300 (DVD)

I think this is a bit of a man's film, for god's sake don't sit down to watch it with the wife and kids. You'll see more kills in this film than the next 300 you might watch, not to mention the serious maiming !
This true story centres on a crack army of 300 Spartans facing a huge Persian force, the Spartans gather in a small pass so their enemy can only advance a few at a time and boy they can work a sword !
I know this is over dramatised and although this did happen it didn't happen quite like this but that aside this Greek version of Zulu will not disappoint.

In Ancient Greece, a group of 300 Spartan warriors are all that stand against an invincible army. A vivid, bloodthirsty adaptation of the graphic novel by 'Sin City' creator Frank Miller, from the director of the 2004 remake of Dawn Of The Dead
The legendary Battle of Thermopylae may have first made it to the screen in 1962's The 300 Spartans, but this new cinematic incarnation of the story is an historical epic unlike any other. The latest example of 'virtual studio' filmmaking, where actors are shot against blue screens and sparse sets while the surrounding environments are generated through CGI, it's a stylised action adventure that takes the sword and sandal genre and pushes it in an exaggerated, dream-like direction. Transferring the dynamic visuals of the original graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynne Varley to the big screen, in a similar manner to previous Miller adaptation Sin City, the result is a delirious, turbo-charged roar of a movie that plays like Spartacus on bizarre drugs.
Set in 480 BC, the story kicks off with an introduction to the kingdom of Sparta, where a civilisation centred around combat has created some of the finest warriors ever seen, and is ruled over by the fiercely honourable King Leonidas (Butler). When a messenger arrives from the tyrannical god-king Xerxes, telling Leonidas that Sparta will be the next kingdom to fall unless it surrenders, the king's immediate reaction is to kick the news bearer and his bodyguards down the nearest well.

Unfortunately, he soon finds Xerxes has bribed Sparta's politicians and religious elders, and thanks to this, Leonidas is now forbidden by law from unleashing the country's army against Xerxes. Still refusing to surrender, the king takes 300 volunteers and marches towards the Hot Gates at Thermopylae, a narrow cliff pass that's also the only route into Sparta for any invading army. Here, it doesn't matter that Leonidas's forces are massively outnumbered, and as Xerxes' army arrives, the fighting skills of the 300 Spartans are soon being tested in a series of gigantic confrontations with near-unstoppable opponents.

Right from the outset, the film makes occasional nods towards accuracy and realism, but is mostly happy to abandon these elements in favour of creating a truly mythological version of the battle. The whole film is like an exaggerated remix of reality, from the leperous, sex-crazed priests to the troll-like berserkers and inhuman 'Immortals' in Xerxes' army. Combining all this with the graphic novel's imagery, and director Zack Snyder's near-expressionist approach to the action, the results make recent attempts at the historical genre like Troy or King Arthur look pathetically feeble by comparison.

Once the combat kicks off, it's a symphony of breathtakingly gory action, as bare flesh is punctured by spears, heads are lopped off in close-up and the screen is regularly showered in blood. Coming across like a blend of modern action movies and the heavily stylised world of 1920s-era silent cinema, 300 doesn't reach the sadistic excesses of Robert Rodriguez's take on Sin City, and isn't quite as rigorous in following the original graphic novel, yet still perfectly captures the book's energetic widescreen flavour.

Verdict
A blood-soaked, aggressive tale of heroism and courage against all odds, 300 makes up in energy and eye-popping visuals for what it might lack in subtlety.

This film is simply AWESOME!!!! The way it is shot is nothing short of genius and the fight scenes are excellent also....love it 10/10

300 is totally made on CGI special effects.
Itis weird to watch to begin with, but you get used to it.
It allows for some graphic effects.
The story itself is awe inspiring.

