"300"- the movie is based on the 1998 Dark Horse Comics graphic novel by Frank Miller. It is crucially important to remember that fact while viewing "300;" that it is not a filmic recreation of the Battle of Thermopylae, but rather, a filmic recreation of Frank Miller's particular vision of the Battle Thermopylae.
"300" is a film truly worthy of the word "epic," firstly because of its hugely dramatic, (kind of) true story. It's 480 BC, and ancient Greece lies in the path of the Persian Empire, the largest of the ancient world and, as depicted in "300," simply the most awesome and powerful force in the history of all things.
When Xerxes and his multi-nation army show up on Sparta’s doorstep and demand allegiance, they also offer King Leonidas and his people the freedom to live the way they want. But this is Sparta, a nation of warriors bred for blood. Leonidas will not stand for his people to bend knee to anyone, no matter how sweet the pot. Looked at that way, to me 300 is actually more interesting. This is the story not of freedom fighters, but of a stubborn man and a stubborn people obsessed with honor, glory, and war. A group of fighters so fierce they prefer death to surrender, no matter the terms. Only the greatest warriors on Earth could hold off an army of millions with only 300 men. For Spartans, it’s the natural thing to do.
As truly epic as this tale of legendary heroism is, nothing can properly prepare audiences for the experience of the "300." "Hyper-epic" may accurately characterize the style in which this already exhilarating Frank Miller story was realized on film. From the studio logos to the end credits, every frame of "300" pulsates and flexes as if it were heaving an enormous weight from one shot to the next. The music and sound effects are pushed completely to the forefront, making every pluck of a string, every beat of a drum, every footstep and even every breath carry the dramatic impact of most other films' entire audio tracks. Every shot is picturesque. Every close-up is extreme. Every man is muscle-bound and sculpted. Every woman is elegant and beautiful (even the terribly scarred ones). Every monster is hideous and sickening. Every blow is fatal. Every moment is a moment. Not one second is wasted. The film is breathtakingly beautiful. It’s a visual masterpiece.
In this fashion, "300" is relentless and will leave its viewers exhausted, because they will have lived it. They will understand and experience every motivation, every action, and every reaction that each character in the film makes, because they will see the world through the unflinching eyes of Frank Miller's Spartans.
Though i strongly felt the need for more, which i guess is exactly what was intended. the movie runs for 117 minutes, but somehow i hope there is a longer version of it available out there, for the movie is just that good!!
The movie is based on a true story. but remember this isn't history. Snyder’s take on the film is a fantasy, the way the battle would have looked in the minds of the Greeks, as they tell the story of the 300’s sacrifice.
Its a must watch for everyone out there(Except the kiddies since its rated R
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300
