The film is filled with CGI throughout, recreating Miller’s drawings and Varley’s color palette and making possible all the stabbing, slicing, and blood squirting of the battle scenes. While obvious at times, especially the latter effect, the pace and artistry of the activity on the screen keeps the viewer engaged.
As brilliant as all the effects work is, the story and performances are what lift the film into rarified air. A special kudos goes out to the actors’ training staff because the Spartans are extremely fit and every muscle is on display. The film is also augmented by the music of Tyler Bates, a fantastic mix that combines classical and metal elements, and includes the vocal work of Azam Ali.
The villain Xerxes is the film’s one flaw. All his dialogue is dubbed poorly, taking the viewer out of the moment and removing the menace his character should have created. The effects don't work well in the scene where he is alone with Leonidas. He looks where Leonidas is supposed to be and not at him.
The bar for sword-and-sandal epics has been set so high, not even Icarus would attempt to reach it. Run with the speed of Hermes, and see 300 on the biggest screen with the best sound system available to better engulf your senses in its brilliance. I’m ready to relive it. Rare is the film that compels me to see it again on the big screen.
Trailer for Windows Media and Quicktime.
Solace in Cinema offers a comic-to-screen-comparison for fans.
For those interested in learning the story of the event, read Herodotus's Histories.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Donna A.
I never got into the graphic novels. But did enjoy Frank Miller's Sin City. This one looks like something I would like to see. The sheer beauty of it.
Donna A.
2 - El Bicho
Donna, prepare to be dazzled.
3 - Jae
I'm looking forward to this movie for many reasons. I love the time period in history and this particular story. I'm further a fan of graphic novels and the impact they've had on getting my students to read. And I've long thought Gerard Butler should be much more of a "star" than he is. I'm especially happy to see Butler may just get the credit he has deserved for his skills as a performer. So far he's been a well kept secret pigeon holed as a brooding pretty boy and just hasn't seemed to be able to catch his big break. I hope 300 opens the door for him.
4 - El Bicho
jae, I think you will find in 300 Butler kicks the door down
5 - T. Michael Testi
This sound really interesting.
I too love the feel (and story) of Sin City. I have always been a QT and RR fan. My first real exposure to Frank Miller was through Sin City via RR's directing.
I am going to have to check it out. Thanks for the review!
6 - daryl d
"Brothers and sisters, lend me your eyes so I may share with you the tale of brave Leonidas I, King of Sparta, son of King Anaxandridas II, descendant of Heracles, who led 300 Spartan warriors against the seemingly unending forces of Emperor Xerxes of Persia at The Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC."
Wow, what a very nice run-on sentence.
7 - Mary K. Williams
Daryl - don't be like that. It's much more mature to keep the comments related to the movie, don't you think?
8 - Mat Brewster
It's also a pretty darn cool sentence. And El Bicho really is a spartan king, so watch your ass.
9 - Aaron Fleming
Excellent, thanks for the history lesson Mary! I'm not really into sword and sandal epics, but when it's born from the mind of Frank Miller, well that makes for an enticing prospect.
And Daryl, take your adolescent immaturity elsewhere.
10 - Mary K. Williams
No, don't thank me Sir Aaron. El B provided us with this lesson. Oh, and yikes - I never actually said that I enjoyed this post.
Well I did, and the movie looks totally intriguing.
11 - Aaron Fleming
Oh, yeah, my mistake. Kudos to you El Bicho!
12 - Kera
Wow! One word says it all! When I first saw the ads, I thought, "cool graphics, medieval-like war flick, hope it has a plot". Then I read the review by El Bicho, and I was riveted. I then exhaled. What I had perceived was surmounted by the prospect of really REALLY great music, and I LOVE historical epics! March 9th is branded on my calender.
13 - El Bicho
Hope to see you back here on the 10th to tell us what you thought, Kera.
14 - Kaonashi
This movie kicks so much ass on so many levels. I watched it tonight and can't wait to post my review.
15 - taymour
this movie is another piece of history americanized to put down the east. im sure most of the things potrayed in this movie are not true or have been twisted to make greeks look good.
16 - El Bicho
I don't see how the East was put down only Xerxes, but if you would like to provide some evidence that he would have been a benevolent dictator when he took over Greece against the people's will, I'm all eyes.
17 - Stone
I saw an advanced screening of 300 - MAN 'O MAN - This is the best movie I have ever seen!!!
Do yourself a favor and catch this flick on the big-screen!!
18 - Sarah
Hey, for those that saw the movie, what is the nudity in there?
19 - El Bicho
There's a sex scene with Leonidas and his wife before he goes to battle, and then you see a naked women as an oracle writhing around. There might be one more if I remember right.
20 - Shwaggle
I just saw the midnight viewing of this and it was AMAZING....such a good fucking movie it was incredible
21 - America
We will remain the power of the world for all of eternity.
22 - misterjonez
Saw the midnight showing, gotta say that it's the best action/epic since Braveheart. Gladiator was more of a character story, but I really liked this even more than Gladiator as a movie. The action scenes were epic and absolutely gorgeous, with loooooooong single-take cuts that really amp up the action in slow-motion.
There were three nudity scenes, the first being the aforementioned sex scene between Leonidas and Gorgo(sp?), the second was the pink-two-inch-nipple-oracle-girl wearing her single-ply top, and the third was in Xerxes chamber during the subversion of the traitor with all kinds of bondage/piercing on display.
Amazing, amazing movie. Lots of people are gonna dog it because it didn't take years and years to explain and introduce the characters. Which was great since it left more screen time for the action!
23 - JarHead
Saw this one in a matinee with some military co-workers. It took our breath away.
The cinematography was amazing. Battle scenes the like of which I have not seen on the screen since "Private Ryan".
Butler commands the screen in a way I have seldom seen, he deserves at least some consideration for an Oscar.
And folks, this was the "warrior ethos" on display. Its what we in the USMC try to instill in our Marines. I've never seen it put better than the words these players speak, and the actions they perform. It tells you "why" we, who volunteer to fight, are what we are, even thousands of years later.
All I can say is "Wow". Go see it. You will be entertained! I know I'm going back to see it again, and (if rumours are true) on the IMAX screen if possible.
24 - BRB
This is a visually stunning, yet laughable view of an historical battle. Rife with inaccuracies. Monsters, deformed beasts, black Persians. Since when are Persians black? They made Xerxes look so gay. Maybe the could have dubbed a lisp. This movie is just a vehicle to sell video games. It's too bad. Such technical talent wasted on such a garbage script.
25 - Andrea
Awesome action scenes which leaves you stunned. if u love action and blood this is a must watch. If you're into more of a story line.. maybe u should pass. Cuz its all graphics and action in this one.