A splendid slice of Greek history - 300
SAVAGE ACTION: 300 — the gore translated into absorbing visuals.
Genre: Historical
Director: Zack Snyder Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, Dominic West, Rodrigo Santoro.
Storyline: A hand-picked army of 300 Spartans fights to the death against the invading Persian hordes. This act of heroic sacrifice inspires the Greeks to unite against and defeat the common enemy.
Bottomline: Much more than a costume extravaganza.
The glorious exploits of the Spartans merit special mention in the annals of Greek history. Among the city-states, Sparta was a harsh training ground famed for its warriors who prized their freedom and honour above all else. Survival of the fittest dictated the Spartan's very existence.
The Persian army of King Xerxes invaded mainland Greece, circa 480 B.C. Although their navy was partly storm-destroyed, they marched inland. The Spartans, led by their legendary general and king Leonidas, killed the arrogant Persian emissaries and fought back, taking their stand in the mountains at Thermopylae, where a narrow pass controlled the only road between Thessaly and Central Greece.
Leonidas's 300-strong handpicked army was no match for the Persian juggernaut. If death was a certainty for every one of the 300 Spartans whose credo was `No retreat, no surrender,' so was their magnificent courage in facing it, with the resolve to decimate as much of the enemy as possible.
It is this epic Battle of Thermopylae that Zack Snyder brings to life, based on Frank Miller's acclaimed graphic novel. Historical accuracy is not a strong point of the script. However, Snyder's intensity and passionate espousal of Miller's vision make the clash of steel on steel ring true.
(Snyder is co-writer, along with Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon).
Naturally, savage action, blood and spilled guts are part of the deal.
Yet, Snyder aided by Larry Fong's cinematography actually translates gore into visual poetry in each gorgeously composed frame.
There is a mesmerising quality to the choreography in this dance of death, where brutality is underscored by the lithe grace of male bodies sculpted to perfection. Amazing special effects include stunning battle formations, the Spartans' ever-changing sword-shield permutations and the monstrous freaks unleashed by the Persians.
Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) is an intimidating vision in outrageous designer bling a biker would give his eye teeth for, complete with eye-liner and effeminate posturing. Inspirational shouting apart, Gerard Butler as Leonidas turns in a very creditable performance, bringing dignity to his role by steering clear of over-the-top histrionics. His earthy appeal and crinkly-eyed smile are potent weapons in his armoury.
The ferocity of the battle scenes is effectively juxtaposed with a quieter canvas featuring the scheming politician Theron (Dominic West at his hateful best) and Leonidas's wife, Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey), defined as an emotionally strong, empowering woman who is her husband's equal and has his love and respect in full measure.
KLT
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