300

[Zeko]

Anyone watched this movie yet? I'm hopefuly gonna see it today. From what i heard it's a good movie with a lot of action and killing soooo

Official site

IMDB

Trailers - check HD versions.

[krise madsen]

It's bloody (pun intended) brilliant! Exceptionally violent and very stylished, but in a good way. Remarkably, the movie has managed to capture the "look" of a Frank Miller/Lynn Varley comic. Think Sam Peckinpah meets George Lucas. I highly recommend it.

Respecfully

krise madsen

[xG5kdo]

Although there were some good action scenes in the movie, I was deeply disappointed.

I admit that I did not read the graphic novel. I am, however, intimately familiar with the history of the Greek-Persian war which includes the Battle of Thermopylae potrayed in the film. For a good, if somewhat fictional, description of the battle, read the novel Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield.

My disappointment is, I admit, biased. Having read through the history, the story, and marvelled at Leonidas' heroism over the years, I went to see the movie expecting to see a realistic depiction of hoplite combat. I was also interested to see how the great Persian Army of Xerxes I would be potrayed. In all instances, I was disappointed to say the least.

It all started when I realized that the Spartans would fight in their skivvies and still wearing their red cloaks. Although the red cloak was the archtypal Spartan uniform at the time, historical records - and military common sense - showed that these cloaks were discarded before battle. The Spartans, fearsome hoplites that they were, would also have worn the standard hoplite equipment: Helmet, shield, armor (linothorax), and greaves. Not wearing only their tight underwear. The lambda (signifying Lacedaemon) would have been painted instead of embossed on their bronze shields (aspis). Not to mention that the movie failed to mention/show that there are at least another 1,000-2,000 helots (slaves) there fighting and dying alongside their Spartan masters, contingents from Thebes who were held against their will, and contingents of Mycenians, Phocians, Thespians, etc. that all together made the army standing at Thermopylae to be around around 6,000 strong.

What really surprised me was the depiction of the Persians. It was just off the wall. What were those weird and wonderful creatures/monsters in the Persians' employ? And how come the Persian corps d'elite the Immortals were depicted as deformed monster-ninjas? They were professional soldiers too. The Persians lost because of inferior equipment. That's it. Not because they didn't fight as well as the Greeks. The depiction of the traitor Ephialtes as a hunch-back cast-away was also very disappointing.

All in all, I give the film 5.5 out of ten. I particularly enjoy the exchange of taunts and boasts between Leonidas and Xerxes (although Xerxes was really just a regular lookin guy, not a 7ft tall heavily pierced demi-god), and these taunts and boasts were pretty much what was said back then (including the famous words 'Molon Labe', which meant 'Come Get Them', when Xerxes demanded Leonidas' arms). Dienekes' remark about fighting in the shade was also true to history. Overall, I was disappointed.

[krise madsen]

Although there were some good action scenes in the movie, I was deeply disappointed.

I admit that I did not read the graphic novel. I am, however, intimately familiar with the history of the Greek-Persian war which includes the Battle of Thermopylae potrayed in the film. For a good, if somewhat fictional, description of the battle, read the novel Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield.

My disappointment is, I admit, biased. Having read through the history, the story, and marvelled at Leonidas' heroism over the years, I went to see the movie expecting to see a realistic depiction of hoplite combat. I was also interested to see how the great Persian Army of Xerxes I would be potrayed. In all instances, I was disappointed to say the least.

It all started when I realized that the Spartans would fight in their skivvies and still wearing their red cloaks. Although the red cloak was the archtypal Spartan uniform at the time, historical records - and military common sense - showed that these cloaks were discarded before battle. The Spartans, fearsome hoplites that they were, would also have worn the standard hoplite equipment: Helmet, shield, armor (linothorax), and greaves. Not wearing only their tight underwear. The lambda (signifying Lacedaemon) would have been painted instead of embossed on their bronze shields (aspis). Not to mention that the movie failed to mention/show that there are at least another 1,000-2,000 helots (slaves) there fighting and dying alongside their Spartan masters, contingents from Thebes who were held against their will, and contingents of Mycenians, Phocians, Thespians, etc. that all together made the army standing at Thermopylae to be around around 6,000 strong.

What really surprised me was the depiction of the Persians. It was just off the wall. What were those weird and wonderful creatures/monsters in the Persians' employ? And how come the Persian corps d'elite the Immortals were depicted as deformed monster-ninjas? They were professional soldiers too. The Persians lost because of inferior equipment. That's it. Not because they didn't fight as well as the Greeks. The depiction of the traitor Ephialtes as a hunch-back cast-away was also very disappointing.

All in all, I give the film 5.5 out of ten. I particularly enjoy the exchange of taunts and boasts between Leonidas and Xerxes (although Xerxes was really just a regular lookin guy, not a 7ft tall heavily pierced demi-god), and these taunts and boasts were pretty much what was said back then (including the famous words 'Molon Labe', which meant 'Come Get Them', when Xerxes demanded Leonidas' arms). Dienekes' remark about fighting in the shade was also true to history. Overall, I was disappointed.

Oh you're no fun anymore Ok, so you expected something else and was dissapointed. Fair enough. And you explained your premise, which is highly commendable. But your premise was wrong. No offense, but it was. Despite the rather silly remark by the director that 300 was "90% historically correct" this movie is simply a movie version of a comic. The fact that Ephialtes was deformed to the point of making Quasimodo look like a poster child for normality was no accident. Nor was having the Spartans look like the staff at a gay bar rather than elite hoplites. That's the premise of 300: An all-out, no-holds-barred bloodfest and pictoral orgie with scant attention to things like authenticity.

I wouldn't mind seeing a realistic portrayal of the ancient Greeks at war, which would be quite spectacular in its own right.

