300 (2007)

Fenway Theater, Boston, MA

March 10, 2007

*** / ****

300 is a movie caught between overplayed seriousness, unintentional comedy, and homoerotic machismo. It is a blood thirsty movie where the soundtrack swells wherever it can and blood gushes in slow motion as spears pierce abdomens and swords lop off heads. It is the story of Sparta circa 480 BC, in particular the Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads 300 shaved and buff male models, I mean warriors, into battle against King Xerxes’ (Rodrigo Santoro) million Persian soldiers defying the will of Sparta’s political counsel. It is a movie in the vein of Braveheart and Gladiator, albeit with far less intellect, that dances with current popular culture obsessions sex, violence, and well-groomed male bodybuilders. Oh yes, these men are toned, smooth, shiny and posing in loincloths and metal arm bands as if there’s no tomorrow.

300 is a stylized romp of swords and sandals heavy on the romping and light on the cerebellum. Filmed almost exclusively with blue screen technology, the look and mood of the film is extraordinary. Similar to the fabulous Sin City, many colors are drained to enhance others painting a stark yet lush portrait of a hard and fierce time and place. Rather than clog the scene with many intricate details or complicated story lines, 300 goes straight for the jugular. This is the tale of a people born for a single purpose: to fight. And fight do they ever, going shield to face with a million enemies in the tightest confines of a beautiful yet bleak oceanside mountain. And when the fighting stops, so does the movie, wrapping up in a neat and tidy package with everyone getting their due in typical Braveheart/Gladiator style. Along the way we are kept interested by a bizarre parade of odd characters and the aforementioned seriousness (in the oft-shouted inspirational speeches) and unintentional comedy (the seriousness and the loin-clothed macho men) resulting in a movie that is creative and fun yet unquestionably lightweight. However, with source material straight from Frank Miller’s graphic novel of the same name, that’s most likely the point.

300 is a rollicking good time for comic book fans, war-movie enthusiasts, and those who enjoy ogling the half-naked male form. Strange bed fellows, indeed.