Spartans! Prepare for glory!!

As you can tell, I've seen the new movie 300. And boy, what a ride! I'm not sure what impressed more: the sumptuous visuals that were an incredible feast for the eyes; the make-no-apologies and take-no-prisoners attitude of the filmmakers, who just went for it and put this fanboys' dream movie out there; or the fact that this isn't just an incredible story - it's a TRUE story, albeit a highly stylized one as told by director Zack Snyder. Either way, this is certainly the first standout film of 2007, a gutsy, visceral experience committed to celluloid like no movie in a long time.

So, do you think he liked it guys?

Well, sure, it was a lot of fun, and I got completely caught up in it. I've got this thing for the little guys vs. big guys, last stand types of movies, especially true ones. Heck, I've been so pumped about this movie that I'm almost as excited about The History Channel's specials (aired the same week the film opened) about the actual battle of Thermopylae (especially the documentary Last Stand of the 300 - check it out if you get the chance). Long story short, 300 is a fun movie that grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let you go until the very end.

I read Frank Miller's graphic novel just before I saw the movie and I was immediately impressed by the unique style of artwork that popped out of the panels of the pages. I was also struck by the sense of deja vu that I felt reading the book. I recognized right off some of the very images and sound bites from the movie trailer. That made me think that this could be an interesting adaptation. I loved Sin City, so I was intrigued by the possibilities here. I was very happy to see that the movie wasn't a linear adaptation, but that, in fact, the filmmakers "filled" out the storyline with some welcome set up in the first act, as well as provided some expanded characterization and subplots, particularly with Queen Gorgo and her attempts to sway the council to support Leonidas in his cause for Sparta.

And while many believe that 300 is modern allegory for the Iraq War, I believe the filmmakers weren't aiming for such topical relevance (although it could be argued that, intended or not, the film is topical AND relevant, given the coincidental parallels between film and current events), but instead were instead attempting to tell a compelling story in a unique way. In any case, it's up to the individual viewer to decide.

That's my opinion. What's yours? Feel free to post your thoughts. And if anybody's seen the IMAX version, I'd love to hear how it looks in that format.

Until next time,

Kevin