300

'300 falls short of 301'

For quite some time now I have been anxiously awaiting a movie brimming with tough machismo take no shit men. It seems I finally got it and man what a movie it is. Before going any further with this review, let me state the supposed history of the movie as I understand it. The Persians were invading Greece, the Greeks sent 1,000 of their men to meet these, I beleive, 10,000 Persians at a narrow pass. Most of the Greeks upon seeing the Persians flipped out and ran except 300 Spartans who were considered the elite marines of their day since they were trained from the age of 5 to be battle warriors. The Spartans held off the entire Persian army for three days and inspired the rest of the Greeks to return to fight, thus defeating the Persians and saving Greece. That's the history upon which the tale of the recent movie 300 directed by Zack Snyder is based. Now for the history of the movie and some of the unfortunate ties.

The movie 300 is a shot-for-shot adaptation, a la Sin City, of Frank Miller's graphic novel 300 which was published in 1999. Frank Miller's graphic novel won 3 Eisner awards and it was inspired by the movie The 300 Spartans which Frank Miller had seen as a kid. It features all of Frank Miller's favorite themes such as strong women and men that seem slightly mad. Also, lots of gore and an interesting style. Now, the thing to remember is that the graphic novel was published before September 11 and before George Bush was elected. The reason I point this out is because if you watch the movie there will be temptations to point out the multitude of ties and links between George Bush and what he has come to represent and the various ideals and practices of both King Leonidas and Xerxes. Although Frank Miller is not to blame, one can't but help wonder if these ties were intentional on the part of the filmmakers for deciding to make this film shot for shot instead of editing these sections out. Although they may not have been looking for the controversy, I think they welcome it. I will not talk about this though since there is so much more to discuss and the link is so weak that it is really not worth discussing. Although I'm sure many people will at great length and discuss the evil of Hollywood.

Now, story points. Well, the history pretty much says it all. The difference between the history and the creative re-imagining of the film is in its beautiful presentation and storytelling. The Spartans come across knowing there purpose is to fight and they seem to actively seek death at the hands a capable warrior. Sounds like a bunch of crazy trained psycho killers? Well, they are. The film also shows that they love however and the price stoicism and bravery can have in battle when those you love die. The movie has several sub plots and a background for the philosophy of the Spartans which was, get it done doing whatever necessary. While Leonidas is off at war, his wife is back home trying to care for her child and fend off a political opponent looking to keep from sending help to Leonidas. Despite the great stories, everything essentially revolves around the battle scenes and the struggle between Xerxes and Leonidas. This is where the film delivers. Each battle scene shows in excellent detail and cinematography the various fighting and battle techniqus of two clashing cultures. I noticed that the Immortals would jump kick the shields to knock the Spartans off balance while the Spartans would join together as a phalanx to create and impenetrable shield and then push and jab to kill wave after wave of attacker. Sometimes the fights are a little outrageous, but that has more to do with a philosophy of the story that I think is probably more of a detriment. The fight scenes are beautifully done by changing back and forth between slo-mo and regular speed in such a manner as to burn each image in your head as if it were a moving graphic novel. What a beautiful movie and if you ever need to feel macho, this is your chance to feel it. Blood, tits, defiance against the odds, it doesn't get any better.

The acting in this film is excellent. Gerard Butler is great as a screaming half-mad King Leonidas. His look is perhaps the most Greek look of the men in the film. Everyone else's hair looks almost too nice and modern actor to be period reliable. Also, I must give props to every actor in this movie for their ability to freak me out at how incredibly cut they are. If Spartans really looked like these men, it's no wonder they held off 10,000 for 3 days. The rest of the Spartans all do an excellent job. Dominic West as Theron the corrupt politician does a great job of being creepy, menacing, mean, and just plain evil. He does and excellent job and because of that he makes Lena Headey's Queen look that much stronger. If nothing else, Lena Headey is the best performance on the screen. Her character is strong in the face of all and very impressive indeed. She is a terrifying Spartan woman and it made for an excellent death scene later. I look forward to seeing her upcoming television series, The Sarah Connor Chronicles based on the Terminator films in which she will play Sarah Connor. Then there is Xerxes. Ridiculously tall, androgynous, egotastic Xerxes. Rodrigo Santoro does a great job with Xerxes by turning him into a huge mysterious man full of piercings and "otherness". The best part ever though is at the end, when he bleeds. Santoro's face when he realizes he is capable of being killed is astounding. Good acting with a couple of break out performances is my final answer for this film.

Now comes directing. This film is Zack Snyder's sophomoric effort after having come off the generally well-received remake of Dawn of the Dead. Snyder does an excellent job of drawing forth performances from essentially no-namers in a green-screen environment that melds with the lighting and background. This guy has done his homework and knows how to get the most out of his shots and he perfectly mimics Miller's graphic style and verve in his adaptation of his work. Excellent job by Snyder and he shows that he can stay true to the source material of whatever he adapts, something that few in Hollywood have ever been able to do. It is a skill he will need to put to good use for his next film, The Watchmen which is an adaptation of the graphic novel by Alan Moore, perhaps the hardest graphic novel ever to adapt. What works in his favor and doesn't work in his favor is how closely he stays true to the source material. This is the flaw of the film.

In 300 you will be hard pressed to find anything close to an idea of openness and tolerance. As Leonidas says, if those Athenian philosophers and boy-lovers turn down Xerxes offer, then the Spartans can't accept it. The only black men in the film work for Xerxes. Xerxes army is full of "otherness." Deformed monstrosities, scary asian and indian fighters, and Xerxes himself gives off a homosexual tension in his scenes. Hell, the whole reason why the Spartans fall is because of one deformed man who is turned down from joining the phalanx by Leonidas and decides to get revenge by changing sides. The world of the Spartans is not inclusive at all seeing as how the week and sickly at birth are tossed out to die. Spartans are only the strongest and best at surviving and they will not include the multitude of other cultures to enter their midst. I understand that 300 is an ode to the strong man. Where have all of the men who stand up for what is right no matter what the cost gone? Well, they can't stay together anymore because we live in too fractured and niche of a society. There is nothing harder in America than getting a majority of people to come vote for you or to tune in and join a cause. In Spartan times they received the full support of their soldiers and cities and worked as one to do whatever necessary. I understand this, but the extent of the exclusion from the brave and idolized heroes of Sparta comes across as bordering racism and prejudiced. The Nazi's could have made this movie if the Greeks had all blond hair and blue eyes. This is something that I blame partially on Miller for his story and partially on Snyder for not fixing and it is highly noticeable and very problematic for what is otherwise such a strong movie.

Conclusion:
300 does an interesting thing by using history and Miller's story to create an epic and original tale of the death of the old gritty hero. Miller's influence can be felt throughout the film in so small part thanks to Snyder's excellent direction. The cast is superb, especially Lena Headey. Unfortunately the film gives off a very exclusive feel that can easily create the wrong message for the weak minded. Sadly I'm sure that racist groups around the world will make this an annual showing for their members now. Still, it is an excellent macho movie, just try to look past some of the flaws and you'll find the true gem it is.

3.89 out of 5

Wannabe