Respectfuly

krise madsen

[NoQuarter]

For a good, if somewhat fictional, description of the battle, read the novel Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield.

Second

I'll more than likely wait until it's released on DVD, and while it's nice to be forewarned, I've never been under the illusion that Hollywood can do history.

[Whistle]

realism aside its a kicakss movie. you have to remember its based on the graphic novel. not the actual battle.

so given the creative license that was taken, it was byfar the most badass movie I have EVER seen.

[Sup]

I've never been under the illusion that Hollywood can do history.

It's not a historical movie, though. It's a comic book movie. Frank Miller, 300's artist, is the same guy who penned Sin city. He was inspired by history, but never made an effort to follow it. Style > setting in every regard.

Watching from that perspective, I was very impressed with the movie. Their method of slow motion (fast for transitions, slow to hold on images and mimic the graphic novel's original panels) and use of color correction was incredibly artful, if a bit excessive.

[Rocky]

I read earlier that there were some pretty serious deviations from historical records, so when I go to see I'll know it's one of those "based on real events" movies than can't be taken as face value.

It would be grating for anyone familiar with the history to go and see a fictionalised/inaccurate account like 300 though.

I was hoping to see it tonight, but Mrs Rocky wants to go and see Hot Fuzz, which scored just higher than 300 at IMDB, so it'll be comedy, not bloodshed for me tonight!

[Sup]

I read earlier that there were some pretty serious deviations from historical records, so when I go to see I'll know it's one of those "based on real events" movies than can't be taken as face value.

Again, it's based on a comic book that shares some names with real events. Nothing more.

[Ryan243]

I really don't know why anyone would want to see this movie. From the commercials and the clips I've seen when the guy who plays the Spartan commander has been on talk shows, the acting is really, REALLY hammy.

I also really don't see why you'd want to watch a movie that looks like a comic book (excuse me "graphic novel" ). But then, I'm not a fan of comic books.

Edited April 9, 2007 by Ryan243

[Sup]

I also really don't see why you'd want to watch a movie that looks like a comic book (excuse me "graphic novel" ).

In this case the graphic novel's just a compilation of comic books, so I think it's a fair label.

[Kamakazi]

I really don't know why anyone would want to see this movie. From the commercials and the clips I've seen when the guy who plays the Spartan commander has been on talk shows, the acting is really, REALLY hammy.

I also really don't see why you'd want to watch a movie that looks like a comic book (excuse me "graphic novel" ). But then, I'm not a fan of comic books.

The thing about the acting that makes it look so hammy is that they are throwing out the classic one liners from the comic books, where paragraphs can't really be portrayed.

[dporter]

Well in a couple more hours tax season will end for our office and we are heading over to buffalo wild wings to celebrate.

After that my wife and I are heading over to catch this movie in the theater. I haven't seen much of her the last 3 months so It should be a fun evening. And by fun I mean arguing about all the stuff we weren't able to argue about while I was busy at work.

This is one of those movies I really wanted to see in the theater as opposed to catching it on dvd when it comes out.

And to help celebrate my much needed break tomorrow my wife has decided to let me paint the family room. I honestly think women secretly rule the world. They let us think we are in charge, they even let us have a male president every four years, but I think we all know who really is really running the show. Just look at Hilary Clinton.

PS. I could have sworn there was a spell check in the options??

Edited April 17, 2007 by dporter

[Rocky]

PS. I could have sworn there was a spell check in the options??

Not in the forums, but there are browser plug in checkers.

[Cpl Ledanek]

I honestly think women secretly rule the world. They let us think we are in charge, they even let us have a male president every four years, but I think we all know who really is really running the show.

When my wife said, she was going to the mall without asking me for some spending money and said, "enjoy your gaming.", I honestly felt guilty and confused.

For 2 hours I kept checking the garage and see if she actually left.

Back on topic...I know I'm missing out on the movie of the year, but I'm sure there would be at least 10-20 more minutes on the unrated DVD version.

If Frank Miller wrote it, Hollywood executives/lawyers would cut at least 10-20 minutes off the theater-released version.

I just hope someday Hollywood would release a Frank Miller version of Batman

...now where's that wife of mine? I haven't heard any...*URK!*

[rossiski]

My wife suggested we go see this on the IMAX down the road. Nothing like seeing man nipples that are 2 feet across.

She liked it (obviously). I thought it was okay. Don't go for the history lesson, go and see stylized, machismo...oh, what the hell...

SPARTAAAAAAAAAAA!

[krise madsen]

My wife suggested we go see this on the IMAX down the road. Nothing like seeing man nipples that are 2 feet across.

She liked it (obviously). I thought it was okay. Don't go for the history lesson, go and see stylized, machismo...oh, what the hell...

SPARTAAAAAAAAAAA!

A friend of mine took his (very) pregnant wife to see it. She didn't even blink at the ultra-violence, but the six-packs had her almost giving birth on the spot.

Respectfully

krise madsen

[dporter]

My wife suggested we go see this on the IMAX down the road. Nothing like seeing man nipples that are 2 feet across.

She liked it (obviously). I thought it was okay. Don't go for the history lesson, go and see stylized, machismo...oh, what the hell...

SPARTAAAAAAAAAAA!

A friend of mine took his (very) pregnant wife to see it. She didn't even blink at the ultra-violence, but the six-packs had her almost giving birth on the spot.

Respectfully

krise madsen

My wife only made it through 20 minutes of the movie and said we needed to go see something else. She said it was too "pornographic"

Anyways we then went in to watch blades of glory. Another cookie cutter will ferrel movie. His character was funny about 5 movies ago. I'm really upset i'm not going to be able to see 300 in the theaters.