So I just got back from seeing 300 on the big screen… My only thoughts can be summed up as such: Holy. Crap. I think that movie just became the yardstick by which all other action movies will be judged.
For clarification, the movie was loosely based upon the story of the Battle of Thermopylae, wherein a small band of Grecian fighters, predominantly Spartans, was able to hold off the combined forces of the Persian armies of Xerxes, by dint of the geographical features of the area. A pass in the impassable ridges between the ocean and the mountains allowed the Greek fighters to funnel the Persians down to a small number across, and thus the relative disparity between the two armies amounted to nothing. Granted, the Greeks did eventually fall (primarily through an act of treachery by one of their own), but the very fact that they were willing to stand, fight, and fall, no matter the cost, caused their sacrifice to be recorded for all time, especially since it delayed the Persians, and discouraged them sufficiently, that the Greeks were able to push them back off their land a few years later.
Now, let me be the first to say that this movie probably was not an accurate historical representation of the series of events that transpired over those few tumultuous days, what with the movie’s inclusion of monstrously deformed humanoids with boneswords for arms, elephants the size of midsize buildings, and all the rest of the fantastical events and creatures contained in it. However, this is hardly a reason to not see it – just something to bear in mind. Additionally, I cannot say I was terribly fond of Sin City, which was directed (and written, for that matter) by the same individual – Frank Miller. That said, this, most recent movie of his, has more than redeemed him in my eyes. Now that the details are out of the way… wow. What a movie. The stylized cinematography, remarkable physique of the Spartans themselves, the script, the fights… all of these things meshed together to make an outstanding work. Sure, the story was already written. Yeah, we know the boat sinks. But unlike Titanic, this pre-knowledge was not damning. The movie was not a documentary, by any stretch of anyone’s imagination… it was a rememberance. It was what it turned out to be at the end – a story by one of the individuals at the battle, bearing witness to the bravery, selflessness, and sacrifice of his brothers-in-arms.
Additionally, I do not think I have ever seen a finer portrayal of the Spartans themselves. Cold, ruthless, methodical, skilled to the point of mythic abilities, and utterly determined to live free men, or die defending that freedom. They were borderline monsters, with their "examination" of their children at birth, their training methods, their complete lack of regard for anything perceived as weak or incapable… And it was not even a disrespectful lack of regard, either, it was simply a recognition that they were born, bred, and trained soldiers – and they were damned good at it – but not everyone was, or could be. But when others tried to be equivalent soldiers, and obviously could not measure up to the sizeable Spartan yardstick, their response was basically, "You are not as good as we are at this, so get back to doing what you are actually good at, and leave the fighting to us." They almost admitted that, in comparison to the rest of Greece, they were monsters… but necessary monsters, in that their skills, prowess, and sacrifice were necessary for the protection and continuance of the rest of Greece. Sure, they referred to the Athenians as "boy-lovers" and other such epithets, but they also appeared to honor them for what they were good at – their logic, art, and politics. The city-states definitely specialized, and respected each other’s fields of expertise, but resented any encroachment on their fields.
Regardless, the best explanation of their portrayal of the Spartans could probably be summed up by a scene in the movie. Leonidas was speaking with Xerxes, the self-proclaimed god-king of the Persians, since the latter seemed interested in negotiations. Granted, Xerxes in the movie was about eight feet tall, decked out in gold out the yin-yang, and was transported on a massive, mobile throne supported by a smalla army of slaves, but this apparent difference in height, wealth, and power between the two men (Xerxes had the first two, Leonidas had the las) meant nothing to the Spartan. After a morning of the Spartans successfully handing the Persians their collective asses on a bronze platter, the two leaders were chatting, and part of the conversation went like this:
Xerxes:It would be nothing short of madness for you brave King and your valiant troops to…perish. All because of a simple misunderstanding. There is much our cultures could share.
Leonidas: Have you noticed we’ve been sharing our culture with you all morning?
Indeed the Spartans were sharing their culture – slay anyone who dared threaten their freedom, and do it bloody well.
This movie is definitely worth a viewing. The excessive amount of bloodshed was excessive to the point of dumb, but it was part of the artsy nature of the film. The nudity (once again, female-only, though you do get a good shot of the lead actor’s tush, and all of the men are only dressed in very tight leather undies, for Heaven’s sake – and really buff) was gratuitous, but see the previous sentence. And the general feel of the movie… that was just plain cool. This was one of the few movies that I actually wished was longer, pressing bladder or no. Trust me – find the time. Unless you are a completely anal history buff, you will find something to enjoy.
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