By Bethany Hutchens

Gargoyle staff reporter


Posted Friday, March 16, 2007, The OG, arts

“THE WORD ‘AWESOME' is thrown around a lot these days,” my brother began as
he hopped in my car late last Friday night, “but ‘300' was awesome!”

As I drove away from Savoy 16 that night I couldn't help but think: I've got to see
this movie.

The hype had been staggering: positive reviews from Richard Roeper, an unbelievably high rating on the Internet Movie Database (8.3 out of 10, which is a higher rating than “The Wizard of Oz”), not to mention my brother's enthusiastic review.

Same time the next night: After buying tickets at noon, I had returned to
the theater to experience the awesomeness myself. I was not disappointed.

“300” is based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller about the famous stand by the Spartans at Thermopylae pass in 480 B.C. The graphic novel is loosely grounded in history, and director Zack Snyder stays true to the comic book feel by including all the monsters and overdone visuals that are the norm in graphic novels.

For some reason, this movie has already gotten a bad rap at Uni. Maybe it has something to do with the academic standards here (historical inaccuracy just won't fly), or the cultural sensitivity, but I'd like to put my two cents in: That movie was raw. To show my reasoning I will list the pros and cons of the movie. We will see which list is longer.

THE PROS OF “300” (aka: Why this movie is raw)

1. Beautiful computer generation. The setting is well done and detailed, and adds a lot to the movie by creating a dark and unreal effect.

2. Exciting and visually stunning battle scenes, complete with slow motion.

3. A soundtrack filled with heavy metal music that accentuates the battle scenes and adds to the modern graphic novel feel of the movie.

4. Awesome costumes, which range from the red-robed Spartans to the samurai-like Persian Immortals. The Persian costumes are stunning and varied, and work well with the slick visual effects.

5. A moving and uplifting plot line that pits brave warriors against impossible odds.

6. Hundreds of muscled, oiled-up, half-naked men!

7. Various monsters and creatures, including a guy with saws for hands, that enhance the unreality and are just plain cool.

8. A completely gratuitous sex scene. (I'll add this in the cons, too, since it's all in the way you look at it. Incidentally this was a con for me.)

9. Witty one-liners!

10. Entertainment value. This movie was genuinely entertaining — and when everything else is said and done, isn't that the point of movies?
    
    
    

THE CONS OF “300” (aka: Why some lame people thought this movie was bad)

1. Historical inaccuracy. I mean, come on, it's based on a graphic novel; history was purposefully set by the wayside to enhance the visuals.

2. Racism against Persians. This might be true, I don't know, but I thought the Persians were cool. I want to be Persian.

3. A tendency for melodramatics.

4. A gratuitous sex scene.
   
   
   

Hey, look at that! There are more than twice as many pros as cons! I guess I proved my point: “300” is raw.

“300” is now playing at Beverly Cinema 18 (click here for times), and Savoy 16 (click here for times). Runtime: 117 minutes. Rated: R.

RELATED

— Gargoyle review: “300”

— The film's official site