Review: 300

Got around to watching the 300 film with Eric, Annie and Mike last night. 300 is based on the graphic novel of same name by Frank Miller (Frank, we love you!) which deals with the 300 Spartans who go to battle with Xerxes.

Stop right there. I don’t know much about Greek Mythology and if you don’t either, don’t worry. You don’t need it to watch this film.

Anyhow, the film shows how 300 Spartans hold their own against the hordes (read: millions) of warriors sent by Persian ruler Xerxes. Hey, this is just a film so if you want to know the truth of numbers, go read some Greek mythology. There’s an interesting quote about this film from the director where he speaks of the narrator and says “Dilios – “a guy who knows how not to wreck a good story with truth.” I feel they are speaking about me because (believe it or not) some of my stories have a little embellishment. 😉

Anyhow, the film was filmed entirely in Montreal around a bluescreen which allowed for each scene to resemble the graphic novel comic book panes once assembled via special effects. Much like Sin City. Very cool concept. I would like to watch it again with the graphic novel in hand.

There was stylized violence (think The Matrix) which I love but others hate and there was this fantastical aura surrounding the film – especially when you peer upon some creatures that the Persian army employ.

I enjoyed it and if you want a good film to check out (but with a lot of battle scenes, the whole thing reminded me of an extended Helms Deep film (Helms Deep from The Two Towers for those who are keeping check)) I would recommend it. I wasn’t blown away by it, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.