Movies Reviews
Movie Review: 300
By Evrim Ersoy Mar 7, 2007, 11:54 GMT
Based on the epic graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a ferocious retelling of the ancient Battle of Thermopylae in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes and his massive Persian army. Facing insurmountable odds, their valor and sacrifice inspire all of Greece to unite against their Persian enemy, drawing a line in the sand for democracy. The film brings Miller’s (Sin ...more
Zack Synder has proved himself to be a capable director albeit being a newcomer to the industry.
With his first film (a remake of the classic ‘Dawn Of The Dead’) he took on a project which many other more experienced directors would have had difficulty in handling. Remaking classics is always a razor sharp line, the director risks not only displeasing fans and aficionados but also alienating the newcomers. It was a testament to his skills and ability that he managed to pull the whole task off competently, successfully and most of all enjoyably. The ‘Dawn Of The Dead’ remake stands as an enjoyable film in its own right.
‘300’, his new project, is also a remake of sorts. Frank Miller, who was the author of the graphic novel upon which the film is based, was in turn inspired by the original epic ‘The 300 Spartans’. He took the Battle Of Thermopylae and re-told the story using the medium of comics to create something that was both different and engrossing. And it was no surprise to anyone that further adaptations would follow in the wake of the success of Frank Miller’s ‘Sin City’.
‘300’ is an historical/comic book epic heavily reliant on special effects. The entire film was shot in front of blue/green screens and there was only a single location shot through the entire filming process. Post-production was an enormously long process. There were 250 visual effects shots which were used to fill in the blue screens and the near empty-film sets.
More than 70 artists manipulated the color and look of every scene in order to get the look of the film just exact to the comic book. All in all, more than 60 million dollars was spent on the entire production.
The only question that remains is, Was it worth it?
In the eyes of this reviewer there can only be one answer to that question: A loud and clear ‘Yes’, almost like the war-cry of the Spartans. Zack Synder has gone and created what is probably one of the best comic book adaptations that has ever been released.
First the look of the film. It is not easy to know how much of the audience will be familiar with the comic but the film captures the look perfectly. The muted colours, saturated fields and the screaming hedonism of the Persian empire all jumps from the screen and plays havoc with the audience. There is not a single moment in the film when disbelief takes over or the nagging feeling that what is being shown is merely computer effects set in. What is presented is a believable whole world in which the actors seem perfectly at home.
Obviously it would be wrong to continue without pointing out some of the negative sides as well. One could say the film is too stylized and the fact the geography of the whole land remains as much a mystery at the beginning as at the end is only a testament to the comic book sensibility of the whole thing. No one should go in expecting any kind of a history lesson. This is an epic comic-book spectacle and it firmly stands its ground.
Even with the characters, there is not much effort to build anything other than the arbitrary stock. There is King Leonidas who is the very description of a ‘king’. Brave, just, fearless, he leads his man with an iron fist and a steely will. Then there is his captain (as well as his best friend) whose son is among the 300 sent to fight of the Persians. The list continues with no surprises and really, not many would expect more from such a surface film.
The main plot of the film deals with the Battle of Thermopylae where historically 300 Spartans and 700 Greeks stood and fought against the countless thousands of the Persian Army. In the film the Greek army is reduced to nothing more than a handful of trained but unskilled men whilst the 300 become the more heroic and mighty counterparts. Although history does concede that it was the Spartans who slaughtered and fought most of the Persian army, the role of the Greek Army is also undeniable. The film successfully ignores this.
As a subplot, the film also presents the attempts of Queen Gorgo, trying to convince the council of Sparta to send their armies north. The political intrigue and the betrayal of certain members of the council provide scheming behind the scenes.
One of the most surprising things about ‘300’ is how historically accurate it is. Just like the comic book it is based upon, ‘300’ takes only what can be considered small liberties with history. The Persian ‘Immortals’ are one of these liberties, presented as some sort of evil, sub-human unit rather than the elite fighters they were. Inclusion of elephants and a rhino are also completely off-kilter but add a great “epic” sense to the battle scenes. Ditto on changing the character of Ephialtes. He becomes Spartan and therefore his betrayal even more significant.