For once the hype about this move was right...its brilliant!
Once the full blooded action starts it doesn't end, it is certainly not a movie for the squeamish with heads and other limbs being severed with swords and axes,
Knowing that the movie is based upon a real battle makes it all the more shocking to watch.
The two disc special edition features many extras which alone are worth watching, one point that I'd like to raise is that the 300 is only a 15 certificate, in my opinion the fight scenes are way too graphic for someone of this age to watch, there is no doubt in my mind that an 18 certificate would have been more appropriate. Anyhow, Happy viewing!

wow what a movie..filmed in grey tones with splashes of vivid colour.is almost like watching a comic come to life..this film is not based on facts but on pure fantasy.and what fun..the battle scenes are fab with some cracking one liners.a feast for the eyes especially us ladies!!.very violent but war always is..300 spartans set out to war against a pierced egotistical god to keep there people free.knowing they wont all survive if any, they fight with all they have and more while the queen tries to gather another army..one very strong female lead-weakness is for losers....

If you like visuals, you will love this. If you like action, you will love this. If you like story, you will love this.

'300' grips you from the start. Based on true events, this rollercoaster ride film will take you on a journey of Patriotism, betrayal, determination pure action!

Near the start of the main battle is one of the most awsome scenes ever. With a feel like the matrix, see the kind move from fo to fo, and then watch each single kill in slow motion of this first wave in slow motion. Watch him give deadly blows with his spear, taking soldiers out with his shield, double kills, all in slow motion. This scene has you gripped and on your seat for the rest of the film as pure excelence follows all the way through.

If you liked 'We were soldiers', you will love this, as most of the film, like WWS, is mainly focused on the battle.

Overall, this film is excelent in all regions, storyline, visuals, action and special effects right to the very end.

One warning, I would not reccomend to those with a soft gut, this film can get gory!

Buy it, watch it, love it!

300 is without a doubt my favourite film of all time. I struggle to watch it without jumping around cheering like as if i was watching the world cup final! Action filled from the second the film starts, it only takes a couple of minutes before you're loving King Leonidas and his spartans as they destroy the first wave of persian attacks against unthinkable odds. By the end of the film, you know whats going to happen (you do if you know the story of Thermopylae anyway)but it doesn't take anything away from the action and adventure. The ultimate boys film!

I decided to buy ity becous it is one of the best movies ever!!!!!! Love the concept and so diffrent aproche to color in movie.

one of the best films i have seen in a long time. it shows how a few can fight against the majority. if you want to see a good film then watch this.

Ok i will keep it short and sweet!

WOW!

Girls this is so not a guy film only, there are more rippling torsos than you know what to do with and Gerard Butler is just simply divine to say the least. Very insightful and a passionate portrayal of a real life event.

Well worth watching!

A great film, very nice blood and gore with a superb storyline, based on real events. With HD/Bluray dont think theres anything wrong with your disc, the film is meant to be slightly grainy and isnt really what youd expect from a HD film. It is better than standard DVD quality but you wont get the sharpness youd expect since its meant to be nitty gritty. If you like people getting stabbed, limbs chopped off and beheadings then youll love this film. Probably worth renting rather than buying (unless its cheap as chips) as its a watch twice kinda film then youll have lost interest. Worth watching not worth buying.

Let's give Frank Miller his due: he's the cartoonist who tamed Hollywood. While the work of revered writers like Alan Moore is routinely shredded on film, Miller's high-contrast style arrives almost untouched, first in Sin City and now in 300, a bloody, hugely entertaining take on the Battle of Thermopylae. This is the story of 300 Spartans, led by Gerard Butler's King Leonidas, who took on a million invading Persians with nothing more than spears, shields and excellent muscle tone.

It's refreshing, having sat through innumerable movies about the horrors of conflict, to find one that genuinely thinks war is ace. In the hands of director Zack Snyder (Dawn Of The Dead), 300 is a hurricane blast of epic energy - two solid hours of big, beefy men stabbing each other and yelling "RAAAAARGH!" as loud as they can. It's a film written entirely in capital letters, shot with a visual flair that rivals Zhang Yimou in a palette so stylised that it might as well be animation. Like Sin City, 300 is all about the look - and like Sin City, it has the moral sophistication of a lynch mob. The glorificaton of the body, the dehumanised enemy, the sheer relentless carnage presented as poetry and ballet - 300 is almost fascistic in its devotion to war and heroism.

