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MizSuz -> Review - As Promised (semi spoilers) (3/9/2007 1:22:42 PM)
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I've just returned from seeing 300 and, as promised, I'm throwing my opinions and impressions out here.
First I need to make a couple of things clear so you understand my foundational premises. I am a fan of film interpretations of comics and graphic novels. No, I don't think they are all good - in fact most of them aren't very good at all, IMNSHO. However, I do enjoy seeing different approaches to changing mediums. I like it when a director goes for, and achieves, the feel of the graphic novel without actually turning it into a cartoon. I liked Sin City, but thought it was too much like a comic book on film, which is to say a cartoon. I like animation as well but to my mind that's a different genre. I thought the biggest fault with Sin City was that it couldn't decide if it was animation or not. I found that distracting. I suffered no such distractions with 300.
Also, I have not seen Frank Miller's original graphic novel 300 nor the 1962 movie "The 300 Spartans" that the novel was inspired by. So, my impressions of the movie 300 are not colored by its forebearers. I was, however, familiar with the story.
I have every intention of owning this movie as soon as it is available. I'll watch it multiple times, I'm sure. I would travel some distance to see this movie in IMAX, as has been suggested by a previous poster on this thread, if it were to become available in that format.
First the story. It's a timeless story of honor, loyalty, brotherhood; disloyalty, greed and tyranny. It's not a "deep" story but the characters brought a depth that gave the story a face. I've read that the portion of the story devoted to the relationship between Leonidas and his Queen Gorgo was added for the movie as it did not originally appear in the graphic novel. I think it leant humanity to the story and I'm glad they added it. Not only are we presented with Spartan Warriors whose patriotism and subsequent heroism can only be called awesome, but in Lena Headey's Queen Gorgo we get a view of all Spartans full of similar strength and pride. In one scene in which Xerxes' messenger asks Leonidas by what right a woman speaks to him, her response, "because only Spartan women give birth to real men" is an example of the pride I mention and of some of the fine one-liners this movie offers. The Queen carries this pride throughout the story. At no point did I have any trouble believing the characters nor notice the actor rather than the character. Suspension of disbelief happened early and stayed with me for the entire film.
Aesthetically the film is consistent throughout. Everything is suffused with either a golden or silver glow that lends warmth or chill to a particular scene. The CGI is seamless and it's very difficult to discern where pure celluloid ends and CGI begins beyond what common sense tells you simply isn't possible. The feel of the graphic novel becomes foundational without being distracting.
The battle scenes, which comprise the bulk of the movie, are reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings battle scenes. Slow motion for emphasis is used in much the same way it was used in Troy. There is no shortage of blood and guts, but at no time did I feel like I was being inundated with it so that I wouldn't notice the movie. It was used to propel the story, not in lieu of.
Finally, the entire cast is just beautiful to look at. Literally everyone in this film is ripped and oiled and nearly naked. Most of them look like some variation of Brad Pitt in Troy (whom I thought was the only reason to see Troy). If at any time I was distracted then it was while watching a muscle ripple across a thigh or abdomen; or while appreciating a perfect, classic contrapposto stance. I have been a fan of Gerard Butler since Timeline and knew, after watching his turn in the second Lara Croft movie, that he was physically beautiful. Even having seen all the the trailers and 'making of' snippets, I was not prepared for Mr. Butler's physical beauty and presence. Rodrigo Santoro's Xerxes is nothing short of stunning (those of you who watch "Lost" may recognize him as "Paulo"). I was surprised to discover that David Wenham (Faramir of The Lord of the Rings) has a prominent role as Dilios, who tells the story, and more surprised with his physique.
In this presentation there are 300 Spartans who are joined by at least twice as many Acadians. Inevitably the Acadians abandon the Spartans, but don't let that be a downer as the end is typically hollywood upbeat (well, it's upbeat if you know how the end of the story goes to begin with).
About 20 minutes into the movie I needed to use the bathroom. I did not get up until the end of the movie, though. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and loath to miss anything. I may go to see this at the theater again - something I almost never do.
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