First off I will say that while I enjoyed the movie, I felt a bit underwhelmed when the credits rolled. I should probably also say I haven't read the graphic novel, but I have studied the actual battle.
There were some very good scenes, in fact they were spectacular, however there was so much more they could have included. Yes, I know it's a Frank Miller movie, and he's a special kind of writer and artist, and the movie was very "Millertastic" to say the least.
I didn't care much for the bits of Gorgas' life after the 300 march off. It's not that I didn't care for her, but that the scenes honestly felt wedged into the movie. It broke the pacing even if it expanded what little plot there was.
Also, on the angle of macho men fighting a macho war with swords and spears...in the real battle the Spartans fought off four waves of Persians for the body of their king.
That is awesome and very strong symbolically....did Frank Miller just skip over that part? That's a bit unlike him if he did...there wasn't even a chunk of voice over to bring it up...
Also, the ending really stretched out past where an emotional ending could have occured. It dragged on and on, killing the tone of the aftermath...
Maybe I'm just a bit frustrated from having it overhyped. I like Butler, but I hope he doesn't get typecasted into this type of role. Still, not to sound too negative I did enjoy the movie, and would give it a solid A.
Labels: comics, frank miller, grand review, movie review, movies
