Review: 300

Shirts off, grease on, boys. We're going to war. Comic book war.

If there was ever a true representation of a graphic novel on the big screen, this is it. Based on Frank Miller and Lynn Varley’s graphic novel of the same name, 300 takes panels and dialogue directly taken from the novel without losing their original effect or grandeur - a great credit to director Zack Snyder.

First off, do not take this film as a history lesson. Sure, the basic premise of 300 Spartans and a bunch of Greeks battling a million Persians at Thermopylae is close enough to the legend, but I’m pretty sure that they would have worn more than loincloths and weren’t battling mutants from faraway Asia. If you manage to get over that tiny detail, 300 is a most enjoyable movie, and quite easily a contender for film of the year.

The basic story of 300 follows the legendary/historical tale of 300 Spartans holding out the invading Persian army in a small narrow pass in the hope that the rest of the Greek army will soon arrive. Saying any more would utterly spoil the film, although the history of this battle is well known. If you have read the original graphic novel and not yet seen the film (shame on you), be comforted that this follows the novel faithfully. Besides the addition of a few extra mutants and fantasy elements, the only noticeable thing added to the film, is a story involving the Queen of Sparta and Spartan politics. This mainly serves as an intermission between bloodbaths.

Gerard Butler is perfectly cast as King Leonidas. Unlike recent “sword and sandal” films where the “heroic” leader is a little wuss, here is a king you would die following. He has a magnificent presence on screen and quite frankly, kicks ass. Australian David Wenham appears as Dilios, the Spartan storyteller who narrates and takes part in the epic battle. It is quite off-putting to see Faramir with ripped abs, but he plays the part well, as does the rest of the supporting cast.

The film is shot beautifully and is like watching art in motion. Each frame is carefully crafted, each cue to slow motion perfectly timed. You could probably turn off all sound and just appreciate the cinematographer’s brilliant work. As soon as you see 300’s Spartan Phalanx in action, you will realise that no other movie has even come close to getting it right. Spartans were indeed bred for war, and this shows just how good they were.

Long shots of principal Spartan characters dismembering and utterly decimating the enemy are great to watch and a testament to the actors who had to participate in what surely would have been a physically gruelling film shoot. Although the music sometimes sounds a bit too much like Gladiator’s score, it is well suited to the film. It is also refreshing to see that out of nowhere, some metal kicks in - no other music could ever suit the Spartans better. A shame there wasn’t more.

Ultimately, 300 is a definite must-see film, for history fans, action fans, comic fans, or for just about anybody who can stomach some decapitations and dismembering. As long as you can handle the violence and can get over the fantasy elements, you will find one of the most entertaining and well-made films of recent times. An instant classic.