300

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

http://300themovie.warnerbros.com/

Another Frank Miller movie, folks :D

And from the looks of the early concept treatments, it looks to be gorgeous.

[jjwr]

Miller did a 5 or 6 part comic series on this. Very well done as is expected from Miller. Gotta love Roman era combat :)

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

It got made into a hardcover graphic novel (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569714029/qid=1138720496/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-0516418-2731229?n=507846&s=books&v=glance) that I first saw in Seattle during my college days. After thumbing through it and eventually reading the entire thing over the span of more than a few comic shop visits, I knew I would one day own it. Being the ramen-eating starving artist that college made me though, I would have to wait.

My waiting is over now, and I plan on getting it within the week.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Dredging this thread back up because the 300 trailer is out. It's being pulled from most if not all sites, but it can be found here (http://download.ifilm.com/qt/portal/2773266_300.mov) still.

I'm so seeing this.

[Titus Aelius Malleolus]

Molon Labe :cool

[Wil Mienstrire]

And I might or might not have the trailer if anyone wants to ask and see if I have this alledged probably nonexistant trailer that I can send them if it really does exist, on my computer that is ;) . Just IM me or pm me.

I mean, I know its right on there on the link, but who wouldn't like to have a trailer that I might not have on their very own computer for luxury's viewing whenever they want?

[Liam Jinn]

Ok, I'm sold. Can't wait to see this movie

[Lion El' Jonson]

I think I wet myself at some point when I heard Nine Inch Nails in the background.

"THIS...IS...SPARTA!!!!!!!" */kick*

[CMJ]

I saw it about a month ago. It was about 90% done at the time. Gorgeous to look at, but I can't say I found it that compelling. The overall crowd reaction was positive though, so I'm sure I'll be in the minority.

[Miranda Tarkin]

I loved the graphic novel, Frank Miller fan I am! :D I'm was seeing this the moment I heard about it being made!

[Kale]

Don't know if I'll see it yet, but the trailer inspired me to sketch. :cool

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I can't get the frickin' trailer to work. :shakefist

[Titus Aelius Malleolus]

Damn, I just heard that they mangled the whole "Molon Labe" part in the graphic novel. Here's to hoping for a better delivery in the movie.

"Persians, come and get it!" does not have the same ring to it as:

Xerxes: We are 600,000, you are 300. Surrender your spears.

Leonidas: Come and take them!

[Aurelias Kazaar]

I just read the graphic novel...I'm ready for the movie :)

[Shawn]

Here's the official trailer, which is a little different from the leaked preview.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/300/trailer1/

[Titus Aelius Malleolus]

http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=14085

I'm pretty up for it, even if they apparently butchered my favorite line in the graphic novel.

[Shawn]

HD Caps:

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7199/30001il9.th.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30001il9.jpg) http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/5485/30002ff7.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30002ff7.jpg) http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9540/30003oa0.th.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30003oa0.jpg)
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4973/30004ef5.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30004ef5.jpg) http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7592/30005kh9.th.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30005kh9.jpg) http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6461/30007ce7.th.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30007ce7.jpg)

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Threads merged. :)

edit: finally got to see the trailer - it looks awesome visually. I love the style of the movie, I hope it is as good as it seems it'll be. :D

[Lilaena De'Ville]

This is opening on Friday! Who's going? :D :crack

[Nathanial K'cansce]

I really really want to go. So hopefully me.

[Rutabaga]

I'm pretty sure I'll be going. Not sure if it will be on opening weekend, but I'm definitely intrigued.

[Ryan Pode]

Why can't they just make a movie based on actual history? Rah. The actual story is good enough. Doesn't need all this comic book crap in it.

[Shawn]

Hell, why do we even write fictional movies and books? Might as well base everything off retelling the same historical tales over and over and over.

If you want to see a more realistic version of the story, go rent The 300 Spartans (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055719/).

[Ryan Pode]

I have seen it. It just pains me. As an ex-history major, I wrote a 25 page paper on the battle of Thermopylae. It's like my most favored and revered moment of history. Granted, I wish I knew I was going to change majors before I took a class that had me write a 25 page paper.

[Mr. Flux]

God this movie looks like it's gonna rock so incredibly hard. I've been looking forward to this since I saw the previews a little before christmas.

I also can't wait to get my hands on the soundtrack. Sounds. So. Good.

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Doesn't need all this comic book crap in it.

I feel that that's all part of the experience. Especially for fans of Frank Miller - and Miller himself, I imagine.

I mean, think about it. One day you decide to write about a historical event. But to make it your own in a way; to give it your own artistic touch so that everyone will know you were the author/artist/etc, you accentuate events with minor additions, subtractions, and other stuff like that. You keep the story and its' major events, but you take liberties with the smaller bits.