Most of the dialogue is lifted straight from the comic book and is quite laconic which is suitable for the Spartan characters. Famous historical lines are also recreated (‘Come, take them’ as the answer of the Spartans to the request of the Persian envoy to lay down their arms though supposedly was uttered by Xerses) and the whole thing is imbued with a sense of the past.
Snyder’s direction is commendable. Rather than going down the path of his peers, Snyder cuts the film in such a way that it allows whole battle scenes to look like continuous shots. This allows the audience a real sense of battle rather than the usual feeling of being lost among fast-cut MTV style direction.
The incessant zooming in and out might put off some viewers but this reviewer can honestly say that ‘300’ was probably the most enjoyment ever attained from epics of yesteryear. Blood flows freely which should come as no surprise and the whole thing plays out as an adventure intended for boys.
The set design, whatever there is of it, is impressive with costumes getting special merit for the attention paid to both the weaponry and the shields of the soldiers (especially the Spartans). However why the Spartans have to fight near nude is a question which will haunt a lot of people for a long time. Another historical inaccuracy on the director’s behalf…
Music is acceptable although it is beginning to seem like all these epics share the same five bars. Atone point, a feeling that it had been all heard before sank heavily in and did somewhat detract from the whole enjoyment. However it is the sound effects that shine, with the clangs and beats of the swords and battleground overlapping any subtlety.
‘300’ is destined to be a success. Even if it was universally panned by every reviewer from one side of the world to the other, there are enough fans out there of the original material who would give it a shot without considering it twice.
But in an astounding defiance of Hollywood blockbuster and genre rules, ‘300’ turns out to be everything a reviewer wishes for: A comic-book epic well worth experiencing not only by base fans but by all who take pleasure in tales of macho heroism.
Movie opens wide USA March 9. MPAA: Rated R
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Movies
- 1. Polisse – Movie Review
- 2. Moonrise Kingdom – Movie Review 2
- 3. Moonrise Kingdom – Movie Review
- 4. Ashley’s Ashes arrives on VOD (Exclusive Clip Added)
- 5. Chinese Zodiac Cannes Photocall Pictures
Older Talkback
page: 1
Its a shame the producers, writers and directors are bigots. The story of the Persian Empire presented in the movie is the same as all the history taught in the U.S. - completly false. How many Islamophobists did you have on the set????
The religion of Islam was formed in 600 AD, roughly 1080 years before the battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Islam and the Persian Empire share nearly nothing in common save for the geography. By the way, the events of the battle and the historical account are detailed by the Greek historian Herodotus in 450 BC, also known as “the farther of history”. Just a note from a US educated bigot.
It's just a reaffirmation of how the West sees it's culture. The line in the sand for deomocracy is a joke as well. The Persians as far as empires go were far more civil than Greeks or Romans. No slaves in Persia for one and the first charter of human rights originated in Iran. There's a copy of it in the UN headquarters. Lastly, I can't say I've met a Spartan, but know a lot of Iranians.
It's just a movie people... relax.
Hammurabi’s code was written during the Babylonian empire not the Persian. Again, this 2500 year old war has nothing to do with current-day events. The Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires are in NO way related to modern day Islamic nations or culture. The only people offended by this movie, are those making historical connections that don't exist in emperical fact.
Kian, Persian solders were slaves taken from other nations and impressed into service in the army and navy. As a matter of fact most Persian sailors at the battle of salamis could not even swim, and many died from drowning even though they were close to shore.
'However why the Spartans have to fight near nude is a question which will haunt a lot of people for a long time.'
The Spartans fought in the nude actually.
Not that there's anything wrong with that. :)
The Spartans had a good reason for fighting 'nearly naked'. A wound on bare skin would usually stay clean and heal without complication. A wound made through a cloth garment would press the threads of the garment into the wound and usually result in infection, a serious consideration in those pre-antibiotic times. Wearing clothing into battle could make a survivable wound fatal due to the resultant infection. Thus it was the practice of all the Greeks, not just the Spartans to go into battle COMPLETELY naked, except for armor.
See what the real Greeks - People whose history this movie is supposed to depict think of this cheap brainwash propaganda clip:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/08/arts/EU-A-E-MOV-Greece-300.ph p
'By ancient Persia, they refer to modern Iran — whose soldiers are portrayed as bloodthirsty, underdeveloped zombies,' he wrote. 'They are stroking racist instincts in Europe and America.'
