The brave 300

And the title alone has already elicited a response, I’m sure, whether it be cheers and resounding agreements or a nod of disbelief at how I felt moved enough by this film to devote an entire column to it. Either way I don’t care — I loved this movie and those of you out there who enjoyed it as much as I did can understand why I would find it fitting to pay homage to it in my humble corner.

I’m sure by now everyone has seen this unbelievable piece of work directed by Zack Snyder and based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. If you haven’t seen it yet, hurry up before it leaves (this is not a "DVD only" film; you have to see it on the big screen!). Miller’s original graphic novel was actually published as a series of five comic books titled Honor, Duty, Glory, Combat, and Victory in 1998, when it won many accolades. A year later these comics were combined to form the 300 graphic novel upon which the epic movie is based. It is fictionalized accountof the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC in which 300 brave Spartans stood against the massive armies of King Xerxes of Persia in the name of honor, glory and freedom.

300 is based, loosely of course, on real events in history but dramatized in such a way as to ensure these events are remembered for all eternity, something which was actually the dearest wish of the brave Spartan King Leonidas. He knew there was no way for the battle to be won, especially when they were betrayed by one of their own, so he hoped that their sacrifice would inspire others to pick up where they left off and rally together to fight for a free Greece by showing them that others were willing to make a stand and that even a God-King can bleed. And inspire the people it did. Watching it even now in the 21st century, I was inspired. It reminded me of how precious a thing freedom really is and how many of us take it for granted now that it is afforded to us so easily. We tend to forget that people fought tooth and nail for centuries to be able to call themselves free men. As the brave Queen Gorgo put it "freedom is not free, it is paid for in blood…"

And that’s not the only quotable line in the film. Indeed, this movie is a veritable melting pot of one-liners mostly said by the main Spartan man himself, King Leonidas. Lines like "Prepare for Glory" and "Ready your breakfast and eat hearty, for tonight we dine in hell" are already immortalized in movie-line history and are lines I’ve heard several of my male friends rattling off to each other. Personally, I like the lines of the feminist Queen, whose opinion is valued more than anyone’s by her husband (that’s how it should be, men!), as she says phrases like "Only Spartan women give birth to real men." I admire how she does her part to help her King by fighting on the home front to send the entire army to his aid. I appreciated that they were a team and, movie aside, I think most marriages would benefit from this type of mutual respect and support.

Yes, I really loved this film. I just think all the elements worked together to bring forth a truly excellent piece of cinematic magnificence. To begin with, I think the strongest appeal of 300 is the way the movie was shot. It was very true to the graphic novel and many times looked quite like a moving comic book, but instead of making the movie appear fake or comical I think the film style made it more arresting and poignant. The almost monochromatic backgrounds really brought out the vibrant crimson shade of the cloaks of the Spartan soldiers and the muted colors highlighted the splashes of blood and the whites of both eyes and teeth. The cinematography really made the important elements stand out and get noticed.

Now, as with most movie reviews, one may question the acting in the film. In this aspect I would have to say it was excellent in the sense that it was either muted or exaggerated accordingly. Let me say flat-out that 300 is more of a visual film propelled by its action and adventure than a character-driven story. It’s essentially a roller coaster war picture that has you applauding and cheering for the characters rather than analyzing and deconstructing. If you’re expecting to find the deepest story ever told than you’ll be sorely disappointed and you’ll miss all the wonderful fight scenes and the moving battle speeches. This isn’t Braveheart, after all, but if you ask me, I think it’s better.

Performances of note here include, of course, the amazing Gerard Butler who played the unstoppable super warrior King Leonidas. With abs of steel he led his army to that fateful glorious battle and he instilled in each of them the pride of fighting for something worth dying for. Butler has actually appeared in more than a few films in the US, although this Scottish actor is best known for his role as the Phantom in the movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical The Phantom of the Opera (yes, that is him singing!) and his role opposite Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life, though I have no doubt that 300 is now going to be his landmark film. Lena Headey did an amazing job as Leonidas’ strong mate, Queen Gorgo. This British actress has been in several movies such as Gossip, The Brothers Grimm and Jungle Book though none has showcased her quite like this film did. I thought she was exquisite.

I also really liked the hypnotic voice of storyteller and soldier Dilios played by Australian actor (very multicultural cast!) David Wenham. People probably remember him from his role as Faramir in The Return of the King, but like the other cast members of this film, 300 really saw him shine. His narration truly brought the story to life. And lastly, I have to mention this because it shocked me when I saw his name. The gold-crazy "god-king" Xerxes (who I make fun of mercilessly) was played by (the gorgeous) Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro! Yes, the same hottie who wowed women in Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle when he emerged from the sea like a bronze statue and the adorable office boy with a crush on Laura Linney in Love, Actually is the insanely annoying and — let’s face it — not-hot-at-all-addicted-to-piercings Persian King Xerxes. It’s amazing what a little makeup, gold body spray, and acting can do!

And as I mentioned the actors are only a slice of this entire movie pie. Other than the cinematography and the cast, another thing I liked about the movie that I thought really helped it achieve its goal is the appropriate rock/techno-inspired soundtrack. Now, on its own, I’m not much of a techno fan, but I really think the music worked in this film and really helped convey the chaotic mess that is war. It made the marches more intimidating and made you actually feel the adrenaline that was surely pumping through the warriors’ veins. Also, I think the music helped alleviate the gross-out factor from all the killing that was necessary to show in the film. It was inspired and I think it really helped drive the movie forward.

Can you tell I’m a fan? Well, I’ll unabashedly admit to that! To say the movie was incredible is a huge understatement. I don’t think I’ve been this moved by an epic film since Gladiator and even that did not impress me quite as much. Love it or hate it, 300 has made box office history for the month of March and will no doubt break many more records along the way. The reason for that, I think, is because this film moves people to respond to it. Whether it be with awe and admiration or with scorn and sarcasm, 300 makes you have an opinion. It strikes a chord within movie-goers and, in my opinion, that’s what all great films should strive to do!