In case you were wondering if you have had the complete 300 experience, you haven't. At least not until now with Warner Brothers proclaiming this new release to be "The Complete Experience." This comes on the heels of the single-disk DVD, two-disk special edition DVD, three-disk box set, the HD-DVD, and the original Blu-ray release.
Wow. That certainly is a lot of different releases in a pretty short period of time. I feel fairly certain we'll get another release of some sort before they are done with this film. In a way it sort of feels like Anchor Bay and their perpetual Army of Darkness releases (how many is it now? I've lost count). I will not believe we have reached the end until we get a release that includes Frank Miller's graphic novel, which is not included here — perhaps a motion comic version like what they did with Watchmen?
The movie is definitely something special, although it is certainly not for everyone's taste. In the few years since its release it has garnered its fair share of supporters and detractors, but no matter who you ask, everyone has an opinion. Personally, I love the film, evidenced by its sixth place finish on my Top Ten list for 2007. It is big, exciting, emotional, filled with adrenaline, violent, bloody, and very, very stylized.
300 could very well be the next step in cinema style, the gorgeous union of live action and computer-generated surroundings. It is not the first film made in this style, but it is the first one to be an unabashed popular success. Zack Snyder has delivered a visionary film that will grab you by the eye sockets and demand your full attention for two hours. On the flip side, it will also not be the last. Filmmakers have mastered the art of the narrative story; others have mastered the art of showing a story in a visually inventive way, however it is very rare that they come together in one nicely wrapped-up package. This is the first step in that direction, and it is my belief the future will move away from the standard dramas and such that litter the landscape (as good as they are) and we will see the merging of technology and story.
This story is what myth and legend are made of. It is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel which is not, nor was it meant to be, an historical document. If you think you will be seeing a true historical epic, you will be disappointed and possibly even offended by the oft times cartoonish portrayals. There may be some elements of fact blended into the fiction, but it is not the other way around.
Article comments
1 - Robert M. Barga
This was one of the worst films I have ever seen and I can not believe that you actually liked it
2 - Chris Beaumont
Oh I like it all right and will continue to do so!
One of the worst you've ever seen? Wow, you must do a better job of not seeing bad movies than I do.... :)
3 - Robert M. Barga
The thing is, the movie was predictable, not well done off of the books, and really pointless. Also, I dont really like seeing fit guys running around almost naked
sure, the greenscreen work was amazing, but that isnt much of a movie
oh, and i do avoid most movies that i think will be bad, for that reason