'This is not a university lecture, it's a movie,' he wrote in the daily Eleftheros Typos. 'It's an adaptation of a comic to the big screen, and that's only how it should be judged ... When seen this way, it gets high marks.'
--
Quote taken from the website mentioned above. I also cannot wait to see this movie, looks absofreaklutely awesome.
the Persian Empire was the most powerful empire in history!! if the Persian empire went against the American Amry. the Americans would be slaughtered. Long live the Persian Empire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a Muslim. When I first heard about the Persian Empire depicted in the movie, I also felt uneasy….then I remembered that it happened even before the birth of the Prophet Isa A.S. It was about the ancient Persia, not the glorious Muslim Persia. It’s just that the first Persian messenger’s outfit looked Arabic and therefore confusing. Dean is right and fortunately not alone. Let’s admire the Spartans’ bravery and learn from history.
Isnt the movie Based on the epic graphic NOVEL by Frank Miller.. ;-)
The movie is a worthless attempt by a Zionist to hurt the image of Persians.
The first charter of human rights was made by the founder of Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great promoting racial and religious tolerance(compare him with Bush for a second).
It is amazing that how Americans are exposed to distorted facts about pretty much everything. American media should be proud of the job they have done.
Can I remind you that this is a movie? Created for entertainment? From a comic book? You want a history lesson, get the History channel (they have some awesome shows on this topic). And why does it seem to me that some people are constantly on the lookout for something they can claim racism about? Get over it! I am looking forward to seeing this visual spectacle and I'm fully able to realize it's loosely based on people and events of the past. I hope you all enjoy it too.
It's a movie; not a documentary! Some people are ignorant to think that movies are true depictions of history. My family heritage isn't all Apple Pie. I watch movies that depict my ancestors in a negative manner. I know it's a movie. It's amazing what Cyrus was able to do with Persia and how he allowed the territories he conquered to remain themselves (gov't & religion) and only pay taxes to him. A movie like this might be some people interested in history & they will research the events & discover how this movie overlooks several aspects of history. If you look for truth, don't look for it in one media outlet. Do research and compare.
wow, where did you people learn history? this movie is a slap in the face to every one of those 300 spartans. spartan's did not fight nude, they wore armour made of cloth leather and brass strips, they didn't kill a wolf to graduate to being a man, they KILL another man, well a Helot(slave) the immortal wore thin vales of cloth over their faces and had wiker(reed) shields. they never broke ranks and fought the way shown in the film
this movie is so far off the real truth of what happened there i am ashamed i even know this version of the events. my history teacher would roll over in his grave if he knew this film was out there, of course he is alive but telling him about it would kill him. and by the way when was the last time a spartan warrior had a small pox vaccine scar on his left shoulder?
there is such a thing as poetic licsence, but these movie maker butchered the truth and would have been one of those babies left to die in the pile of bones. if you want the real truth and want to feel the inspiration of these 300 spartans, then watch the history channel and find out what really happened.
For lack of reason, weaker men are left without grasping the true glory of this tale. Leave the thinking, and fighting, to true men. It is the greatest cadence of virtue that a man should fight, long, hard, strong and well, with every muscle, for the truth of life. The price of reason is the acceptance of the deepest truth, and the fortitude to defend it. We are but husks of true men until we ravage the enemy of fear within and accept our place as founders of heaven, for within every man, lays the wellspring of love, the mortar and stone on which the bond of the family of mankind is built. Now that's a good start,... this movie is awsome.
The biggest piece of trash I have ever seen. The least the producer could have done was to be honest and at least close to reality about the appearance of Persians. I am wondering, hasn't anyone involved in the production of this movie ever seen the sculptures in the remains of persepolis? If not then they have no right to make such historical movie. And if they have seen and this is their impression of the appearance of the persians, they should definitely be retarded.
