Yesterday I took my 13 year old nephew for the recently released ‘A’ certificate film – 300. Yup, this is what we called strict scrutiny at Mumbai’s multiplexes.
Anyway without spilling too many beans here, I would say if you love reading graphic novels and were completely floored by films like Lord of the Rings, Sin City and Gladiator – then 300 should be a must watch for you.
Not that I am a graphic novel kind-da person but I was really impressed with the way Gladiator was filmed; the mixing of orange and black with sparkling red, a bluescreen film is the correct technical term. 300 is basically an imaginary war flick based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, which tells us about the battle fought between 300 Spartans under the kingship of King Leonidas against the power-obsessed Persian King Xerxes and his army of more than a million men.
The film is brilliantly shot and involves many un-conventional characters such as goat creatures, a hunchback, giant sized elephants and the so called Persian Immortals.
As for the actors, well I am certain that most of the 300 Spartans were sourced from body building gyms across America. Their toned bodies looked like some muscle-bound, steroids injected machines. Even someone like Hrithik Roshan would look more of a fragile geek in front of these powerful men.
Actor Gerard Butler as King Leonidas is totally fantastic and would give one an impression as if the role was cut-out for him alone. Butler personifies completely as the Spartan King, giving the film all the sincerity and emotional support it needs to keep from getting tangled in a mess of meaningless violence, at times cliched dialogue and gory pictures.
According to many, Zack Snyder and his team have no only brought the “cool stuff†from the novel into the film but they have also managed to covey it as passionately as Frank Miller’s novel. As a side-effect, even when the film is long over you would continue to feel like a member of the 300 (hot looking) Spartans, going around kicking some Persian butts.
*Side note: A definite no-no for the faint hearted.
Comments
27 comments | Add your comment »
Gauravonomics
Mar 19th, 2007 at 11:46 am | #
I know what I’m watching next! I have been looking forward to 300 for months now.
AJ
Mar 19th, 2007 at 2:09 pm | #
an imaginary war flick
I’m not sure what is imaginary in this sentence, the war or the flick but one thing is for certain, the war (or rather the battle) was NOT imaginary but a real event.
Roshan D'Silva
Mar 19th, 2007 at 5:59 pm | #
Yup. It was not imaginary. Check out the entries on wikipedia.com !!
Parsi Khabar
Mar 19th, 2007 at 6:21 pm | #
You should also read this article
The director chickened out and did not want to call them Persians, so as not to disturb the sensibilities in these “troubled” times and hence called them Zoroastrians.
Seems like a nice time to go “embassey burning”….
Saakshi O. Juneja
Mar 20th, 2007 at 5:37 am | #
AJ & Roshan : I termed the film as an “imaginary war flick” cause there is no concrete proof to confirm the reality of what is shown in the film or the graphic novel. Even wikipedia and the producers of this film have labeled it as a “historical fantasy”. I am sure you guys are very aware of the controversy around the film….so I guess its best to place it in this genre.
Electra
Mar 20th, 2007 at 7:07 am | #
it is far from imaginary. it is up to date, perhaps one of the most important wars fought in all of history. although the spartans got badly beaten at thermopylae (and this is what 300 is about, the legendary battle of thermopylae), it because of this battle that the persians were situably weakned and lost every other battle that ensued. it is possibly the only reason the world we live in today isn’t a persian/muslim empire.
Nahida
Mar 20th, 2007 at 7:20 am | #
Electra : It’s amusing to see your belief in something which doesn’t hold a strong reasoning. Plus if what you say is so correct than how come the folks behind the film are not ready to speak the same words as you.
Everything just boils down to “what one wants to believe in”….in my view King Xerxes was one of the noblest ruler ever and during his kingship, the world was a better place. Whereas the Spartans are concerned they only believed in militancy.
