Not since Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhastan has watching a movie made me snort and chuckle as much as Zack Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel about the Battle of Thermopylae. I imagine Zack Snyder as a director who, showing up on set at 6:30 am with his venti latte in hand, started filming 300 with, “We need more lip gloss and body glitter for Xerxes!” And that’s what 300 is — a lip gloss film if ever there was one. It’s the equivalent of Showgirls for male audiences.
So if you’re wondering if you can live through the rest of the year 2007 without seeing this movie let me just ease your mind with the fact that whatever hype you've heard about the stylistic phantasmagoria of 300 is seriously overrated. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not here to burst anyone’s bubble about Frank Miller. I am not worthy of touching Mr. Miller’s dirty socks.
And though I might not a big connoisseur of graphic novels, like some of our readers, I did really enjoy Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City. That film was a witty piece of neo film noir that supported his graphic novel’s dark themes of paranoia and violence. He populated his world with great anti-heroes and femme fatale characters whose campy overacting added a layer of comic book authenticity, which was only possible because the script was strong and the characters were well developed. Even the cinematography was inventive and purposeful. Miller and Rodriguez used color like punctuation marks, elevating the emotional impact of certain actions (like the woman's eyes flashing blue at the beginning; or the slinky red dress, the flash of bright white blood); but in 300, the desaturated high contrast film style has been around for a while. It was made famous by such little-known films as Lord of the Rings and The Matrix, to name a few.
So what made this film style so unique? Was it the gore, the blood? The menagerie of wild zoo animals? It certainly wasn’t the backgrounds. Sure the wheat field was pretty. But much of the film felt enclosed as if it were shot on some cheesy set. When they fought on the battlefield defending the Hot Gates and looking towards the massive Persian army, I kept wondering if somewhere out there Captain Kirk was waiting in the wings to get his Star Trek set back.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - gan
Everyone seems to be surprised by how well this movie is doing, and yet the reason is so clear:
'300' is about achieving glory and victory in war no matter how impossible it may appear to do, and no matter how high the odds are against it. In short, it is a fantasy that we Americans are desperately yearning to experience at this particular moment, as one very real fact has become unavoidably clear and final: the war in Iraq has been totally, and unconditionally lost. The denial is so thick in this country, you would need a battle axe to cut through it. The American National Ego, a collective identity based upon our self image of unquestioned superiority over all other nations and peoples, has been eviscerated in Iraq, torn to pieces by a smaller, underequipped, yet strategically superior guerilla force. Unable to grapple with this fact, and by doing so re-direct our foreign policy based upon a sober, if painful asessment of the facts, we instead, escape into our fantasies. An ostrich may bury it's head in the sand, but US consumers simply go to the movies.
2 - Nik
Hey, I didn't see 300 reasons in there. Rip-off! ;)
3 - Anne
Gan -
If you'd like more information related to how Zack Snyder manipulated the historical facts of the battle of Thermopylae, check out this link from the Toronto Star, written by Ephraim Lytle, the assistant professor of Hellenistic history at the University of Toronto, and what he views as the 'selective idealization' of Spartan society. I think you might find it interesting. Best, Anne
Sparta? No. This is Madness.
4 - Phillip Winn
"It’s the equivalent of Showgirls for male audiences."
I thought Showgirls was for male audiences?
5 - Ralph
I liked pretty much everything about the movie: the cinematography, the slow-mo, the wheat fields, the stoic characters: all very comic book like but with the extra passion that comes with motion. I'll see it again, and I'll the DVD when it comes out. Yes, so Xerxes was depicted as a fey bald drag queen with a face designed for displaying fish hooks. So what. The movie has heart to spare - maybe that's what I like so much about it, along with the fact that the cast makes me want to take my lazy butt to the gym. And a $70 opening weekend makes me think I'm not alone.
6 - Alisha Karabinus
That's exactly the response I was coming to make, Phillip.
300 misses no mark. It's adapted from a highly stylized graphic novel... was Snyder supposed to make a completely different film? While that can also work, it's always been my feeling that the best movies stick pretty closely to the original work, particularly when one is discussing graphic novels. V for Vendetta is a good example. The movie, while entertaining, falls far short of the original because of the imprint of an overriding love affair it tries to force onto the film. There, the creating team (director and screenwriters) did miss the mark, though the film doesn't really fail. 300 is an adaptation more in the vein of something like The Virgin Suicides. Individual scenes look exactly like those on the page (though of course, in Eugenides' novel, those images were shaped with text, not pictures). Certainly additions were made to help the story translate to the screen, but it captures the feeling and in some panels, the EXACT images of the original. It's a love song to the original work while being also a good adaptation. Maybe it's not to your taste, but 300 does not miss its mark.
