2008 Woodie Awards
300 Spartans swarm into theaters
Kawther Mohammed
Issue date: 3/26/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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PROS
Engaging action fights
Dramatic
Sarcastic comedy
CONS
A few historical inaccuracies
Controversy built around the film
Over-emphasis on what real men are
300, starring Gerard Butler as King Leonidas, could not have made a history lesson more exciting. Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 tells the story of the famous Spartan soldiers (300 of them) who fought half a million Persians in the battle of Thermopylae. It should be known now that this movie is not the average sandals and swords film.
The most impressive aspect of 300 was director Zach Snyder's use of graphics. The film was shot in front of blue and green screens, with only one shot done outside. Camera positions made it easier for the audience to feel like they were right in the middle of the spear showers. Staying true to the graphic novel, the film was...well...graphic. Blood dispersed from sliced heads and everything right down to the spinal cord was shown.
In the movie, Sparta, a society built on the principles of war, puts babies from the moment they are birthed into a life or death situation-any physical disfiguration and the child is tossed over a cliff. As boys grow older, they are taught to fight in vicious, deadly ways. The girls grow to become mothers of the most real men in the world-Spartan soldiers.
A Persian man warning Sparta not to attack Persia is the opening scene of dialogue in the film. If Sparta attacks, it shall suffer from grave consequences. As the Persian man realizes he is moments away from his death, he cries out, "This is madness!" to which Leonidas replies, "Madness? This is Sparta!" and thus the 90 percent action-filled film ensues.
As the 300 Spartans march to battle, they cross paths with an Arcadian army that is made up of weaker soldiers compared to the Spartans. This is when a bit of comedy and sarcasm is incorporated into the film. Leonidas laughs at the Arcadian army for the fact that it is made up of potters, blacksmiths, and bakers.
The movie had a few moments of cheesy dialogue, and these scenes were very simple. The best acting in the film portrayed the "hooras" of the Spartan army and Lenonidas' barbaric shouting.
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