Sneha
Mar 20th, 2007 at 9:52 am | #
Forget about whether the checks at the multiplexes are enough or not, isn’t it also every individual’s duty to try to keep kids away, from movies with excessive violence etc? Or at least try to. I know kids nowadays are pretty grown up by the time they are 13, on an average. Even then, I find it difficult to understand why would an adult want to voluntarily take along children to watch 300?
Its like breaking a law and then going around proudly saying – See nobody got me!
shadows
Mar 20th, 2007 at 10:05 am | #
Nahida, others, parsikhabar
Ohh wow.. now it turns out that the movie is unsecular.. Hey.. BAN IT .. hahahaha (evil laugh)
The truth is that even before Islam, Middle east was a barbaric place. And after Islam, it turned even more barbaric…
Sakshi,
Yeah, such a battle actually took place. But this movie was a historical fantasy based on that. The incident on which the movie is based is real, though many things in the movie are imaginary…
Ohh and by the way, another war between Greece and Persia took place at Marathon. After defeating Persia (nahi sudharte yeh log, pata nahi kitni baar haare hai ) , a soldier ran that distance to give the news to Athens. A real event, on which the marathon event of Olympics is based.
Saakshi O. Juneja
Mar 20th, 2007 at 10:07 am | #
Sneha : I may be partly guilty of what you have stated but then again I don’t regret taking him…as you said it yourself kids are quite matured these days plus its not that I took him for a porn flick or anything equally remorse.
The reason for taking him was simple….he had read the novel and therefore wanted to watch the film. It’s strange na…when there is no age-bracket set on the concerned graphic novel but still we have an “Adult” certification on the film.
And it’s not about proudly saying that I got away with un-lawful act, had we been stopped I would have watched the film alone. Lastly it boils down to choices one makes….as an adult I do realize what is good and what is not for the kids around me.
Gavin
Mar 20th, 2007 at 12:38 pm | #
I agree with Sakshi here, one’s sensibilities needs to prevail in such matters and only a fool would stand by reputation of the Indian censor board.
300 is a fantastic film with equally cool soundtrack. Everyone should watch it.
Parsi Khabar
Mar 20th, 2007 at 3:01 pm | #
SHADOWS, do you always make a point of showing your ignorance and racial bent of mind. Everytime you comment, you say something that shows a complete lack of intellect.
There is a big difference between the Middle East as perceived today and the Middle East during the time of the Persian Empire.
That is the moot point of my comment. If you had bothered to go and follow the link you would have gained some knowledge.
And the “Marathon” story was something we learnt in 5th standard. Thanks for enlightening us.
If you had a real interest in the story, you would have read a bit more.
The same Middle East that you criticize, was one of the earliest civilizations that mankind knows. However from your comments…”civilized” is a trait you dont own, nor comprehend.
Read more about the Persian Empire and about Mesopotamia, and it will remove some of the cobwebs from your skull.
Your stupid Islam-bashing is a trait that goes across posts, and even in the past you have brought down every conversation to a “hate muslims” propoganda.
Frankly, I wish that one of these days, your loudmouth gets you into trouble and you get a few bones broken by the same muslims that you so blindly hate. I would sit and applaud.
P.S. An apology to all other readers, for completely digressing off topic. But when you see a fire, you gotta pour water first and not turn a blind eye
shadows
Mar 21st, 2007 at 8:36 am | #
>> SHADOWS, do you always make a point of showing your ignorance
AFAIK, this is the first time I am talking to you.
>> Everytime you comment, you say something that shows a complete lack of intellect.
Yep, dear friend, I am not an intellectual. Nor do I want to be.
Geddit!! I would rather be a plain factual guy, rather than a scheming pseudo-intellectual.
Ok, now, rather than spewing venom at me, please be factual and reasonable. This verbal assault isnt going to get you anywhere.
Ohh, by the way, read the complete history of Greek-Persian wars. Thermopylae was just one battle. Salamis and Marathon were others, where the Persians were clearly the aggressors. Now, where am I wrong. I am stating the facts. Truth hurts, I guess.
>> There is a big difference between the Middle East as perceived today and the Middle East during the time of the Persian Empire.