This is an obvious example of racism and purposefully wrong representation of facts for fooling the American public.
great movie. but historically wrong, First of all there were no 'Black' people in persian army and we werent anything near tyrant-looking animals. Persians are not trolls or orcs, Frank Miller should read some books about persia and persian civilization before wasting his time making a novel about them. I'm wondering why in every movie and in every story persians are shown as 'evil sub-humans' that try to take greek people's precious 'democracy' from them. The fact is, You people never try to learn. If we have done something like this to jews or western nations the whole world calls it 'an insult to history' but when someone hurts our civilization's proud history no one gives a crap about it. Yes this is not a documentry movie BUT this CRAP is being watched by much more people than a documentry movie. It has already made a dark image about iranians and their history, We have already a bad reputation. The only thing we are proud of is our history and culture...this movie screwed that too.
great movie. but historically wrong, First of all there were no 'Black' people in persian army and we werent anything near tyrant-looking animals. Persians are not trolls or orcs, Frank Miller should read some books about persia and persian civilization before wasting his time making a novel about them. I'm wondering why in every movie and in every story persians are shown as 'evil sub-humans' that try to take greek people's precious 'democracy' from them. The fact is, You people never try to learn. If we have done something like this to jews or western nations the whole world calls it 'an insult to history' but when someone hurts our civilization's proud history no one gives a crap about it. Yes this is not a documentry movie BUT this CRAP is being watched by much more people than a documentry movie. It has already made a dark image about iranians and their history, We have already a bad reputation. The only thing we are proud of is our history and culture...this movie screwed that too.
This is a very racist movie - It does not make it OK just because they yell, 'Pile those Persians high!' instead of 'Pile those Jews [or Armenians or substitute your favorite ethnic group here] high!” This is just one example. There are many more subliminal racist messages in this movie. Another example, Greeks and Persians have very similar physical features. In this movie Persians are made to be dark skinned and deformed. There are multiple levels of racism right there. One, showing darker skinned people as evil. Two, showing Persians as dark skinned. Three, showing deformed people as evil and not deserving of our sympathy. Do you remember another minority group being depicted as sub-human and deformed in the very recent past (hint, you don’t have to go back 2500 years)?
This film is such as untruth movie i have ever heard about. Be a man! don't show people stupid idea !!!!!!if you think that persian people are kind of animal or whatever so what do you think about AMERICAN PEOPLE ???? You Don't have to even think AMERICAN PEOPLE as a ANIMAL !!!!!! LOLOLOLOL
Hollywood is twisting the history for money. The movies are becoming more disgusting than ever like the video games, killing and blood. It never stops.
To Jeff,
Yeah it is just a movie like 'The Passion of the Christ'. Move on Hollywood, Just ruin the reputation of the greatest empire on earth and all nations but never dare to question JEWISH history, right?
Iranians respect to all of the world`s people`s cultures,so respection to our glorious and ancient history is our expectation. VIVA XERXES
It's a racist movie - There is not much outcry because it is racist against people we have been conditioned to love to hate. Common, speak up darker skinned, ugly people!
This is a movie based on a comic book. In comic books no matter who the bad guy is he is usually 'hideous' (whether his looks, or his attitude, or both). It may have some racist tones (as quoted earlier about piling the Persians high), but once again this is from a comic book. A comic book based on an event that happened 1000s of years ago. 1000s of years ago (even as recently as 50) racism was prevalent. This is not something that we can deny, only work towards erasing in the future. Once again, I'm not saying it's right...I'm just saying it's only a movie based on a comic book, based on events that happened 1000s of years ago. Get over it.
And a really good movie at that. I certainly didn't mind the nearly nude Spartans. As a matter of fact, I'm trying to convince my husband to head back to the gym...
This movie is about 300 Spartan versus 250'000 or more suicide bombers! (I am not kidding! Go and see the movie to believe me.) Persian were dressed like current terrorists with covered or masked faces. Even there were old fashioned bombs in their hands in one of the scene to give a false message to the mind of audience that such habit was common in their society for thousands of years! This was the ultimate stupidity of the director, Mr. Zack Snyder and his wife Deborah, the producer, and the rest of the crews to make a film project with no substance in any aspect of art, history, and philosophy. Remember the message in the movie 'Polar Express' that Santa exists. 'Seeing is believing!' 300 movie has messages of its own. See Persian, as we portrayed, and believe it!