And then, along comes a film studio that wants to make your little story into a movie, and they want to do it justice by preserving your style as much as they possibly can.

300 is one man's artistic vision of Thermopylae - simple as that.

[Ryan Pode]

Saw a midnight screening and if I pretend Sparta and Greece are about as real as Oompa-Loompas, then it was a decent movie at best.

[Zereth Lancer]

I just got back from the movie, and I enjoyed it incredibly.

I have to agree with what most of the critics are saying. The combat scenes are so awesome, so awe-inspiring, so bloody, so supercharged, so, yeah, I could go on like this for hours. But the non-combat scenes, the everyday scenes happening back in Sparta and the moment between the battles are all kind of boring and bland, like they have no flavor. I think it's just the way they shot those scenes that makes them so odd.

The large amount of sexuality I found to be rather disappointing. I don't think a movie that good needs all that garbage in it to draw the crowds, and I also think it keeps the movie from being accessible to the age group that would enjoy the battle scenes the most and ignore the flaws the most.

All in all, I loved the movie. I can't say it's a favorite, but if I could just get all the battle scenes I'd watch them over and over. It's gets a 8-10 from me. Not that it matters. :D

[Lilaena De'Ville]

You should know that they added a lot of stuff into Frank Miller's 300 to make it long enough to be a movie. Most of the fantastical elements are not in the original graphic novel (if what I read is to be believed).

Going to see it this afternoon. :D Can't wait. And Zereth - read the ratings before you go to see movies and be prepared to close your eyes if it says "R - graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity" I mean, I agree that movies don't need to be graphic with sex and most are, but don't be surprised when its in there when the movie is clearly rated R for it.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

As a history major, I knew it wasn't going to be 'historically accurate' but I didn't care. As s'Il said earlier, it's an artistic interpretation. And a very, VERY nice looking one.

Greatness :)

[Zem-El Vymes]

I just got back from the movie, and I enjoyed it incredibly.

I have to agree with what most of the critics are saying. The combat scenes are so awesome, so awe-inspiring, so bloody, so supercharged, so, yeah, I could go on like this for hours. But the non-combat scenes, the everyday scenes happening back in Sparta and the moment between the battles are all kind of boring and bland, like they have no flavor. I think it's just the way they shot those scenes that makes them so odd.

The large amount of sexuality I found to be rather disappointing. I don't think a movie that good needs all that garbage in it to draw the crowds, and I also think it keeps the movie from being accessible to the age group that would enjoy the battle scenes the most and ignore the flaws the most.

All in all, I loved the movie. I can't say it's a favorite, but if I could just get all the battle scenes I'd watch them over and over. It's gets a 8-10 from me. Not that it matters. :D

Ancient Greece was many things, most of which being bloodshed and exposed genitalia. I'm not sure how you can "prude up" a Greek epic.

[JMK]

I feel like a puny sub-human after seeing this. :(

At least I really enjoyed the severed limbs.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

My friend and I walking out of the movie theater:

My friend: "Dude, all those Spartans were jacked. Their muscles had muscles!"
Me: "I have to go to the gym more often. :("


Wow. I enjoyed it thoroughly. Well done.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

"Only Spartan women give birth to true men."

Best line. ;) I loved this movie, it was terrific. :thumbup :thumbup

[Razielle Alastor]

"Only Spartan women give birth to true men."

Best line. ;) I loved this movie, it was terrific. :thumbup :thumbup

Agreed.


As for the sex. -shrug- They didn't go around covering up their bodies out of shame, such stupidity hadn't been invented yet.

My only critique was how they portrayed the oracle. She was visually stunning, but they didn't need to make her float around the room like Father Marin needed to be called in. A tripod and some volcanic fumes would have sufficed. :)

The Pythia of Delphi concluded that either Sparta would be destroyed, or their King must give up his life. I was more than miffed when nothing was mentioned of that. :(

[Shawn]

$70 million opening weekend. It's the third largest opening weekend for an R-rated movie - after The Matrix Reloaded and The Passion of the Christ.

I'm probably going to add to that by seeing it a second time. :cool

[Mitch]

Frikkin' awesome. An epic movie that's actually epic.

[Karl Valten]

Saw it yesterday with a bunch of friends. A lot better than I expected it to be.

Some quotes from friends:

"Hehehehe, they're a turtle."

"Why does Xerxes need a harem? He's obviously gay."

"Holy crap, the spartans make John look small." (John is the most ripped kid at my school.)

"FOR SPARTA." (every sentence the guy said ended with this line.)

[Rutabaga]

Hm...interesting, apparently the entire country of Iran is up in arms re: 300....

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1598886,00.html?cnn=yes

I'm planning on going to see it Sunday, all I'm expecting/looking for is tremendous eye candy :D.

