300 (Frank Miller)

[Renz]

There's a difference between "bad" acting and "no" acting, and this movie cast no-names because there was barely any acting to be done. I'm not sure how plot development became such a huge deal to people on this board---it's basically one huge battle over the course of the movie--not much room for a complicated plot. Kind of reminiscent of a comic book. Shocking!

LOL! It was a graphic novel come to life. Some people are acting like they expected it to be Shakespeare.

It was gloriously over-the-top, both in visuals and dialogue, which is what makes it so appealing.

 

[FischerKing]

saw it friday night - liked it. took it for what it was worth - a graphic novel for the big screen and in that context it was great.

shawn

 

[Rats]

LOL! It was a graphic novel come to life. Some people are acting like they expected it to be Shakespeare.

It was gloriously over-the-top, both in visuals and dialogue, which is what makes it so appealing.

When people are using words like glorious or stunning to describe the film I can really see how starved they are for good film. I did not expect Shakespeare but somethng along the lines of Gladiator which was nominated by the Academy, would have been more to my liking. To each there own, though. If this is the direction of action films for the future, I will be very dissapointed. With the price of a theatre ticket, I would wait to see it on video if more graphic novels are translated to film like this. 2 cents.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Plot development and theme development in movies is what makes me think about the history of movies like this. They really weren't interested in telling the story of why the 300 wanted to hold the gate. They just jumped right in to the battle and never developed why they didn't want to be ruled. It was entertaining cinematography but that was about it for me.

Did you miss the part with the Ephos? Leonidas lays out his strategy on how and why he chose to fight at Thermopylae.

Queen Gorgo mentioned several times about what it means to be free. They were fighting for freedom.

Not sure if you missed these or you just think they didn't spend enough time pushing those points across.

Considering I've always admired the Spartans and in particular their battle at Thermopylae I had some history on what happens. If you didn't know I can kinda understand your dislikes.

 

[Rats]

Did you miss the part with the Ephos? Leonidas lays out his strategy on how and why he chose to fight at Thermopylae.

Queen Gorgo mentioned several times about what it means to be free. They were fighting for freedom.

Not sure if you missed these or you just think they didn't spend enough time pushing those points across.

Considering I've always admired the Spartans and in particular their battle at Thermopylae I had some history on what happens. If you didn't know I can kinda understand your dislikes.

I feel as if they didn't spend enough time on these as well as the betrayal plot. They seemed to go more for shock value on the betrayal and it was easy to show why they chose Thermopylae just from the advantage they gained by the narrows. The entire movie was about shock video. Kinda like the soldiers being used as morter between the stones or the Elephants driven over the cliffs. It really never worked unless you were there for video game like action. I admire the Spartans as well and you hit it right on the head. If you didn't know any of there history you weren't going to learn it from this film.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

It must really bother all these naysayers that it was the #1 movie two weeks straight and is one of the most profitable films in years. It has already nearly doubled the cost to make the film.

 

[D-Dogg]

It must really bother all these naysayers that it was the #1 movie two weeks straight and is one of the most profitable films in years. It has already nearly doubled the cost to make the film.

Their naysaying blots out the sun, so 300 will profit in the shade.

 

[Rats]

It must really bother all these naysayers that it was the #1 movie two weeks straight and is one of the most profitable films in years. It has already nearly doubled the cost to make the film.

Actually it does. It means that for the sake of the mighty dollar we will start having to see more of the action genre become more like this rather than quality entertainment. I do not think action films need to be shock video for the length of the film. They need to have a developed story. But as you say. Most of film going america has embraced this film. Or at least the group I cited that saw it 3 or 4 times for the rush.

 

[D-Dogg]

rather than quality entertainment.

In your opinion.

 

[Rats]

In your opinion.

Yeah.....thats right.

 

[Chaplin]

Plot development and theme development in movies is what makes me think about the history of movies like this. They really weren't interested in telling the story of why the 300 wanted to hold the gate. They just jumped right in to the battle and never developed why they didn't want to be ruled. It was entertaining cinematography but that was about it for me.

