300 [Blu-ray] | List Price: $34.99
Discount Price: $16.69
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Brand: Warner Brothers
Binding: Blu-ray
Release Date: 2007-07-31
artistic tour-de-force [Posted on 2008-10-28]
I give this 5 stars for artistic achievement.
This movie translates the artistic style of a comic (story board) successfully to the screen. This becomes a master class in scene composition. Every cinematographer should study this movie and learn it's lessons.
300 is Visually Stunning and Graphically Violent. [Posted on 2008-10-31]
I finally experienced the 2007 film based on Frank Miller's graphic novel last night. 300 chronicles the Battle of Thermopylae between an alliance of Greek city-states and the invading Persian Empire of Xerxes I. Vastly outnumbered, the fierce resistance of 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas of Sparta held off the Persian advance for six days, before it was annihilated in one of history's most famous battles. Directed by Zack Snyder and produced by by Frank Miller, 300 stars Gerard Butler in the role of King Leonidas, Lena Headey as his wife, Queen Gorgo, and Rodrigo Santoro as the last man standing, Persian King Xerxes, in a graphic battle characterized by lots of blood and pure testosterone.
Like the film Sin City, what makes 300 such a truly sensational experience in film is not so much its storyline, which is predictable, but the shot-for-shot adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel, using more than 1500 computer-enhanced special effects, and a soundtrack mixing elements of classical music with heavy metal. While the film is visually stunning, it is extremely violent. The characters rarely escape their one-dimensional caricatures of pro wrestlers. It should also be mentioned that many critics have criticized the film for it "fascist" politics and "homophobic" themes, which even prompted Warner Bros to issue a disclaimer that the film is not meant to "disparage an ethnicity or culture or make any sort of political statement." When experienced as an action film, however, 300 delivers.
G. Merritt
300 Male Models [Posted on 2008-11-03]
I totally disagree with the editorial review that claims that the "300" is more engaging than "Troy". It may be more engaging to those who enjoy comic books but those who enjoy adult fare will like Troy far better.
Those who know little of Spartan society and the Battle of Thermopolae may enjoy this cartoon. Those more familiar with the austere Spartan way of life and the motives and conduct of the battle at the Gates of Fire, will be far less well served. This movie takes incredible liberties with the battle against the Persians. First...Leonidas never visited ancient and deformed seers who had been bought off by the Persians. Leonidas, a very religious man, realizing that he was facing a life-and-death battle visited the Pythia who...as was her way...gave him an ambivalent answer. "A King must die," she prophesied. Leonidas, King of Sparta, reckoned the King was him and determined to go out in real style.
Second...the Spartans were HEAVY infantry. They would NOT have been fighting bare-chested. Every man of them would have been wearing heavy breastplates and greaves for his thighs and shins. Initially "the 300" got it right by showing a battle that was as more of a pushing match than a sword fight. Then, in fine Hollywood fashion, the battle breaks up into individual antagonists. It didn't happen that way. If the Spartans had fought bare-chested and man-to-man, they would have been annihiliated in less than a half hour. The fact that they last three days is a testimony to group cohesion and discipline.
Third...Xerxes wasn't 7.5 feet tall...ridiculous. Fourth...the Persians used no rhinos and elephants...Xerxes was no Hannibal. Fifth...why do the ignorant [let me promise you, they are plenty ignorant of history and drama] Hollywood types have to mess with history? Why couldn't they have followed Pressfield's excellent novel, "Gates of Fire", to perfection? Read it yourself and find out how much better real history is to adolescent cartoons.
Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
All blood No Plot [Posted on 2008-11-03]
blood Blood Blood Blood Blood blood Blood blood blood Blood Blood bllod Blood blood Rape blood Blood Blood Blood blood Blood, that basically sums up this generic mindless Blood Bath movie. All violznce, No Plot, laughable Fake acting.
This is Sparta!!!! [Posted on 2008-11-07]
Man this movie rocks! I first saw it in an IMAX theatre and was blown away by the visual effects and the action. It's one of the best action movies i've seen in years and looks/sounds really good in HD. Truely a movie for everyone except kids. Ladies get to look at dudes with six-pack abs and guys get to see their heads get cut off.
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