300

300

9 out of 10

Running time: 1:57

MPAA rating: PG-13 (Graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.)

Peruvian rating: Mayores de 18

Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Vincent Regan, Rodrigo Santoro
Director: Zack Snyder
Script: Zack Snyder & Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon, based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
Photography: Larry Fong
Score: Tyler Bates
Distributor: Warner Brothers

Since this web site is relatively new, not many people know that I was pretty enthusiastic towards Robert Rodriguez's Sin City. Yeah, it was pretty violent and all, but the visuals were breath-taking, and the movie as a whole was pretty amazing. Zack Snyder's 300 reminds me of that movie. Based, again, on Frank Miller's graphic novel, the film is simply amazing from a visual standpoint. As it was in the case of Sin City, it seems as if the comic has merged with the movie; the digital backgrounds are amazing to see and, although the film's plot is relatively simple, it's never boring, and unlike other comic-book-based or special effects-laden motion pictures, the acting is solid as well as the action-oriented script and the visual direction.

The film tells the story - albeit in a stylized way - of the battle between 300 Spartans - led by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) - an a million Persians - led by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro.) As the battle develops in Thermopylae, Leonidas' wife, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) tries to convince the Spartan council to send more soldiers to back up the King, but she's being stopped by a corrupted politician. (Dominic West.) By the way, the whole story is told from the perspective of a Spartan messenger (David Wenham) who also participated in the majority of battles.

So, what is the film's major attraction? Much like Sin City, the movie is visually breath-taking. The movie was shot almost completely against bluescreens, with the backgrounds digitally created. These techniques give the film a really interesting look, really surreal and stylized. The battles are pretty kinetic and, apart from working on a visceral level, they also work as eye candy, thanks to the special effects. Additionally, the CGI gives the audience many memorable scenes or shots, which are simply amazing to see: Persians arriving to Sparta (in slow-mo and with a chilling male chorus as musical background); the cloud of arrows flying through the skies; Persians ships sinking in the middle of a surreal storm, or the gigantic Persian army approaching in battle.

In terms of acting, the film surprised me. When I go to see a film like this, I normally expect tense action sequences - which it has -, or breath-taking special effects - which it also has. But 300 also boast some pretty good acting. Gerard Butler as King Leonidas shouts a lot and gives a performance full of rage and passion; just what the character needs. Even though Lena Headey doesn't fight, she's got lots of dialogue and her scenes addressing the Spartan council are effective. (Additionally, she has a steamy sex scene with Butler which works in more than one level.) The rest of the cast are mainly Spartan soldiers - David Wenham as the messenger and Vincent Regan as the general are the most significant, and their acting is solid. Dominic West as Theron the corrupt is pretty menacing, and Rodrigo Santoro as King Xerxes is unrecognizable; he makes a great bad guy.

So, is 300 recommendable? Of course, but you have to go with an open mind. If you're a conservative filmgoer, then all the violence, gore, sex scenes, deformed monsters and digital effects won't attract you. But if you like this kind of thing, and you want to be marveled in a pretty visual level, then this movie is for you. The plot is simple but interesting, the performances are solid, the special effects are breath-taking, and the battle scenes are tense are gorgeous to watch. It's quite a spectacle.