Ohh ohh ohh.. such love for the middle East. Are you Indian ?? I guess not.
Anyway, the Middle East was as barbaric. Even during the times of the Persian empire, barbaric tribes like bedouin and turks existed. Again, I say read up on the whole history of the wars between Greece and Persia. Persians attacked Greece, and not the other way round. This was because some Greek states that were under Persian yoke, were revolting, with the help of the free Greek states. And nothing wrong with a freedom fight ; whats sauce for the goose.. etc.
>>If you had bothered to go and follow the link you would have gained some knowledge.
A link posted by you, to your own site ! hehehe
>> And the “Marathon†story was something we learnt in 5th standard
Yeah, and its true, if you are not enlightened enough.
>>The same Middle East that you criticize, was one of the earliest civilizations that mankind knows.
The Babylonian and Sumerian. Not the later ones…
Why dont you read history? Either you know all this and still indulge in deliberate half-facts, or you are dumb.
>> However from your comments…â€civilized†is a trait you dont own, nor comprehend.
Yep, I am not civilized. And I dont want to be. Hope its clear. Now come to the facts, now that some things are agreed upon and settled
>> every conversation to a “hate muslims†propoganda.
Every ?? Every !! Stop exaggerating.
.
I state the facts and reasons – I never post – “Hey guys, lets hate xyz” ..
>> Frankly, I wish that one of these days, your loudmouth gets you into trouble and you get a few bones broken by the same muslims that you so blindly hate
hahahaha
LOLzzz.. If wishes were horses, beggars…
(BTW, do you just realize that you inadvertently just contradicted the belief that you have been defending so far – muslims are peaceful and tolerant.
And yeah, I have already been beaten up by muslims, and no, not because I was a loudmouth. It was just because I was not one of them. It was because we were silently walking by and a Moharram procession was eve-teasing and generally feeling violent. Kids wearing caps started kicking us (me and a friend of mine, near my college) for fun. You may applaud now).
ranajit Kumar
Mar 21st, 2007 at 9:02 am | #
Screw the Persians.
shadows
Mar 21st, 2007 at 9:04 am | #
Ok, Parsi Khabar,
Lets accept that you are right. Lets ban the movie. Its insensitive and unsecular. Ok.
Do you then think that Water and Mf Hussein paintings should be banned , by the same yardsticks. ? (i know it does not concern you.. but still)
Or Not, since we are supposed to be tolerant, aint we ? Would that then imply that you are intolerant… ? Clear hai !! (Have a sprite, tumhe satya ka gyaan ho jayega)
Just answer this – In all the wars that Persia fought with Europe, who was the aggressor ??
Now, lets say Persia was not doing it because it was barbaric or Islamic. Yes, they were doing it because they were imperialistic and wanted to expand their empire. True. Yeah , imperialism was the norm during those times. But it was/still is wrong. So are you protesting against the depiction of Persians in the movies? If yes, are you not defending the wrong actions of the Persians?
Hint – Do Germans and Japanese protest against the depiction of their imperialistic designs ? If no, why?
ParsiKhabar, you may protest against “false misrepresentations” or “depiction of exceptions as the norm” part. You will be totally right there. Right?
So now, do you think we have the right to protest the innumerable works that depict us all as “people who send widows to work as prostitutes or burn them” ?
Ohh the hypocrisy of it all ….
You will never understand.
shadows
Mar 21st, 2007 at 9:07 am | #
ParsiKhabar,
Even today, see that Iran (and in general, most of the middle east, and Islamic south Asia) is a terrorist nation, ready to fire nuclear missiles at Jewish folks and us Indians.
Ohh and by the way, try to answer Ranajit Kumar please
shadows
Mar 21st, 2007 at 9:14 am | #
>>> I agree with Miller and find the movie grossly misleading and offensive to millions of Persians.
Parsi khabar,
I actually visited the link you provided. (I am always open to information, open to facts, logic and reasoning).
Now, why “millions of Persians” .. how many Parsis are there ??
