300

Amazing. Epic. Visually Stunning. 300, a movie based on Frank Miller’s comic book (the same guy who did Sin City), is an absolute ace. A movie about the 300 Spartans who stood up against the whole world, this well told story is enthralling from start to finish. The story is great (even if it’s not 100% accurate), the characters are moving and the speeches and events really hit home. To me the movie was not just about the 300 and their struggle to save their country, but it an inner struggle many of the characters faced and came to terms with.

In the movie (and possibly true to real life), Spartan boys from a young age are taught how to fight and deal with fear. They are taught that to die for your country is the greatest honor. This led to the men of the 300 to fight with their whole hearts and with conviction. You really believe that these men were dedicated 100% to the cause. The men knew what they had to do and did it. I feel that’s what every man aspires to be. The “just do it” attitude and the “man up” persona- this is how the 300 lived. And nothing showed that more than Gerard Butler’s portrayal of Spartan King, Leonidas. He was faced time after time with troubles- whether to go to war or not, leading 300 men into battle against the rest of the world and keeping the moral high, etc. And he was able to do it. He was the epitome of a true leader. But of course, no man is complete without his leading lady.

Leonidas’s wife Gorgo, played by Lena Headey, was also excellent. Her character was the reason Leonidas acted as he did and you could tell. And after he left for war, she stepped up and did what she could to help save Sparta. Beautiful and ballsy, she also did what she felt she had to do and faced troubles and adversity in order to save her country. While Leonidas was the brawn, she was the brain.

Finally, moving away from the characters, 300 was visually stunning. I’ve never seen such great cinematography. Each shot was done with such purpose and got the point across perfectly. I especially liked what they did with Xerxes. They made him seem much larger than life for most of the movie- untouchable; almost god-like. Then there was the turning point. He became more human and you could tell. That as well as the reason of the imagery and visuals made this movie.

300 was excellent and highly recommended. I wouldn’t say it’s flawless, but I found nothing wrong with it.