300 4/5 reviewed by Mike

Just so we're clear off the bat: if you have a 'y' chromosome, you'll love this movie. This is the ultimate man movie. Let me explain why.

300 is based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City, Dark Knight Returns, Robocop, you know) which is based on the historical battle where 300 Spartans heroically held back an uncountable army of Persians by forcing them into a narrow corridor.

Don't be fooled though--this movie isn't history, nor is it trying to be. This movie is a legend. It is the telling of grand mythology. Everything is exaggerated to mythic proportions. It's inspiring and breath-taking. Every guy in the movie is the most ripped dude you've ever seen. All the good guys are superheroes with the physique to match. The enemies are disfigured and monstrous. Xerxes, the Persian "God"-King is literally 9 feet tall. This completely non-realistic approach is really pretty awesome, and quite refreshing to me after seeing other movies that try to go ultra-realistic. I like seeing this overly-stylized version of epic battles and legendary heroes.

Every aspect of the film takes on a mythic quality, down to the cinematography. The amount of slow motion used in this movie rivals that of John Woo, but instead of sucking, it's actually pretty awesome. Seeing some ripped dude tear through hundreds of enemies while screaming in slow motion is actually pretty cool. Although I usually bore of overdone slo-mo techniques, this is just so badass that it works. The backgrounds are amazing as well. The movie was shot almost entirely on a greenscreen, so the landscapes and backgrounds take on a mythic, painted quality thats beautiful to behold. The canvas that this film takes place on is grand and gorgeous.

I gotta warn you--There's quite a bit of nudity in this film, and obviously a ton of violence. There's not a single cuss word to be found though. The other wierd thing about this is how much it speaks to the idea of freedom not being free. In a sea of media telling us there's nothing worth fighting for in this world, it's interesting to hear the Spartans passion for freedom, and their understanding that fighting to protect everything they hold dear is the most worthy aspiration that exists. The movie doesn't feel real preachy, since it's easy to interpret it different ways, but it does stir those basic man concepts of Justice, Honor, Duty, Loyalty, and kicking butt/taking names. Don't get me wrong, the chicks in this film hold thier own. The Spartan Queen is quite the warrior herself. Seeing her strength and the strength she inspires in those around her is awesome.

You guys know what a comic nerd I am, and how much I've held up Frank's work in the past. So let this sink in when I tell you: this movie is WAY better than the book. The characterization is deeper, richer, the storytelling elements are better, the pacing is great, and seeing these images move with a great score behind them is simply exhilerating. If you even kindof liked movies like Braveheart and Gladiator and that genre, then do yourself a favor and see 300.

By the way, who's that Ben Riley guy?

See this movie if:
-You like big historical epics told as if they were legend
-you like UFC
-you're male

Don't See this movie if:
-You're looking for accurate history
-You don't like action/war/battle films
-You're bringing a kid with you to the theatre. What are you morons thinking?