Parsi Khabar
Mar 21st, 2007 at 2:05 pm | #
SHADOWS
I do not wish to be the instigator of the display of foolishness that you are putting on to this website. Hence i will take the high ground here.
We can resume talking when u grow up in a few years.
Vi
Mar 21st, 2007 at 4:58 pm | #
I saw this movie three times–once in imax–and I absolutely adored it.
People need to keep its content in perspective.
shadows
Mar 22nd, 2007 at 7:55 am | #
>> We can resume talking when u grow up in a few years.
errr.. are you really that old ? Chickening out, eh ? Come on buddy, I am talking facts and reasons here.. no high grounds and ideals…
How come you havent learnt anything at your age?
>> I do not wish to be the instigator
You already initiated the biggest foolishness…. Guess what, the people of the Persian empire were…. Persians !!!
shadows
Mar 22nd, 2007 at 8:01 am | #
Ohh its you, crazy jerk.. Arzan.. So you are the one who writes crap on Parsikhabar too..
I sure have nothing against your community.. but your stupid protests for non-reasons.. arent you behaving in the same manner as SIMI terrorists and Shiv Sena ? Think about it.
Dont come to conclusions about me being anti-Parsi (as you have done earlier), because I slash you apart so easily. Its because you are a moron talking ideals without understanding them practically, not because you are a Parsi.
Guess its you who needs to grow up… chicken. You do not have any facts or reasoning to offer and so such stupid comments. Why dont you try shutting up when you dont know anything ?
BTW, how many newspapers do you read per day, nowadays
shadows
Mar 22nd, 2007 at 8:05 am | #
Hey guys/gals,
Watch the movie as soon as you can.. Its gonna be banned soon… Parsikhabar is hell bent on getting it done.
Roshan D'Silva
Mar 22nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm | #
oh wow. Seems like this has really become a controversial issue. I also seem to have been misled. Wikipedia says It’s loosely based on history and the story itself as depicted in 300 is fantasy. I would have been pretty surprised that it could be real anyhow. Cheers,
shadows
Mar 22nd, 2007 at 4:48 pm | #
Roshan,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae
True story. Ok, the movie is a fantasy and the numbers are inflated.. In reality, it was about 1000 Greeks vs 100,000 Persians, not 300. And no, nothing like the distorted creatures in the movie.
If you read from that link, independent democratic city-states of Greece united against an imperialistic Persian empire.
Also, the article is locked against editing.
shadows
Mar 22nd, 2007 at 4:49 pm | #
Ooops the link…
“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Thermopylae”
OR
Here
Ambuj Saxena
Mar 27th, 2007 at 8:11 pm | #
Saw the movie today. Was a bit disappointed. In today’s world of hi-color movies, 300 had just two colors: Golden and Brown. Of course there were occasional Maroon (dress robe) and Red (Blood….OMG!!!), but these additional colors were included because the script demanded it.
On a more general note, was the movie that was shown in theatres devoid of sexually implicit scenes. The DVD that I saw from had quite elaborate depictions of sexual activity. Not a “porn flick”, but by no standards clean. I can’t see the movie with any kid under 18. Possible they edited out the scenes for theatre release, but the same were included in the DVD versions. I was disappointed with the movie for another reason. The movie had a lot of violence, but little action. It was just a story of adrenaline-pumped men, and there was little innovation in fight sequences. I got bored by the second/third fight sequence. It was also quite painful to see both the foreground and background in focus for most of the shots. Even the on-location shots were artificially sharpened for that special feel of the movie, but for a critic like me, it was a turn-off because I couldn’t understand what the director wanted me to see/focus at. For something that is supposed to be based on a true story, goat-men and other assorted zoo of exotic creatures don’t go well with the script. I haven’t read the book, but have a gut feeling that it is the director who has taken extra-ordinary liberty.
Gagan Bassi
Mar 29th, 2007 at 12:12 pm | #
Just two words:
” Watch 300 “