Comments on: Movie Review – 300 (2007) [James Brigham]

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:51:11 +0000

I didn’t care for 300 and I believe it was /because/ I had read the comic book. The movie isn’t just faithful, it’s exactly the same with nothing new to offer. It was almost to the point where I was mouthing the words that the characters were speaking. I think if I had not read the comic beforehand I would have enjoyed it more. Oscarworthy? I think the effects could receive a nod. The story is acceptable even if it is a typically heavy-handed Frank Miller story where the hero is always Batman and the villains are always woefully out of their depth. For 300 battling against 300,000 there certainly was never so much as a hint that they were in danger until they were betrayed by another Spartan. Still, the action was handled nicely and I liked how the lines were delivered in an almost Old Hollywood style. Even if it failed for me in many respects I was very happy to see a movie like 300 not only get made but be so successful. I know every film can’t be a daring visual experiment so seeing one be so successful was very satisfying at least.

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 13:30:30 +0000

I loved 300. Loved it. I liked Sin City a lot and in some ways it was a superior film (the “look” of Sin City is an unparalleled achievement and there is incredible depth and quality in the cast), but the misanthropy kept tugging at the edges of my enjoyment. 300 has strong, thought provoking substance to match its visual glories. As James points out, 300 is principally a tribute to the Spartans’ sacrifice and a celebration of the historical significance of that sacrifice and of the legacy of the classical world.

To pick up on Rishi’s question, it is most appropriate to compare 300 to Black Hawk Down (which I also loved, once it moved past the “conflict context” talking head scenes of its beginning and got down to business). Both films represent the immediate experience of combat and explore the reasons men fight (training, comrades, family, ideals). BHD excelled at conveying the vicarious feeling of being there in the midst of the combat. 300 has a wider thematic focus and a strongly developed political consciousness. Both are excellent films, but the Academy will never take 300 seriously because of its provenance and fantastical elements.

By: Rishi

Rishi — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:28:55 +0000

I do completely agree with Jeff here, but just to play devil’s advocate (because James is the devil, I guess), I am curious how people would compare this film to Black Hawk Down. That film was essentially a long action sequence with anonymous characters and sparse dialogue, and it won two Oscars (and was nominated for two more). 300 is unlikely to win anything except for possibly Visual Effects.

By: Jeff Faulkner

Jeff Faulkner — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 10:10:01 +0000

Sin City is still better and more innovative. I’m still waiting for someone to prove me wrong that good writing and dialog ultimately makes for a complete feature other than a pretty looking picture that manipulates film motion more often than need be. Braveheart, Gladiator, and ones of the type are much better movies than this. Why? Because they have better writing and care for the characters. It did not fulfill my expectations of being an iconoclastic film, but it is making money indeed and all is mute in point since money makes all the difference, right?

By: Jeff Faulkner

Jeff Faulkner — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:18:24 +0000

I hate to say…you’re wrong James.