300
Sin City author Frank Miller's sweeping take on the historic Battle of Thermopylae comes to the screen courtesy of Dawn of the Dead director Zack Snyder. Gerard Butler stars as Spartan King Leonidas and Lena Headey plays Queen Gorgo. The massive army of the Persian Empire is sweeping across the globe, crushing every force that dares stand in its path. When a Persian envoy arrives in Sparta offering King Leonidas power over all of Greece if he will only bow to the will of the all powerful Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), the strong-willed leader assembles a small army comprised of his empire's best fighters and marches off to battle. Though they have virtually no hope of defeating Xerxes' intimidating battalion, Leonidas' men soldier on, intent on letting it be known they will bow to no man but their king. Meanwhile, back in Sparta, the loyal Queen Gorgo attempts to convince both the skeptical council and the devious Theron (Dominic West) to send more troops despite the fact that many view Leonidas' unsanctioned war march as a serious transgression. As Xerxes' fearsome "immortals" draw near, a few noble Greeks vow to assist the Spartans on the battlefield. When King Leonidas and his 300 Spartan warriors fell to the overwhelming Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae, the fearless actions of the noble fighters inspired all of Greece to stand up against their Persian enemy and wage the battle that would ultimately give birth to the modern concept of democracy. more..
Director: Zack Snyder
Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro, Andrew Pleavin, Bonnie Mak
Look, but don't be touched: There is much to see but little to remember in this telling of a battle we are meant never to forget.
300 is a movie blood-drunk on its own artful excess. Guys of all ages and sexes won't be able to resist it.
Significantly, this hyper-stylization of 300 is limited to its visuals. The performances are played straight, and this combination -- straight performances and stylized visuals -- produces an uncanny effect.
The action epic 300 is so overblown, overheated and over the top that on some level, it's fun to get caught up in the operatic dizziness of it.
300 is something to see, but unless you love violence as much as a Spartan, Quentin Tarantino or a video-game-playing teenage boy, you will not be endlessly fascinated.
Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2008)
Fantasy Film
Art Directors Guild (2008)
Tyler Bates
BMI Film & TV Awards (2007)
Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Motion Pictures
Cinema Audio Society (2008)
Excellence in Costume Design for Film - Fantasy
Costume Designers Guild Awards (2008)
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