300 is an 'assumed' epic movie, made in a completely and technically in an artificial environment, became a total failure. So, What is the message of the movie 300? In one of the scenes, a father whose son was beheaded by Persian told to his leader: 'I feel a lot of hate in my heart against Persian'. The Spartan king responded: 'Good!' A group of narrow minded or absent minded people decided to inject a high dose of 'hatred' to the veins of their audience to induce hostility against barbarian Persian terrorists. Indeed, the intention of the director was to make Persian angry. That was the main reason he tried to stay away from the details about such historical event.
'Complete madness' was the lack of knowledge of the crew throughout this movie. No one during the process of pre-production, production, and post-production has ever asked himself / herself that :' Wait, What the hell are we doing?' Nobody investigated about the appearance of a Persian king or soldier.The true identity of Persian remained obscured entirely. There were no brief introduction, references to a real person or certain location. Persian came out of nowhere like a swam of rats. I am sure that many teenagers and adults, who are unfamiliar with the historical background of such battle, could not learn anything from this movie.
Persian women were shown as lesbians and prostitutes who did not mind performing sexual acts with a badly disfigured traitor who betrayed Spartan. The Persian king looked like a nine-feet tall bald naked man with a lot of eye make up. The gay king was constantly naked and his terrorist solders were constantly covered. Strangely, his face was saturated with many pierced rings and numerous necklaces. What was going on in the mind of Mr. Frank Miller whose graphic novel inspired such movie? Stone-minded Oliver Stone only showed Far Vehar in 'Alexander' and portaited Persian as gay men and this movie showed only the twin goats out of the whole Persian civilization! Has anybody, who participated in this movie, ever bothered himself to investigate, to investigate, and to investigate? They did an awful job to demonize Persian as triple-rowed- teeth monster, Crab-handed monster and some other decapitating man-eater. What a dumb idea! They borrowed those monstrous Persian (!) elephants left over from Lord of the rings and King Kong to drop them off the cliffs if the massive rhino was not enough! What about using few massive dinosaurs? Who were the target audience? What an embarrassment!
Overall, 300 is loaded with a lot of bovine(!) testosterone, brutal action scenes, and propaganda. Gerard butler and most actors including an Iranian(!) did a lot of hard work to move the audience by emotion, to make a legend, and to develop a new Spartacus, a new hero besides all 'Heroes' on NBC, Superman, Spiderman, and Capital America. The blockbuster formula did not work. This movie will go in the dusty corner of your video store next to Alexsander very soon. I will not be surprised if all action figures of this movie do not sell as well as the interactive game of 300! Nothing was working including script, real and animated characters, the king, and the queen. When I was leaving the theater, only one person started clapping for the movie!
Do you guys seriously think, that hollywood movies are suppose to be truthful? If some where, than you would see a 'Based on a real life events' and even then, they lie to you. I never heard the trailers of '300' say this 'Based on a real life events' sentence once. Now you some of you(Judging from your comments) think that the producer is racist, and think he is also a stupid untruthful liar about history--BUT, he is taking this from a comic book and adapting it into a movie. Here is a bit from wikipedia :
Controversies:
The film has attracted controversy over the portrayal of the Persians. Greek critic Dimitris Danikas claimed the film showed Persians as 'bloodthirsty, underdeveloped zombies,' and went on to say, 'They are stroking (sic) racist instincts in Europe and America.'[62] The president of Iran's Art Affairs Advisory also expressed strong condemnation over the movie which he said insulted the Persian civilization. Javad Shamqadri, who is also a filmmaker, said the film specifically had racist intentions but called the film's effort fruitless however, saying, 'values in Iranian culture are too strongly seated to be damaged by such plans.'
As in the graphic novel, the Persians are depicted as a barbaric and demonic horde, while the Persian emissary and King Xerxes are depicted as androgynous. This meant to stand in stark contrast to the masculinity of the Spartan army. The ancient Persian kings did not present themselves as deities.
Furthermore the 'bad guys' the Persians are depicted as black people, brown people, handicapped or deformed people, gays and lesbians. One deformed hunchback, Ephialtes plays the role of a Spartan traitor who betrays Leonidas for favors from Xerxes.
This may be true, but then again--you have to think about it. This is a american made hollywood movie.
