300 (2007)

Plot of 300

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive Persian army. Experience history at swordpoint. And moviemaking with a cutting edge. Critic's Quotes: "'300' is a landmark motion picture, a spectacular visual feast that is as inventive and groundbreaking as the first Matrix." PETE HAMMOND / MAXIM "Mind-blowing." SUSAN WLOSZCYNA / USA TODAY "Like nothing you've ever seen....the future of filmmaking." LEV GROSSMAN / TIME "An incredible visual ride." JEFFREY LYONS / NBC'S REEL TALK

Click here to visit the official site of the DVD

Review of 300

Frank Miller and Zack Snyder has done it again. 300 is a visually stunning and action packed piece of work. Snyder has taken what was done by Rodriguez and Tarantino with Sin City and upped the ante. Using the same method of green screen filming, Snyder has created a beautifully epic land based on what Miller did in the comic. I am ashamed to admit that I have never read 300 and must say I am that much more happy that I haven't. See, when any book or comic is made into a film you can't help but compare it to the original medium and sometimes that can deter from the experience, even if the film is done right. So I was able to sit back (and then on the edge of my seat) and enjoy the film. Full of epic battles, spraying blood, decapitations, freaks of nature, God like giants, beautiful women and walls of dead bodies, 300 is just pure eye candy at its best.

Gerard Butler is perfectly cast. Ripped, muscled, and full of courage and rage, I wouldn't want to get on his bad side. Only having seen him in Phantom of the Opera and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, I didn't really know what to expect. Butler delivers a performance worthy of a King and it shows. Besides the courage and rage, he has a passion that is echoed in every man under his command. David Wenham is another great casting choice as Dilios who is the narrator of the story as well as a warrior. His narrative voice is the perfect tool to tell the story. Behind every good man is a great woman and that is even more true here. Queen Gorgo, played by Lena Headey, is one of the more interesting characters in 300. If I understand correctly, her character's story in the movie is quite different and more fleshed out than what is in the comic. Some fans say it's unnecessary but I feel that her story helps to give us a break from all the intense action. And she is perfect as an extremely strong and supportive Queen who is trying to convince the ruling council to send reinforcements to Leonidas.

The effects? I can't say enough so it will have to suffice to say that they are some of the best I have ever seen. Just beautiful. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, head over to www.apple.com/quicktime/movies and check it out for an example.

All I can really say is that Sin City was a little tiny Halloween sized candy bar compared to the awe of the double sized hunk of eye candy that is 300. Great acting, great costumes, great action, this movie is my second favorite of the year after Children of Men (I count COM as this year because that's when I saw it) and before Pan's Labyrinth. Oh, and for you history buffs, I don't care about historical accuracy in my movies, if I wanted accuracy I'd watch a documentary. I'm in it for the entertainment value boys and girls. And entertained I was. Go see it, buy it on DVD when it comes out. We need more movies that look this good.

Until King Leonidas and King Ralph become bosom buddies,

keep reading

Mitch E

mitchemerson@hotmail.com

Best Lines:

Spartan King Leonidas: Give them nothing! But take from them everything!

Spartan King Leonidas: This is where we fight. This is where they die.

Xerxes: Cruel Leonidas demanded that you stand. I require only that you kneel.

Press Release

Prepare for glory by entering the JoinThe300.com

To celebrate the July 31 release of 300 on DVD, fans can enter for a chance to win two trips to Comic-Con and compete for a set visit to Watchmen, the new film from director Zack Snyder

Burbank, CA, June XX, 2007 – Warner Home Video (WHV) announced today the launch of www.JoinThe300.com, an interactive online site featuring 300-related challenges for fans to complete and boasting social networking and user-generated content functionality, in anticipation of the July 31^st DVD release of 300, the box office sensation that has earned more than $200 million at the U.S. box office.

Beginning on June 20^th , fans of 300 can log on to www.JoinThe300.com for a chance to win one of two trips to the upcoming Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, where the two winners will compete head-to-head for the grand prize – a once in a lifetime trip to visit the set of Zack Snyder’s upcoming film Watchmen.

Warner Home Video will also offer random prize giveaways to fans just for registering for the web site, including 300 DVD mini posters signed by Zack Snyder and featuring exclusive art not available anywhere else, iPod shuffles, and 300 DVDs.  The two winners of the www.JoinThe300.com contest will receive travel to San Diego, hotel accommodations, passes to Comic-Con and a per diem for themselves and a guest.

Visitors to www.JoinThe300.com will take part in multiple Spartan-themed “missions,” ranging from creating 300 video mash-ups to answering trivia questions about the film to creating their own television commercial for the film.  Tasks will be assigned escalating point values based on difficulty, and all contestants earning 300 points or more will be entered in a random drawing for the two trips to the annual Comic-Con International convention in San Diego from July 26^th – July 29^th.  The two winners will then compete against each other in a final mission.   The victor of this epic battle will win the trip to the set of 300 director Zack Snyder’s new film Watchmen.

300 will be available on July 31st Single Disc at $28.98 SRP in both widescreen and full frame formats.  The 2-Disc Special Edition DVD will be available in widescreen format for $34.99 SRP.  The HD DVD Combo will be available at $39.99 SRP and the Blu-ray Disc version will be available at $34.99 SRP. 

The 2-Disc Special Edition and hi-definition versions are loaded with over 90 minutes of thrilling extras, including additional scenes and revealing featurettes on the real-life Spartans.  With the HD DVD Combo, experience the entire film with “blue screen” picture-in-picture running throughout the feature and special commentary by Zack Snyder, plus an exclusive strategy game “Vengeance and Valor.” 

SYNOPSIS

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive Persian army. Experience history at swordpoint. And moviemaking with a cutting edge.  

The Credits

With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace.  Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSSARY.  A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.  LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) AND CANADA 18 YEARS AND OLDER.  VOID IN QUEBEC AND WHERE PROHIBITED.  Sweepstakes ends 7/9/07.  For Official Rules, alternate method of entry, prize descriptions and odds disclosure, visit http://jointhe300.com.  Sponsor: Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros Home Entertainment, Inc., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA  91522, U.S.A.

The Cast

Director

Producers

Gerard Butler

Zack Snyder

Miller, Deborah Snyder, Craig J. Flores

Lena Headey

Michael Fassbender

Vincent Regan

Dominic West

Rating

Length

Distributors

Release Date

R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity.

Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution

March 9th, 2007

Pictures from 300

Related Links

Click Above to Purchase 300

This review was written by Mitch E. Copyright 2007, All Rights Reserved.