300-Visual Elegance Mostly Devoid of Substance
Anyone whose read my Sin City review probably could conclude, with just a tiny amount of effort, that I think Frank Miller is totally, totally and completely overrated, almost beyond comprehension, which, of course, makes him a perfect partner for Robert “I let my six year old write my scripts” Rodriguez. Whatever. That said, 300 is a visual masterpiece, of this, there can be absolutely no doubt. The story of 300 completely gay, oiled up and ripped Spartan love slaves against a million ugly deformed, deviant Persians, well hell and yeeha, now that is a good time alright.
Speaking of ripped (as in muscles) it is true that I am ripping on this movie a little bit. Anyone who pens a review of this film and doesn’t smack it around a little isn’t really doing his or her job. Yes, yes and yes it is visually stunning and unique and really showcases what the future of cinema, to some extent, will be like. 300 does a masterful job of showing the combined power of digital acquisition and green/blue screen and cgi magic. However, the 300 falls, and fall deeply, into the trap that so many Hollywood blockbusters fine themselves plummeting into. The characters of 300 are little more than Rockem’ Sockem’ Robots, which is particularly true of the baddies, the Persians. Their kinky, their ugly, there are lots of them and they are mean. And? Well, that is about it for the Persians of 300. Now, the Spartans don’t fair much better. We know they live rough lives, are dedicated to war, hate clothes and really seem to love each other. Okay, well, hey Frank Miller, a bit of originality here, please. I know it is a historical event, but to say you took liberty with it, oh that is an understatement. Perhaps only Star Wars and My Big Fat Greek Con Job are less based on actual historical events than 300. Keeping this in mind, Miller was at liberty to draw fuller, more developed characters for the audience and he just didn’t. In the end I was not able to change my mind on the fact that Miller is wildly overrated.
What makes this movie such a top-notch experience is, obviously, not the silly script. What makes 300 one of the best times you will have at the movies is the sheer innovation of the visuals. Director Zack Snyder whose experience mostly resides in the realm of directing music videos, does a masterful job on the look and overall experience of the 300 and creates incredible action sequences that mostly make the viewer forget that the characters are poorly drawn and recycled.
So, again if you go to a Frank Miller movie expecting a story, well, you are either a fourteen boy, who thinks that Sin City had something to “say” or you are not paying attention. However, in terms of eye candy you probably can’t do better and for this reason alone, the visually innovative feast that is 300 is a must see.
Story C- (While the story does little to create interesting characters, 300 does excel in creating an incredible blue screen meat grinder that will satiate a many blood lust.)
Acting B (Given what they had to work with the actors did a good job. The dialogue is often laughable but they did what they could to pull it off. Let’s face anyone who is willing to work out the way these guys did, well, they deserve a decent grade for acting. Yes, even if they happened to be Paulie Shore.)
Visuals A+ (If only the recent Star Wars movies had been this visually innovative. If only.)
Originality/Innovation A+ (300 is a rare beast indeed, for while the film leaves much to be desired in terms of story, the visuals are just too compelling and drive up 300’s originality score.)
Enjoyability Grade A (You might laugh at much of it, but you will still be having a good time.)
Home Theater/HD Factor A+ (A must own for any HD-DVD/Blue-Ray owner.)
Overall Grade A- (Credit must be given to all involved for making very solid use of the roughly $60 million dollar budget that was supposedly allocated. The film looks much grander and impressive than the dollar amount put into its production. It is surprising that with a look this unique, 300 didn’t pull in even more than its approximately $450 million take worldwide.)
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