The philosopher and soldier of fortune Xenophon admired the Persian king Cyrus and wrote a book on the superiority of the Persian to Greek education. Herodotus the main chronicler of the dual Persian expeditions under both Darius (492 B.C.) and Xerxes (480 B.C.) never attempted to dehumanize – let alone, demonize – them. His account of Xerxes’ invasion reads like a Greek tragedy where Gods tempt a tragic hero into a self destructive course.
It is instructive to compare this movie’s Orientalist vision of a savage Persian king to Herodotus description: “Among all this multitude of men there was not one who, for beauty and stature, deserved more than Xerxes himself to wield so vast a power.”
It is instructive to compare this movie’s Orientalist vision of a savage Persian king to Herodotus description: “Among all this multitude of men there was not one who, for beauty and stature, deserved more than Xerxes himself to wield so vast a power.” Only a decade after the events portrayed in this movie the preeminent Greek playwright Aeschylus dedicated a tragedy to the Persians. The play was not a triumphalist ode to heroes of Marathon, Salamis, Thermopylae or Platea. Staged at the Persian court in Susa, it was about Persian grief. The play’s protagonists were Xerxes, the queen mother Atosa and the ghost of her husband, the first invader of Greece, Darius. It described the Greeks and Persians as: “sisters of one race... flawless in beauty and grace.” And the Greeks openly wept in their amphitheaters, not for their own but for their enemy’s tragic end. A century and a half later when Alexander of Macedon invaded Iran and burned Persepolis, the Iranians would return the favor. They preferred to eulogize their invader and remember him not as a vandal but as a prophet in search of eternal life and wisdom.
This message board makes me want to cry. Leave it to America to turn a movie which does not claim to be historical fact, and in fact is stylized to help viewers avoid this conclusion, and someone is going take racist exception to it. I think of the South Park where the children put on a completely un-offensive Christmas play, but there is such little substance that the play is completely absurd. Who watched the previews to this movie and thought anything other than 'This looks like an awesome bloodbath movie!'? I'm betting that the Persians were made to be dark-skinned because dark-skinned people are more recognizable as Easterners, not because every person in ancient Persia was black. They are hideous because they are the beasts in this movie. We would expect a Persian portrayal of the battle to have the Greeks demonized, but a million against 1000 doesn't make for a really suspenseful movie, does it?
I just want to read a message board that says 'I'm not into violent movies. I didn't like it.' Or 'It's a great 'guy' movie', not one where I get lectured by amateur historians who no doubt learned their culture's side of the story. Or worse, people that were just looking to pick a racist bone with something, no matter how absurd their chosen subject.
It is absolutely an outrage. What is next? This movie is nothing but trying to deviate the history. It is absolut crap and has no meaning and value. Persian history is full of gelory and pride and this is what matters.
Do you retards even read other comments? I said, Do you really expect a movie that doesnt come near to even saying 'based on true events' is really going to give you a history lesson? The persains were a great empire, but everyone has their losses. On 480 BC at the battle of Salamis they lose. Xerxes withdrew and returned to Persia. It doesnt matter that this movie, says that the persain empire is formed of all (what people have called them in other comments) 'Arabs' and 'Blacks'. I know it may seem a racist, but I am asian, i know how it feels--even though my 'race' isn't included. On the otherhand, it takes pride in a way, that they actually included your races IN the movie. Look at the Last Samurai--Tom Cruise, Wannabe asian? I'd rather put me in that movie(nothing against him).
ITS A MOVIE, DEAL WITH IT. IF YOU WANT A HISTORY LESSON WATCH THE HISTORY CHANNEL, THEY DID SOMETHING ON the '300' SPARTANS.
I know this movie isnt based on real history(besides the fact that there was 300 spartans.) The oracle says to respect the whataever(the full moon thing) in the movie, yet she really says that Sparta will fall, or a Spartan king shall fall(something like that).
FACE IT, ALL OF YOU SAYING ITS RACIST or NOT A HISTORY LESSON. DEAL WITH IT. ITS HOLLYWOOD. RACISM? WHO CARES ITS BEEN AROUND FOREVER? DONT BELIEVE ME? WHY DOES THE KKK STILL EXISTS? WHY DOES MY FRIEND HATE BLACKS? WHY DOES MY FRIEND HATE MEXICANS? WHY DOES MY FRIEND HATE EVERY OTHER ASIAN EXCEPT ME? deal with it, everybody has a little racism in them, and YOU know it.
