300 - Movie Review

I have seen many movies. And, by many I really mean many. But, I have never ever got a sadistic pleasure in my entire life watching limbs getting chopped, people getting hacked. It is so fucking kool...!!! Watching people die never gave me such a high. Its like watching the best ever video game on celluloid.

Where shall I start? First and foremost I think, I must mention about the surrealistic world we are treated to. Its like a dream with stunning images which I thought only existed in paintings.

The film combines elements of the actual battle from 480 B.C. with other clashes between the mighty Spartans and the overwhelming forces of the Persian "god-king" Xerxes but the essence of the legend is intact.

Xerxes, at one point tried to rule all over the world. But, Leonidas, the King of Sparta and his handful (well...actually not) of 300 brave men fought to death to preserve the freedom for Sparta. Their effort provided inspiration for all Spartan soldiers to reunite and fight again.

On one hand, it is about the war of the Spartan against the Persians, on the other it is also how the Queen of Sparta, Gorgo, tries to make all the politicians in the Sparta Assembly understand that the action of Leonidas is just. To prove this, she even agrees to adultery with the traitor Theron who plots against Leonidas.

Gerard Butler as Leonidas, the King of Sparta is awesome. There isn't much of a scope of displaying histrionics here, but still he manages to impress.

One more thing. People might tend to think this is a GUY MOVIE. I beg to differ. Sure barring Gorgo, there isn't a single female character of importance, but Gorgo is the most powerful role after Leonidas. And the ever so pretty Lena Headey plays it gracefully. To make your presence felt in a movie like this is an impressive feat.

Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes was however a little disappointing. With all his piercings, he looked more funny than menacing.

The love making scenes between Leonadis and Gorgo are like poetry. Shot so awesomely. The only love making scene so brilliantly shot, which I can remember, is in Fight Club.

The background music is simply out of the world. However, I personally would have liked heavy metal tracks played in background while the battle scenes are on. I don't know what the results would have been. But, I would have liked it for sure.

The cinematography and the special effects are so freaking awesome, that its better not to use an adjective to define them. When you watch the war scenes, the only sentence you say is "What the fuck?". Trust me, this time it means in a really good way ;)

To sum up, I think its a merge of Gladiator and Sin City. Well, the best parts of those two movies together will make 300.

Do yourself a favor. Go and watch 300. Your idea about films will definitely change.