At the movies: 300

Gerard Butler as Leonidas, King of Spartans

King Leonidas and his 300 Spartans face ‘the thousand armies of the Persian Empire’ on the big screen in Frank Miller’s film adaptation of his graphic novel, 300. Starring Gerard Butler, Dominic West and David Wenham.

300 is a bloody, stylized and semi-accurate historical re-telling of the Battle of Thermopylae during the Greco-Persian Wars in which 300 Spartan soldiers (aided by 700 Thespians and 6,000 Greeks) fearlessly stood against 100,000 invading and enslaving Persian soldiers.

The Persian Immortals square off with the Spartans in 300

300 is overflowing with intense, graphic action and ripe with visuals. Heavy battle sequences, a roaring guitar-laden soundtrack and rich sound effects combine amazingly well with stunning photography and visual effect eye-candy, not to mention plenty blood and gore to go around. 300 leaves you at the edge of your seat and will wither make you cringe at the sight of someone being cut in half or battle-charged and ready to smite that snack counter employee who charged you $4.00 for a soda with a war hammer.

While 300 showcases fearless muscled brutes, head-chopping, skull-smashing action and sound, it lacks in strong plot development. You get an idea of the story and the conflict through the details and dialogue, but no real foundation, background or reason for the characters, the battle and the war. However, most would agree that for this eye-pleasing, body-crushing flick, all of that is simply not needed. Bring on the blood and spears.

Despite the lack of big plot development, the acting and writing is done very well, most notably for the main character of King Leonidas who’s passion for victory and roaring (almost screaming) speeches are motivating and full of energy. The costume design and make-up are also amazing and work incredibly well with the visual effects. I also really appreciated the details and heavy use of style of the ancient Greek world.

300 brings together the ancient mysticism of Xena: Warrior Princess, the epic heroism of Gladiator, the gritty battles of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and the film noir, in-your-face realism of Sin City (also by Frank Miller).

Again, 300 is quite simply an awesome, dark, bloody, roaring and relentless action flick with historical influence. It’s a great movie for a night out with ‘the guys’, the comic book fan and not one for the date, the kids or the history professor. 3 out of 5 stars (liked it)

300 is now playing at theaters everywhere. See the trailer here at Apple.com.

Dexter Torres for Sandiegoish.com