Mike u REALLY believe US retards even BOTHER themselves reading facts? NAH! infact they just have a 400 year old history. They dont understand how to be proud of their history...SO obviously THEY DONT CARE ABOUT OTHER NATION's HISTORY AND CULTURE EITHER.
face it, US people just say 'Its just a movie you iranian retards.' because Its not about them. All they care is 'BLOODBATH' and 'VIOLENCE'.
Imagine an iranian comic drawer makes a comic about (HOLOCAUST is a myth) or (Good Nazis in WW2) and someone makes a movie about it. The whole world goes on explosion, In that time no one cares if we say 'Its just based on a comic.'
You can't compare a simple film like 300 to something HUGE like the Holocaust. It's called a fallacy, Fault Analogy. You can't have something too little compared to something big. In 300 only a couple thousand died--Compared to the Holocaust 11 million people died. I understand where you are coming from but the Iranies aren't called the Persians now are they? I know if someone made a movie based on a comic book about your so called good nazis might spark out some controversy, but it would only because WORLD WAR 2 was a big thing, NOT the BATLLE OF THERMOPYLAE. So, you think i'm retarded now? I hope you and your little idiot friends can finally say it's just a movie, that isn't too big.
And if you still think i'm retarded, You should read my comment ^ (again).
P.S. please read my comment, I took time to prove you $ that 300 isn't a big problem.
that $ = Stupid, i tried to spell out Stoopid with ACSII, guess it doesn't work. Just trying to make you idiots look stupid-er.
persians = iranians
both names can be used.
Mmm Mike you should really educate yourself.
We are still called persians MR.genius infact our country was still called persia untill the end of WW1, Both names are used nowadays (not for non-iranian ancestors like iranian-arabs who live in south parts of iran and declare they are have arabic ancestors).
The image holywood makes about us affects many people's way of thinking. Its the power of the media, Today you see the movie and the next day when someone says iran you remember the image of iranians in the movie '300'. Even if you know its not true. Thats why we'r angry about holywood, Theyr making too much crap and they are really passing their red line.
(not for non-iranian ancestors like iranian-arabs who live in south parts of iran and declare they are have arabic ancestors).
should be :
(not for people with non-iranian ancestors like iranian-arabs who live in south parts of iran and declare they are have arabic ancestors).
fine, ill just call all you iranies, persians--you want me to? ill beat you all to h*** like they did in 300.
Mmmm It was 300 against 3 thousand or some.(not a million)
and
The Battle of Thermopylae took place in a very narrow passageway where spartans have built a wall to prevent the persian army from invading.(a stone wall)
Well i think we made the message clear that its historically wrong. At least we didnt blow ourselves for it.
im quite shocked by some of the sincere nonesense which has been written on this page. People being apologists for the Persian empire which fielded armies of slaves, an empire which tried to envade the Greek peninsula 3 times but thankfully got crushed every time (how you can defend an army that gives a man a sword or spear and nothing else against professional soldiers I dont know)
People then saying that there were no black people in the Persian empire, it rules half their known world at its peak including parts of northern Africa, get your history straight, and the person who claimed the Persians invaded with 3,000 is inasane, adding support troops and logistics they entered Greece with knocking on for 1,500,000.
This film is not racist, its about a real event where an overpowering empire tried to envde and destroy the most local threat to its cleptomania. I also find it sickining and disespectful when people jump on some sort of sick bandwagon and claim this film is anything more than an action adventure. Also can people please get over this whole link between Islam and the Persian empire, The Persian empire was based on a percieved devine kingship at the time, not the religion of today. Anyone who takes it that far is out of line.
Im not American, I just think people getting on high horses about this being some sort of American McCarthy esque thing need their heads looking at!!!
Ahh. Action and Adventure and Controversy !!! What many people have forgotten and maybe perhaps did not get ? Remamber the guy at the end of the film with ONE EYE ? He was telling a story to his men. HE WAS TELLING A STORY !! All of the exagerated facts were told from the POV of that character.