300 and Sin City are done in vastly different styles. To compare the two as you do above is what seems off here. Sin City used color as emphasis because that is the way it was done in the graphic novel, and they had Miller himself there to lay that down. 300, however, was a larger-than-life story about the legend that has sprung up around an actual battle. It's the story of the 300 most amazing soldiers ever born of woman. Just as in the Lord of the Rings, and hey, even a film like Amelie, the colors and shadings needed to be bigger as well, to emphasize that while this was about people, it was bigger than they were. It was enormous. While Amelie is more of an example of how we can each make our own little dramas and crises into something huge and fantastical, 300 and the Lord of the Rings are about individuals making a difference. Is it then any surprise that they share the same technique?
Wow, I hadn't realized how much I missed raving about movies!
7 - James
this movie is for fan boys. With that in mind, they did a good job, delivering everything the fan boys want (and those who are closeted would be able to ogle the hard bodies and laugh at the fey Persian King without being suspicious). It's a visually stunning film, even if it does get repetitive and boring... and the narration just takes me out of the film EVERY TIME. but anyone who says this has deep characters, heart, etc. are really stretching it. This is a piece of eye candy with a propaganda story ("For the Glory!!") and catch phrases ("We are SPARTANS!" "Freedom is not free!").
GW should be very proud.
The fan boys want a moving graphic novel with blood and guts to spare and a reason to yell, "Ya Hoo!" and pound their chests, to feel like hot-blooded Americans. Nothing wrong with that. But if you want real heart and soul with blood, go rent the Godfather.
Of course, the fan boys are going to defend this movie against any criticism because gosh, they just can't take it. They can't accept differences of opinions and can't understand anyone is in love with this thing, as one reviewer called it, "somewhere between gay porn and recruitment." They are the "shock and awe" generation. I just wonder, why are they in the theaters instead of in Iraq fighting for glory?
8 - handyguy
Thanks for a massively entertaining review. I haven't yet decided whether to subject myself to this opus.
It worries me when I see quotes from the director such as: “I wanted to do a movie that when you walked out you were like ‘Fuck! That was awesome!’ And like, you wanna kick some ass.” This was quoted approvingly by a Blogcritics writer. It makes me want to stay miles away.
But I'm enough of a pop-culture vulture, and curious enough, to eventually go and see it in IMAX anyway...probably.
9 - sarah
Ok.... I was very excitied to view the movie 300. It didn't quiet meet up to my exspectations, but it did a very good job. I thought the graphics and the characters looked awesome on the screen. It was a very well done movie. Now about everyone saying that this movie is a direct hit towards people of the Iran, BULLSh*t! People read to much into stuff, and all it is, is just plain DRAMA! You can sit and watch almost any movie, and in everyone, someone is "the Bad guy". Its called the movie's plot.
And with 300 case being actual history... Come on now, if it happened it happened. Can we not enjoy movies that have historic background in them, beacause somebody will be upset cause their great great daddy is protraded to be bad?
Besides, Leonidas even said to Xersus that his army was made up of slaves. Meaning that the people didn't want to be there.
So I am not here to bash anyone, but please.... save the all the drama for the actual movie screens!
10 - J.J. Hunsecker
Wow, I was wondering how long it would take before a "I try to be cool by not liking what's popular" critic would show up. What took you?
"The only problem is the story isn't deep enough to analyze."
Let me get this straight, you take it too task for just being a big, dumb, action movie when that's all it's trying to be. I know you probably paid a lot for that MFA, but you don't need to use it all the time.
Although since you want to discuss story, it now makes sense that you describe yourself as the generic "TV producer" rather than having to fess up to the actual credit of "Hogan Knows Best".
By the way, did you watch "Star Wars" and count the number of "Hidden Fortress" rip-offs? Or do your film references only go back to 1977
11 - Chris Beaumont
Is it so hard to believe that someone could not like the movie? Or that they would expect a little more out of it? I guess not, or else you wouldn't have posted.
I loved the movie, think it is masterful and the best new release thus far this year, but I do understand that not everyone is going to agree. WOuld you rather everyone just regurgitated the same praise? This review is well written and brings another point of view to the table.
12 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Good to see you coming to the defense of another critic whom you disagree with. Knowing the story well as I do, I would not waste 35 shekels to see this movie based on this review.
