better than "Sin City" by far. The cinematography is outstanding and the story is very engrossing.  As someone who likes history, I found this movie mostly accurate and very thought provoking.  The story, the acting and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.  I must say one of the best parts of this movie was the soundtrack, it was absolutely mind-blowing.  However there is one thing this movie overdid and that was the slow motion scenes. It didn't go too far overboard with them, but it did have several and they did start to become repetitive.  Other than that it was by far the best movie I have seen this year! 

Overall Rating: 5 Star (out of 5). Re-Watch Value: High (not only will I see it again in the theatre, I will purchase on DVD). 

Trivia: Both of these lines were in the movie... 

1 - Despite their extremely disproportionate numbers, Greek morale was high. Herodotus writes that when Dienekes, a Spartan soldier, was informed that Persian arrows would be so numerous as "to blot out the sun", he remarked with characteristically laconic prose, "So much the better, we shall fight in the shade." Today, Dienekes's phrase is the motto of the Greek 20th Armored Division. 

2 - Xerxes asked Leonidas more forcefully to surrender their arms. To this Leonidas gave his noted answer: "Come take them!" This quote has been repeated by many later generals and politicians in order to express an army's or nation's determination to not surrender without a battle. Today, it is the emblem of the Greek First Army Corps.

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