300 is a valentine to violence, hilariously macho and eye-poppingly homo-erotic. It's also the best thing that Gerard Butler has ever done. Resplendent in his scarlet robe and sixpack, sporting a beard like a furry popcorn tub, Butler's warrior king brings both a sense of humour and a brooding intelligence to the slaughter. He's well supported by Lena Headey as his queen, who is thanklessly stuck at home to fend off Dominic West's slime-coated politician.

"A VALENTINE TO VIOLENCE"

300 is not a complicated film. It's going to be widely ridiculed and rightly so, because viewed with the slightest critical distance it becomes extremely funny, but taken on it's own terms - as Greek myth meets Looney Tunes - it's kind of a masterpiece.

Amazing , never seen the film before ,first DVD I've seen of it for ages so I bought it , very , very cool film bit sad at the end like when he dies along with his men

I found 300 an amazing kind of film. It retells the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, using both live action and CGI animation. This epic novel by Frank Miller has blood and action and breathtaking battle scenes. King Leonidas ( played by Gerald Butler) and 300 Spartans battle too to death against Xerres( played by Rodrigo Santoro) and his gigantic Persian army. I found the film abit slow at first, but as soon as the battle started, it took my breath away and I was hooked til the end. The movie is about not giving up even in the most dire of situations. Staying proud and fighting for what you believe in. Fantastic film. You must own it if you like awesome battle scenes.

One of my favourite films of all time, purely excellent.

ok so if you are a history buff, your not going to find a great deal of accuracy here, but for any avif film fan, this is simply a completely amazing film, ive watched it 6 times already and could watch it many a time more.

A must see for everyone

The movie caught my attention because it reminds me of how courageous we once was as a people who stood up, fought and died even though the odds were against us.

Was not sure reading the box, but a superb film. I think anyone who likes Gladiator & Spartius will enjoy this!!

fantastic film. great action and beautiful film-making. acting is great and music haunting. recommend highly

This film is part anime part real film, its loaded with classic one liners, perfectly delivered with impecable timing, it uses artistic license on the history side of thing but can be forgiven because of its all action directing.

That is the real legend! That is the first ever recorded epitome of valour and heroism! The battle of Thermopylae! And this movie is the best ever tribute to the memory of those obeyed the law and fallen for the freedom.
"Too much bloody violence," would comment a hypocrite. "Too unbeatable Spartans," would dispute an actualist. "Too monstrous Persians," would echo a caring parent. Yes, it too unrealistic! Because it's the LEGEND!!! It is the everlasting example of the society which dared to resist the common sense to become history. Because it is the only way to enter eternity, to reach immortality. It is the way of genius - to be out of the common sense.

Would recommend to those interested in the perpetual dispute of a philistine and the hero, to those who want to understand the hidden meaning of the death and immortality.

Ingenious plot; not too close relation to the history which earns extra points for no one can tell us the real truth on the battle; flaring characters, even minor ones; charismatic colours; great sound. Attention to the details is above all praises. Fabulous!!!Spectabulous!!! And Xerxes - it is my favorite personage. Must see!!!

This blu-ray dvd of 300, was probably the worst action movie I have ever seen. There is fourty five minutes of boredom, then an hour and a ten minutes of dreadful fight scenes that are not done very well. It does not even look good on screen as the director has added an effect to make the picture look gritty. What is the point of releasing it on blu-ray, as the blu-ray picture should be the best you can get, and adding effects like this does not do the movie any favours. This movie is just rubbish.

A gripping, tense action movie with a hint of the theatricals, bloody gory but bloody good! Worth a watch without the kids in the room.