13 - Chris Beaumont
You should check out my review, perhaps it'll change your mind? :)
I have no problem with differing reviews, so long as hey have a reason to. All too often people just say "I don't like it" but cannot say why. This review made perfect sense in reasoning, I respect that. There have been cases where I have been in the minority, or just opposition to the prevailing thoughts.
14 - writnkitten
thank god for original thinkers who speak out and don't follow the flock just because that's what everyone else does! i always seem to go against the popular opinion, glad to see i'm not alone. keep up the good work.
15 - Chris Beaumont
Just be sure not to assume that someone who has similar thoughts is going along with the flock.
16 - zingzing
j.j.: "Wow, I was wondering how long it would take before a "I try to be cool by not liking what's popular" critic would show up. What took you?"
that's the worst argument in the book. she didn't like the movie all the kids like because she's trying to be cool? yeah... all the kids like the aloof one. mmhmm. sure.
look at the most popular movies of the past few weeks before this. was "ghostrider" any good? what was #1 before that? that drew barrymore movie? did you go see that?
you sure have pretty broad tastes if you like everything that everybody else likes.
look. this review was written by a woman. women are not this movie's target audience, to be sure, as it is full of buff men in very little clothing, getting all sweaty and yelling incoherant nothings at other bronzed charles atlas types. mmm.
and attacking her production credits... oh... how lovely. did you go searching on the internet for those? low, man, low.
17 - Kaonashi
It takes some guts to admit that you didn't like a film that has lots of fans. I may not agree with everything you've said in your piece, but that's cool.
I'd give Xerxes another looksee though, because underneath all that silly makeup, Rodrigo Santoro is a hottie!
18 - Ray Wong
i liked the film and gave it a good review here on Blogcritic and my own site (check mine out ;) ) but no, I don't think it's the best thing since sliced bread. It is what it is, with impressive visuals. As a critic, I also understand that not everyone will agree with me, and I certainly don't necessarily agree with everyone. They are all OPINIONS.
I find it very amusing that when someone doesn't agree with a critic, they lash out as if the reviewer is some kind of a moron for not liking what they do. Chill. If you're going to see it 16 thousand times, no one is going to stop you and you can tell everyone how much you like it, but don't attack someone else because they don't. "I'm so cool by not liking what is popular" -- puleese, do we need to be so infantile?
19 - Jamie Cason-VanLuven
This article is RIDICULOUS!(Except for the fact, NOT ONE BAD WORD ABOUT GB) I am a woman and I am NOT into blood and gore by any means. BUT I went and seen this film souly for the reason being GERARD BUTLER !!! I thought the special effects was awesome.Mainly the battle scenes that made it where I... was able to watch it!And the LOVE scene Ooooh I wanted to jump on the screen ! lol Gorgeous Behind! If he was MY KING I would follow him ANYWHERE!! 3 THUMBS UP!!! Jamie
20 - Barbie
300 was pure entertainment and that is what going to the movies should be to escape for a little while from our mundane lives. 300 rates high compared to the quality of movies out today! 300 was a totally unique experience compared to any other movie I have ever attended which says alot. Most weekends I just yawn as there is nothing interesting to see at the theatres and I would rather wait for the dvd to come out or even longer to be shown on the one of the movie channels.
21 - Sheryl
Anne,
You sound a little long in the tooth. You've obviously been writing film reviews for much too long. The jaded review you've written is evidence of that fact. Perhaps a career move is in order.
Jaime is correct. Gerard Butler is a Greek God!!Any air breathing woman who has sight will love this movie based just on that fact alone. But go because it's an excellent film.
22 - Anne
Jaime and Sheryl - Okay, I stand corrected. Both of you ARE correct. Gerard Butler is a beautiful man worth spending 9 dollars to see in a skimpy loincloth and I should have said so in my article. I am truly sorry! He's a hotty!
23 - Alisha Karabinus
God, do people -really- care only if someone is attractive?
24 - Chris Beaumont
Alisha,
The answer is Yes. Trust me, you do not want to watch a ovie with someone like me onscreen for two hours!
25 - Sheryl
Gerard Butler wasn’t only attractive. The loincloth is of no consequence (barely noticed it), but his body was beautiful and of course his wonderfully intelligent eyes. I liked what he represented, what is great about men (as a species if you will).
And so what if it is written in a very basic style(“The only problem is the story isn't deep enough to analyze”). An over sophistication of the mind is a joy killer when viewing any realm or art form. It’s a trait mired in condescension and conceit.