AT THE MOVIES WITH DILLON KIMMEL
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City), 300 follows the heroics of 300 Spartan soldiers who bravely took on the invading Persian King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his army of over three million men in 480 B.C. The film version commemorates the sacrifice of King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and his men in their efforts to secure their homeland from the iron fist of tyranny.
The film begins with a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Sparta. A messenger is dispatched to the city to inform the people of Xerxes’ impending invasion, and political friction quickly ensues. Spartan law forbids a general from going to war without the blessing of the elders, but the Spartan oracle delivers a damning prophecy to King Leonidas, predicting a bloody and swift defeat. The elders deny Leonidas’ request.
But the ferocious Leonidas—who is the embodiment of the fiercely disciplined Spartan lifestyle—pays little attention to gods’ warning and defies the ruling council, choosing his best 300 men to stand against Xerxes and the largest army ever assembled.
Knowing defeat is likely Leonidas devises a plan to stall the Persians long enough for Greece to rally an army comparable to that of Xerxes’ (a cause his wife, Gordo, campaigns for in his absence). Joined by 700 soldiers from Thespiae, the 300 Spartans prepare a defense of a narrow passage near the Greek coast, now called Thermopylae. The legendary military proficiency of the Spartan warriors easily slaughters the first waves of Xerxes’ army, and victory seems possible with each failed Persian attempt to push through the pass. However, deception and betrayal lurks in the most unlikely of characters.
Fueled by oodles of CGI and breathtaking scenery, 300 delivers one of the most visually stimulating films since Frank Miller’s own Sin City back in 2005. Though quite dissimilar from Miller’s previous work, 300 still provides some of the most advanced computer imaging Hollywood has at its disposal. Greece has never (and probably never will) looked better.
The filmmakers don’t bother much with character development, mainly because scores of them are killed off at various points during the film, but the characters that do stick around are intriguing enough to keep viewers interested. Leonidas is steadfast in his willingness to sacrifice himself for his country. He is a ruthless killing machine and a compassionate and loyal friend at the same time. In an especially memorable scene, Xerxes tells Leonidas that he would gladly sacrifice any of his soldiers for his cause. Leonidas responds by saying, “And I would gladly die for any one of mine.”
Gordo is also a fascinating character. In a male-dominated society, Gordo takes charge in her husband’s absence, vigorously campaigning for a larger Grecian army to compliment the Spartans already at war, even going as far as to demand to speak with the Spartan ruling council, a command unheard of among women of the time period.
Much of the dialogue in 300 is taken directly from the graphic novel. Though relatively cheesy in some parts, Leonidas provides some notable quotables. If you’re a plot nuance guru, don’t bother. With all the limbs flying this way and that, there just isn’t much room for a plot. This script is loosely based on a true story; the filmmakers took liberties with almost every aspect, but the basic premise is all fact: 300 super dudes took on an army of millions and almost won. But that’s about as historically accurate as it gets.
Overall, 300 delivers exactly what the trailer promises: long, thrilling battles with more blood than Normandy following the D-Day invasion. The plot is intriguing enough and the dialogue tolerable enough to carry the film, if not just barely. And Leonidas’ story of sacrifice was certainly inspiring. I felt like I could take on anything, even the scholarship applications piling up on my desk.
4 ½ stars.
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