300 is probably one of the most anticipated action DVD releases of the year, and rightly so. As an action movie it blows everything that’s come before it out of the water. It turns traditional war movies on their heads, and decapitates the audience’s senses along the way.
In fact in this orgy of violence and sexual corruption, it’s easy for the viewer to lose ones breath and be confused and lost by everything that is going on.
For sure, it is a beautifully filmed, choreographed adaptation of a brilliant graphic novel, but to what end?
The slow motion wholesale slaughter of the enemy combatants is as compelling as it is un-watchable. Its beauty is undeniable, whilst its ugliness can’t but help but rear it’s proverbial head.
To sit back and enjoy watching 300 is a pleasure, but to think about it after is not.
Some films fill you with such joy that you want to tell the world about them, others fill you with questions that you seek answers to. Others help mould your way of thinking, influence your actions, whilst others still give you nothing more that an enjoyable night out.
300 on the other hand seems to leave you wondering why? A slightly empty why?
Why so much violence and bloodshed? Sure, the movie needed padding out, and action scenes are good for that, but to what end.
The Spartan king only wants for this battle to be remembered, for the legend to encourage and influence a generation to stand up for freedom – and this is a righteous cause indeed – but one that is tainted by so much blood and gore.
So many people will go away from this movie remembering only the amount of stylised blood splattered over the screen and not the message of standing up for what you believe in.
I’m not sure that 300 could have been done any other way, it’s just a pity that the movies sheer brilliance is also it’s undoing.
Food for thought What would you be willing to lay down on the altar of freedom?
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