Last Thursday my EX-girlfriend took me to see a Pre-screening of the latest Frank Miller comic conversion 300. Ever since I had seen that first leaked trailer I have been dying to see it – not to mention how spectacular Sin City was – and so it was time to watch my most anticipated movie of the year.
Was I disappointed? Hell. No.
The movie starts at a high, a brief history lesson in how Spartan boys become Spartan Men. As someone who loves Classical History, none of this was new to me – But it sure was awesome to see on the big screen.
These opening scenes were Art. They were created with the same care a painter would apply on his 5-Year masterpiece. Those brushstrokes, so fine the naked-eye could not perceive the change … The difference here is; I’m watching a child (no more than 10 years of age) smashing another child’s face into the floor. Charles Darwin would be proud.
The movie then splits off into two paths, the Political and the Militant. Unlike previous ‘epic’ movies such as Troy (5/10) in which the acting was so poor that non-combat scenes were unbarable and Gladiator (8/10) where the acting was fantastic – but the non-combat scenes were the greater portion by far; 300 works all round.
Even in those quite brief political scenes you were dumb-struck with the surroundings in this marvellous Spartan Utopia – The acting was above par, but not Oscar Winning. Generally speaking, there was nothing to complain about – Besides the odd flimsy line or predictable twist.
I know what you want to hear about … The Combat. Simply put; 300 Delivers.
I only regret that amongst all the fray, with such an emphasis on brotherhood and unity, we are only acquainted with about half a dozen Spartans. Each and every Spartan kicks ass, but the movie might be more evocative with a bit more personalisation.
The Cast was where I think this movie both strives and fails. Tom Wisdom a Spartan? The last time I saw him, he was a bisexual male air-hostess in Sky’s failed series “Mile High” … And now you’re some Glorious Spartan? The mind boggles …
My two main cast criticisms come with Vincent Regan and David Wenham.
Although I think Vincent Regan did a sublime job as the Captain in 300, he also appeared in a similar role as Achilles’ Second in the quite recent Troy movie. He feels simply too familiar to me, but if anything this proves that Troy made everyone look bad.
David Wenham however, more commonly known as Faramir from LotR, I felt was the weakest actor cast for this movie. What is worse, he was the most vocal spartan after Leonidas & he gave the epic speech at the end. This left me with a somewhat bitter taste … after all those brilliant (almost too epic) speeches that Leonidas gave just to end on him? Meh.
I’ve probably said enough for now, I don’t want to give too much away.
It is receiving very mixed reviews and honestly – I can see why, but this movie is definately worth the watch. Love it, or Hate it … I don’t care as long as they keep converting Frank Miller’s stuff.
I can’t wait for Sin City 2.
Enjoy my lame quotery,
James
“They outnumber us a Paltry 3-to-1, good odds for any Greek.”
“only Spartan women give birth to real men.”
“My Hand!” “Its not yours anymore, neither is the whip.”
“Everyone will know, few stood against many.”
Ps. I don’t care what people say about the lead actor’s Scottish accent, I think it worked. And I don’t want to see some greasy little olive eating Grecko in lead – Only a British man could pull off Leonidas.
