From Deseret News archives:
300
Film review
The new film "300" is cartoonish in more ways than one. This blood-soaked, washed-out, would-be historical epic is based on the well-received comic book miniseries from "Sin City" creator Frank Miller.
It's a faithful adaptation, one that re-creates specific panels from the comic. But like Miller's work, it's also grotesquely over-the-top in terms of its characterizations, going even further with grotesque performances and graphic violence. (How a film this ultraviolent skirted by with an R rating instead of an NC-17 is anyone's guess.)
The film is also quite action-heavy, which turns out to be its saving grace. The lengthy and rousing battle scenes are enough to outweigh most of the clunkier aspects ... sometimes just barely.
The story is based on the possibly mythical tale of the Battle of Thermopylae. According to history, 300 Spartan warriors repelled an invading Persian army that drastically outnumbered them (these events also inspired a 1962 movie version, "The 300 Spartans").
Back home, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) hopes to rally the full Spartan army. But the duplicitous politician Theron (an oily Dominic West) deliberately stalls that debate. And it may be too late. The Persian king Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro, from TV's "Lost") is sending wave after wave of soldiers at the determined Spartans, who can't hold the line forever.
Co-writer/director Zack Snyder's film borrows its computer-crafted look from the movie version of Miller's "Sin City," which also featured CGI backgrounds and characters.
And the film also owes an obvious debt to "Gladiator" and the martial-arts epic "Hero" as well as the "Lord of the Rings" movies. ("Rings" co-star David Wenham also appears here, narrating a few segments.)
Speaking of "Gladiator," Butler's blustery performance was clearly inspired by Russell Crowe, though it has none of Crowe's subtlety.
"300" is rated R for wall-to-wall graphic violence and gore (swordfire, arrowfire, slashings, stabbings, beheadings, creature attacks and explosive mayhem), male and female nudity, simulated sex and some sexual violence, and some sexually suggestive talk and humor. Running time: 117 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
Comments
Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West, Vincent Regan, Rodrigo Santoro
Find a Movie Theater
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
473 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
68 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...
Look at the preview for Pixar's "Up". The whole move is summarized in...





You can be the first to comment on this story.