On the one hand, 300 is just over the top.  Everywhere.  I'm sure most of that has to do with the fact that its based and patterned after Frank Miller's graphic novel (aka thick comic book) on the subject, which I've not laid eyes on.  In that respect director Zack Snyder has excelled.  Stylistically 300 is pure eye-candy.  From the heavily color keyed look, down to the strange lighting, bullet-time scenarios, freeze frames and what have you.  But that also gives it the appearance of lacking any real depth.  The entire picture is driven by the FX and the style.

But then I got to thinking, about 3/4 of the way through the picture.  You know, this is almost genius.  Compare the story as its being shown to us to other grand epics of the Greek tradition, such as "The Odyssey."  With its long and glorious tales of battle, the grandiose praising of so-and-so cutting the heads off of 10,000 enemy soldiers single-handedly in the face of the (here, literally) larger than life fearsome enemy king....  This film really lends itself to an interpretation like that.  I have to say I went from watching it with a jaded eye to looking at in that respect, and actually changed my mind.

The effects are, as they are paying homage to Miller's work, typically comicky.  I wouldn't say realistic, as well, they just aren't.  But it sure is violent.  The spraying blood patterned after ink spots, the flying severed limbs.  The over-deformed traitorous hunchback, the imposing figure of the Persian king Xerxes, and the mythically scary nature of his multitude hordes....  How can you not think of some ancient Greek sitting around a fire telling this story in just such an exaggerated and glorifying manner to a group of eager young ears.

Unfortunately, the performances had to also fit this 'comic book' nature.  Gerard Butler's King Leonidas is just pure intensity when it comes to the battle, but lacking in other aspects when required.  Lena Headey is just, well, adequate in the role of the Queen.  Everyone else is just along for the ride I think.  Rodrigo Santoro (yeah, LOST's Paulo..snicker, took me minute to place him) as King Xerxes reminds me of Ra from the Stargate Movie... but its all good!

I can't claim that 300 is in anyway an introspective look into the lives of the ancient Greeks, or a deep journey into the psyche of the soldier faced with imminent destruction...

... but I will say that once I figured out the "angle", 300 really wasn't that bad.  Not as bad as I was expecting anyway.  Not one for the kiddies, that's for sure.

Technorati Tags: war movie review, 300, 2007, spartans, greece, epic tradition, gerard butler, lena headey, rodrigo santoro, xerxes, leonidas, frank miller