300

300 is a film about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC between Persians and Greeks. The movie is based on the comic book series of the same name by Frank Miller. With over the top acting, and a mediocre story line, 300 relies heavily on its battle scenes.

The entire movie is a story being told by the lone surviving Spartan from the Battle of Thermopylae. Dilios (David Wenham) was sent back to Sparta by King Leonidas to tell the story of their battle. The narration is taking place in camp the night before the Battle of Plataea. Dilios serves to frame the story as if reading it directly from a comic book.

King Leonidas is played by Gerald Butler. He often unnecessarily yells and seems to be trying too hard. Queen Gorgo, played by Lena Headey, is a flat character who serves only to advance the story line. I would have to say the same for Theron, who was played Dominic West. Theron is a traitorous Spartan senator, who has been bought out by the Persians. He has heavy favor in the senate and tries to keep the Spartans from going to war with the Persians. The Spartan soldiers really do not have distinct personalities, and it is difficult to distinguish them during battle. There are only two actors from 300 worthy of praise: David Wenham and Andrew Pleavin, who played an Arcadian. Daxos is an Arcadian captain whose forces join Leonidas and the Spartans during the march to Thermopylae. Daxos is a more realistic soldier. He is a brave and skilled warrior, but in the face of insurmountable odds, his courage cracks. Even so he is still able to function as an effective soldier, slaying several elite enemy soldiers.

I was not a fan of the Persian King Xerxes (being portrayed as androgynous. Despite his tall stature his appearance was laughable. A leader of a nation whose armies have conquered all in their path should be feared, and have a fitting appearance. It is difficult to take a man with female features too seriously, even if he is 8 feet tall.

The action is pure adrenaline, but somewhat over the top. An excessive amount of blood comes out of ever body, and there are fictional creatures on the side of the Persian army. These creatures include elephants, an oversized rhino, a largew bulbous figure with saws for arms, and a giant. There are also the Immortals who can only be killed and never by age. At other parts of the movie there are goats playing instruments. 300 falls under a mix between historical fiction and fantasy.

The story line is not terrible but if it was not for the battle scenes, 300 would be a bad movie. There are no plot twists, and nothing too unexpected occurs. Much of King Leonidas’ dialogue is different ways of say that Spartans never retreat or surrender. There is also a highly unnecessary sex scen early in the movie between King Leonidas and his wife, Queen Gorgo.

If you love action you will like this movie. It does shed some light on Spartan culture, but nothing to any large extent. If you do not care for action and just want to see a good movie, it may be best to look elsewhere.