[Jecht Tar]

We all felt like killing stuff after watching the movie, but we only had pens for weapons, and we rationalized that we would not kill much with pens. We needed spears and swords, and since we had neither we just went home to sleep off the bloodlust.

[Shawn]

I'm playing through God of War II to satisfy my craving for more Spartan butt kicking. :D

[Zem-El Vymes]

Shawn, you should just do what I do and get Spartan battle cries tattooed on you.

[Zem-El Vymes]

Finally saw it.

Pro's:

It was like watching Herodotus telling a story that was told by Herodotus. Or in other words, a good imitation of historic historical fiction. People who claim it isn't serious enough or historically accurate enough really don't get Thermopylae at all, or Herodotus for that matter either. This story is universally known precisely because it's so outlandish. If you're honestly suprised that Greeks can tell a story and stretch the truth, man maybe history isn't your bag.

Also on a minor but very important note, I got my Molon Labe moment :D

Cons:

I didn't like the spilled blood effect much. I know they wanted to remind us that this is a comic book movie from that guy who made another comic book movie, but the stylized blood looked like rust colored dirt more than it did blood. It's a minor nitpick, but I don't know why they didn't go for some cherry, high-gloss CG blood to match the rest of the pretties.

Also what the hell is this "freedom freedom freedom" crap? This ain't Athens. Democracy is for philosophers and boy-lovers.

[Shawn]

Also on a minor but very important note, I got my Molon Labe moment :DI was sitting in the theater thinking "Man, Charley's going to be happy they changed that back."

As for the bit about the blood: I'm pretty sure I read that they had to do that to avoid the movie getting an NC-17 rating.

[Zem-El Vymes]

That's fine. Like I said it wasn't a huge nitpick.

I do think the best thing about this movie is that everybody ends up asking me if I've seen it, and all I have to do is yank the collar of my shirt down. Greek nationalist catchphrases on your chest generally put you in the market for 300.

[Rutabaga]

Feel the need for bloodshed...muhahahahaha :evil.

Very, very good movie. I really liked it a lot. Visually stunning, and a great historical epic, even if they did take some liberties with historic accounts of the battle. And as for the sex...you know, I was actually surprised at how little there was of it, after some of the comments I've read here and at other places. The one major sex scene was between a husband and wife who loved each other--geez, how often does that happen in movies? :mischief--and it was very tastefully done. And I personally had no problem that there were all these men running around wearing nearly nothing ;). Um, except for Xerxes, I'll pass on that :lol.

Oh, did anyone else see the new Spider-Man 3 trailer before 300? I did today, and I was a little surprised at major spoilage re: Venom. But still, looks like it's gonna be great :thumbup.

[Yog]

Watched this to find out what all the fuss is about.. and wow, what a movie. The cinematography, art direction, editing, special effects and incredible brutal and violent battle scenes are fantastic. Its also breaks so many norms in film making, its more art than movie.

Just like with Sin City, I got some mixed feelings about it. Its balancing on a sword thin edge (pardon the pun) of brilliant conceptual art on one side, and highly speculative kitch trash on the other side. I am not sure if I should love it or hate it. Part of me loves the visual beauty, the absolute uncompromising direction, the political incorrect macho violence. Its soooo wrong, but so right at the same time. On the other hand, I am no fan of the monstrous portraying of the Persians, although thats what the Spartans would have you believe through myths and legends. Nor the god like battle provess of the spartans slaying through thousands of soldiers like they were cockroaches. Or the extreme fictionous approach losely based on real events, glorifying death and violence with a black and white hero / villain set up. Yes, I realise its based on a comic book, but even from an artistic point of view, its so overdone, it becomes absurd. You don't have to be a historian to realize the movie is incredible unrealistic and over the top. Allmost laughable at times.

Still.. the technical brilliance, the visual beauty and the adrenalin rush of the battles wins the day. I must also reluctanty admit that King Leonidas, Ellas and Xerxes do have a certain charisma on the screen, even if they do feel like stereotypes. Despite my reservations, I have to say it is a well done movie. 300 is so outlandish and different to all the fluff out there, its a must see for film buffs and open minded casual viewers alike. I can see why some would find it unappealing, if not outright revolting, but if you try and enjoy it for what it is, its borderline masterpiece, epic and quite possibly the event movie of the year. Don't miss out.

I give it 8/10

[Zem-El Vymes]

Yog, the "original story" told through Herodotus was a politically charged propaganda story. Doing homage to Herodotus would in turn account for that same bias.

I mean, you could certainly do a stab at a historically-accurate Thermopylae movie. It just wouldn't be anything resembling 300 or what we all know about the battle.

[Kaast Dulli]

i just saw it. i feel like going out and kicking the crap out of someone. for sparta.

i really enjoyed the slo-mo combat action. it gave it a more burtal and poetic feel. an appreacation(sp) for the actors movements and the ability to keep track of the charcters(sp) in battle. a great film.