I've never seen violence romanticized like this. The
wanton and stylized spearing, amputation, hacking, beheading, and
impaling through the mouth make Zack Snyder's 300 seem like a
Gatorade commercial for gladiators. And if you're looking for a giant
kick-ass fight scene to pump you up and make you want to attack the
other theater-goers with the janitor's mop handle on the way out,
this is probably your best bet for the weekend (unless Hugh Grant
just really really really pisses you off).
It's based on a true story, set about 2500 years ago,
when 300 Spartans defend their country against thousands of evil
hedonistic Persians (Iranians from long ago). We know they're
hedonistic because there's a party scene where there's a goat/man
hybrid playing a violin and a double amputee prostitute covered with
gold.
It's based on the same titled graphic novel by Sin
City's Frank Miller, and it's REALLY faithfully based to it,
which means there wasn't much meat added to the story to flesh out
the gorgeous fight scenes. 300 is really more of an opera or ballet
than a great historical epic. It's like a K-Tel Greatest Hits album
of what you liked best from Braveheart, Rocky, Lord of The Rings,
Gladiator, Spartacus with a track from Showgirls thrown in
for good measure. Even the lead performance by Gerald Butler was
vintage Mel Gibson.
Overall, it's just a great way to waste some time,
with no inspiring message to walk away with, save the obvious "If
someone invades your country, protect it." Duh.
-Robert Berry
rberry@retrocrush.com
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