300

[Xantar]

If you want to read a really hilarious review of the movie, check out CHUD's. He spends some seven or eight paragraphs talking about how the movie is a right wing screed about why we need to go to war. Now don't get the wrong idea, he's not criticizing the movie for that reason. He's not one of those people complaining that the movie is a propaganda piece engineered to get us all behind the Iraq war or something. But, well...he thinks the movie supports the war in Iraq. Seriously, do you think the moviemakers and Frank Miller were really trying to be that deep?

As for me, the movie was all right. It had a fairly realistic depiction of phalanx tactics and then ruined the effect by having everybody break formation and go running off on their own. I don't even think the graphic novel had very much of that going on.

What also wasn't in the graphic novel were a lot of scenes at home. I understand and appreciate why they were there, but they tended to slow the proceedings down a bit.

Great movie. Everything about it is good. Cinematography, effects, story, action, nudity, acting, sheer manliness.

Acting? What acting? Don't get me wrong, the actors were fine in their roles. But there wasn't really much "acting" required of them. The best thing I could say for Gerard Butler (Leonidas) is that he avoided going so far over the top as to be cartoonish. And that's worthy of praise. But please, let's not start giving the man acting awards just yet.