300
I just saw 300. It's pretty good I guess, for what it is. Although it really is just one glorified battle sequence with character only thrown in for colour. So it's not really my kind of film, but I couldn't say it was a bad film by any means, and some of it was downright cool.
I don't have a problem with the makers glorifying Sparta... the movie is just pure propoganda, but I think that's the point. It's the tale of the 300 as the Spartans would have told it, were the Spartans still around today, and mastering special effects and rock soundtracks. It's like a fishing story of the one that got away, where the fish multiplies in size many times in the telling. If you just accept that it's a campfire tale in that spirit, the propogandistic feel isn't a problem.
Besides which, I'm glad the Spartans inspired the Greeks to eventually win. The Spartans weren't 'good guys', necessarily, but for the purposes of that historical clash, I think they were definately 'the good guys'. What they did is worth a song, drink and a movie or two.
I don't have a problem with the makers glorifying Sparta... the movie is just pure propoganda, but I think that's the point. It's the tale of the 300 as the Spartans would have told it, were the Spartans still around today, and mastering special effects and rock soundtracks. It's like a fishing story of the one that got away, where the fish multiplies in size many times in the telling. If you just accept that it's a campfire tale in that spirit, the propogandistic feel isn't a problem.
Besides which, I'm glad the Spartans inspired the Greeks to eventually win. The Spartans weren't 'good guys', necessarily, but for the purposes of that historical clash, I think they were definately 'the good guys'. What they did is worth a song, drink and a movie or two.
4 Comments:
Hey Joel, I think you missed the point...
It's a CHICK-FLICK! oh yeah.
Cheers Donna
You know, I did find myself wondering a few times, "did they really wear that little armour back then?" But then, these are the people who did the early Olympics in the nude. Bring back THAT tradition and watch the ratings...
Hahaha - while I did find the film entertaining (partly because of the costumes) I did feel the characters were lacking. But in some ways it would be very hard to find the drama of what is at stake amongst a society who are not afraid to die. The closest they come is with the Captain and his son to showing any real pain over the loss of life. If you aren't afraid of death then the actual facing of it cannot be portrayed as incredibly dramatic.
I think my mum will love the film - she has a thing for Gerard Butler.
Yeah, I agree with that about death and drama. But like I said, it's basically the propaganda film the Spartans would have made if they could, so you can expect all this nonsense about 'Spartans fear not death!' Which then turns out to be bull when the father grieves for his son, when the custom says he should be proud and happy his son died for Sparta.
It's in the same vein as 'We Spartans are free people!' yet live in a society so constricted by tradition it's impossible for anyone to exercise free choice. It's a propaganda film, and like most propaganda it doesn't bear close scrutiny. But it's still fun.
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