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300
This retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, between the ancient Greeks and Persians, is based on the book by Frank Miller. Director Zack Synder and the production team have done a remarkable job visually, invoking the imagery and keeping the tone of the original comic book without sinking into parody or cheesy animated effects.
The story revolves around the attempt of the Persian Empire, under the God/King Xerxes, to conquer Greece. At the time, Greece comprised independent city states. The most ferocious of these was Sparta, a warrior society in which men who left their homes were instructed by wives and mothers to come back with their shields or on them – in other words, to fight to the death.
The Spartans, under King Leonidas, are the logical choice to resist Xerxes and in this battle 300 of the best Spartan soldiers take on the mightly Persians, including Xerxes’ famous personal guards, The Immortals. Much like the fighters at the Alamo, the 300 decide to fight to the death in order to give the political structure and army time to authorize and send reinforcements.
Unlike the fighters at the Alamo, the Spartans have a brilliant tactician for a leader. They hold off the Persians, much to the irritation of the “divine” Xerxes, while back in Sparta Leonidas’ wife, Queen Gorgo, lobbies for support of the war.
Themes of freedom, love and betrayal are universal, as is the determination to fight against an invader, and all of these resonate in “The 300.” But the unique visual quality of the film sets it apart from others of its ilk. It’s not an accident that this film became a huge, if surprise, hit at the box office.
Reviewed By: Honorah Crowley
visit the official 300 site
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