It was a tall tale. That's how legends are born. Frank Miller writes stories. He had no political motivation whatsoever. So please .. if you don't like it ? You don't ever have to buy the DVD.
I like that...everytime I leave a comment on whatever subject. That shuts the door. Whatever it may be 300, Super man , Lindsay Lohan, Melinda Doolittle, Grindhouse or opie and Anthony. I really have a way with words.
300 movie Message For The Queen Tyler Bates Music is PLAGIARISM .Tyler Bates PLUNDER The Bulgarian folklore Music...
I've got to agree with MaCaffery there. If the character narrating the story had told his men the Persians were 'actually quite smart dressed chaps who could wield a sword to match their own skill...' I don't think they would have had the motivation they did. Also, History is always written by the victors. However true they wish to tell it is another matter but this film is not meant to be a documentary.
If people begin to get offended by parts of films that are not accurate enough for them, then please stop and think about the grand scale of things and then contemplate if it is really worth it. It is a film (of which I enjoyed) and in the end it has gained such attention and publicity from both opinions of good and bad that it's actually being talked about.
Each to their own, guys.
I really did not like this movie on many different levels certain historic inacurasies bad acting poor direction sound effects were louder than the people the person playing xerxes wasnt even persian i could go on and on. and about the blood flowing freely no there were hardly any realistic fight scenes with blood yes ther was plent of decapitation and limb severing but never an accurate if any amount of blood from the wounds. all and all i wish i could go back in time and stop myself from watching this movie there was no intelligent thought behind it. but to each there own i guess.
Sorry to hear you did not enjoy the movie 300. I know you are entitled to your opinion so allow me to rebut.....
The acting was good. It was a bit over the top at moments and they really played up their parts but it was not poor.
Keep in mind it was written by a comic book creator so the overly dramatic deliveries were intentional.
As for the sound I think you may have to adjust your tv or sound system. Mine was perfect.
Blood? Too much flying around and not enough on the SPARTANS for the amount that was gushing about. Not within the continuity of the action. Good movie good review good comments.
It's been a pleasure Holly we should do this more often.
People need to stop crying over spilled milk. The general theme to most movies is the hero is a strong, perfect specifimen of a human and the protagonist is usually the ugly, evil looking villain. So what? Who cares? They aren't trying to make a political statement. And it's based on a comic book. Would you get pissed off if Spiderman saved New York City from an attack from muslim extremist? Even though it would probably offend some, it's not like the muslim extremist don't exist. This world can be very ugly. I have seen the middle east up close and personal. I was deployed to Iraq on 3 different occassions. I do think there are some very amazing things in that country, some of the most fascinating history took place in that region. At the same time I lost both of my legs in that country to an IED that insurgents set off while I was going to the aid of another Marine.
With that said, don't take things so personal and just realize somethings are made solely with the intent of being entertainment. And excersize your right not to watch things that are going to upset you.
yeah !
This movie is propaganda by zionist hollywood.
The aim is to brainwash people to glorify the American and European genocide in the middleast.
Ofcourse you can examine the details and say no it isnt BUT the undertone is there. It is obvious what the director is trying to do here. The time this movie was released is also a major hint.
Some will say movies dont affect peoples judgement? Ofcourse it does. Especially in America where people spend more time watching entertainment than anyone else.
The zionist trash always do this.
I am getting really sick of this zionist brainwashing. I have stopped watching TV because of this.
300 is perhaps one of the worst propaganda even by zionist standards.
I remembered another thing.
The idea of dark skinned persian invaders is meant to depict Immigrants coming into western countries. They are supposed to be evil people trying to take over the west.
Undertone shmundertone..it's a movie. Nobody put anymore thought into it than that....only Islamies and coloreds think everything is a conspiacy...move to Scotland and I'll show you conspiracy.
page: 1
William PalevedaMar 7th, 2007 - 23:14:19
The reviewer starts out saying that this is a great historical movie, which makes it sound like most audiences would enjoy it. then, toward the end of his review, he says this: 'Blood flows freely which should come as no surprise and the whole thing plays out as an adventure intended for boys.'
Had he said this at the beginning of his review, I wouldn't have bothered reading further.
Report this comment