The film adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel "300", to me, is a roaring success.
The filming style used holds true to the art style of the novel, as well as the attitude. Most notably, another rule of filmmaking is broken with great results. They often will change the frame rate during many of the scenes, particularly during battles. The raw feeling you get from seeing a slow motion strike hit real motion the moment it hits the victim is quite a rush. They didn't overdo it. The CG visuals seemingly don't exist. The graphics work fits seamlessly into the scenes with the characters, making one unified picture, rather than something that looks fake.
The battles to not look choreographed. They look as if they are improvised, which provides more realism to the movie. Some of the kills made are bizarre and nearly all are grotesque due to the camera styles used. They definitely added more blood to each shot in post production. It without a doubt punches up the drama of the situation. Each different faction of soldiers has its own fighting style, and they stick with it. In that way we get a sense of different backgrounds from each foriegn fighting force.
The characters you love to hate are also big in this movie. In fact, when one such character finally got his just desserts with a timely death, the audience cheered. I LOVE it when that happens with a movie. You gain a sense of loyalty to the protagonist side, and cheer on their progress. There is also a good mix of humor in the film, especially when the Spartans show off their pride and arrogance towards everyone else. The scenes where the Spartan king speaks to the enemy characters is sweet as can be. I even laughed myself at how pissed they would get.
"300" displays themes about corruption, liberty, importance of family, and how the impact of a person's actions outweighs their words. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes bloody war movies. I also think that anyone who likes epic or dramatic movies will enjoy this as well. Be warned though... if you have a weak stomach, you may be better off skipping out on this one.
But in a movie that cool I can put up with it.
To me pointless sex scenes can ruin movies. Like BloodRayne! Although that movie was ruined without the pointless sex scene.
