Susan Granger’s review of “300” (Warner Bros.)
If you’re into uber-violent video games, this overblown sword ‘n’ sandals action adventure, inspired by Frank Miller’s graphic novel, is for you. If you seek characterization and dialogue, look elsewhere.
The setting is the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 stalwart Spartans square off for three days against thousands of Persians, knowing they’re fighting a losing battle.
Famous for its ferocious warriors, Sparta was an enigmatic Greek city-state which defined itself by freedom and sacrifice. Spartans were taught never to retreat, never to surrender. In 480 B.C., Sparta’s heroic King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), supported by his wife Gorgo (Lena Headley), defies the will of the Spartan Council and its Oracle to march into battle against evil Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), the self-proclaimed God-King of the Persians, whose has flagrantly raped and pillaged his way across the countryside.
Perhaps inspired by the slashing, grisly battle slaughter favored by Mel Gibson in “Apocalypto” and “Braveheart,” director Zack Snyder (best known for his “Dawn of the Dead” remake) concentrates on the testosterone-propelled visuals, nearly all of which are CGI and many in such slow-motion that they become campy. The actors’ performances are obviously secondary to their mandatory gym workouts, as is Snyder’s patchworked, homoerotic, awkwardly paced script, co-written with Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon.
Film buffs may recall this same historical story was filmed back in 1962 as “The 300 Spartans,” starring Richard Egan; while it was certainly less graphic, it wasn’t any better. Also, there’s been much conjecture about the allegorical references, justifying America’s involvement in Iraq; in my opinion, that’s a ridiculously far-fetched interpretation. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “300” is a vividly stylized, spectacular 6. “Prepare for Glory!” is the studio tagline. Un-uh! It should be “Prepare for Gory!”
