A Movie Review of "300"

Over the past few months, before its release, "300" has garnered quite a high level of anticipation, among Frank Miller fans and newcomers alike. In fact, it's has been one of the most highly anticipated films of 2007. And now since its long-awaited release of March 9th has come and go, movie goers everywhere can finally see what all the hype was about.

Going into the theatre I had my degree of expectations. Though I didn't read the actual graphic novel in which the movie was based on, I did know enough from the previews that this movie has set itself set up to be monumental.

But now, after seeing movie, there are several things worth mentioning about it.

First off, "300" was a wonderful movie in terms of being what it is--an action drama with inspiring scenes of combat and war, intermingled with nicely done, almost Shakespearian-like, drama. The battle scenes were breathtaking and the fights elegant and visceral; even dance-like to some extent. The acting was superb, as well as the dialogue, which was intelligently peppered with witty humor every now and then to add a well-needed variety to the atmosphere.

However, there were quite a few things that the movie could have done without. Though Frank Miller has partially made his name through the graphicness of his work, there were several points in the movie where things were done to the near point of being gratuitous.

For instance, regarding the scenes of graphic sexuality, rather than expressing sex through shock or artsy attempts to "push the envelope" where the envelope doesn't need to be pushed, the mantra of "less is more" could have easily aided the film in this respect. Not only were these scenes distracting, but at some points, they even gave me some frightful flashbacks of the needlessly drawn out sex/rave scene from Matrix: Reloaded (shudder).

In addition to this, the slight overuse of slow motion throughout the movie really didn't help the experience at all. Though at most points, the slow motion definitely delivered the impact that the environment demanded, there were other times that the need of it could easily become lost to a viewer, especially in scenes when an extra seven seconds are spent to portray a woman scooping water from a fountain.

But the smooth pacing of the story and the clever use of cinematography all worked to the favor of the film and, on these regards, there are no complaints.

As some may know, though "300" is based on an actual historical event that occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars and that this movie had no real intention of following history eye-to-eye, the awkward addition of certain fantasy elements into the film detracted from it and I definitely would have preferred more historicity rather than "fighting freaky monsters" simply for the sake of "fighting freaky monsters".

Personally, when adding all the merits and flaws together, "300" was still an artfully entertaining film, which, despite its shortcomings, was successful in portraying the classic spirit of heroism to a modern audience.

Overall Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5.

Please note, "300" is an extraordinarily graphic movie for its sex, nudity, and violence and its strong R rating should not be taken lightly!