Like the comic book, yes. I don't see how anyone could try to mistake this for a historical epic that describes the time period. It's a comic book adaptation. It just happens to have its basis in a real-life occurrence. The only thing that is allegedly real about the movie was the 300 vs. millions thing, and that's it. There was no need to find out why Xerxes was invading Sparta. That's not the point of the movie and it wasn't the point of the comic book.

 

[Chaplin]

Actually it does. It means that for the sake of the mighty dollar we will start having to see more of the action genre become more like this rather than quality entertainment. I do not think action films need to be shock video for the length of the film. They need to have a developed story. But as you say. Most of film going america has embraced this film. Or at least the group I cited that saw it 3 or 4 times for the rush.

Dude, how old are you? Have you never seen an 80s action movie? A majority of action movies are exactly like this, because some people other than you think this IS quality entertainment.

I like movies with a good story and good plotting and interesting characters, but this isn't a movie that lends itself well to it. It's all style and no substance, but that style is more than enough to be entertaining.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

I'm going to have to see it a third time before I annoint it one of my top 5 movies.





We need a spartan smiley!!!

 

[D-Dogg]

We need a spartan smiley!!!

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[Pariah]

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Good thing I had a hearty breakfast.

 

[FischerKing]

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ror...nice

shawn

 

[dreamcastrocks]

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Looks more like a viking than a spartan. Try again.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

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Hell has the best hot wings!!!

 

[Heucrazy]

Hell has the best hot wings!!!

But no napkins or ranch.

 

[D-Dogg]

Looks more like a viking than a spartan. Try again.

It's as close as I could get.

 

[D-Dogg]

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"Then we shall fight in the shade"

 

[Rats]

Dude, how old are you? Have you never seen an 80s action movie? A majority of action movies are exactly like this, because some people other than you think this IS quality entertainment.

I like movies with a good story and good plotting and interesting characters, but this isn't a movie that lends itself well to it. It's all style and no substance, but that style is more than enough to be entertaining.

Your just looking for an arguement for arguements sake. I said it was entertaining cinematography or did you miss that part? When you watch HBO's first look and all they talk about is the history and how they wanted to present the Spartans standing up to the Persians and sustaining there way of life, you go into this expecting more than what it is, A comic book adaptation, with no real depth. That said, your right. Most of the 80's action flicks lacked depth but they at least had a storyline you could follow. I watched most of them on VHS long after they hit the theater.

 

[D-Dogg]

but they at least had a storyline you could follow.

Uhm, this had a very easy to follow storyline. Confusion about the plot isn't a problem. You can make the argument that it isn't a COMPLEX plot, but don't say it wasn't a storyline you could follow.

 

[Stout]

LOL! It was a graphic novel come to life. Some people are acting like they expected it to be Shakespeare.

It was gloriously over-the-top, both in visuals and dialogue, which is what makes it so appealing.

Exactly. This was a graphic novel brought to the screen. They did an incredible job of doing so. It was a great, fun movie because it was visually pleasing, was an awesome fight movie, and hearkened to the primal man inside. It wasn't supposed to be a big plot builder or anything profound like that.

 

[Zeno]

A little off topic but did anyone see the workout Butler did to get his body in shape for the role of Leonidas?

"Butler enlisted the help of Mark Twight, a former world-class mountain climber who, based on personal experience, believes in training as if your life depends on it. In fact, Twight would argue that a good workout should make you feel almost queasy upon hearing what lies ahead. For example, to hasten Butler's mind-body transformation, he created what he calls the "300-rep Spartan workout." (Trust us, 100 reps is plenty hard.) (*2) It goes like this: Without resting between exercises, Butler performs 25 pullups, 50 deadlifts with 135 pounds, 50 pushups, 50 jumps on a 24-inch box, 50 floor wipers (*3), 50 single-arm clean-and-presses using a 36-pound kettle bell, and 25 more pullups. All this, in addition to utilizing other unconventional yet equally taxing training methods, such as tire flipping and gymnastics-style ring training. Sound like hell? It is. In fact, upon receiving his marching orders for a Spartan workout, one of Butler's costars told Twight, "It feels like you just killed my dog.""

Not sure what floor wipers are but besides that that workout would absolutely kill most anyone. No rests between exercises?