300

Went to see it tonight. The theatre was fucking packed. My Gamestop cohorts and I had to buy tickets about fifteen minutes early. Then we realized we’d forgotten to get tickets for one more of our group, and by that time they’d sold out. Finally, after a long debate, the ticket guy somehow got us that one ticket. ‘Course, by that time all the good seats in the theatre had been taken so we had to sit in the neck cramp (i.e. front) row. Never again will I see a movie on opening day.

Unless it is the sequel to this movie. Because it was So. Damn. Good.

Honestly, when I first heard about 300 and saw some screenshots, it didn’t look that impressive. It had the overdone Sin City green screen special effects look to it, and I was worried it wouldn’t look as good in color as it had in black and white. But I’d read the graphic novel, which is, of course, spectacular, so I knew the essence of the film, at the least, couldn’t go wrong; furthermore, if Frank Miller were to ever approve a film version of one of his comics, he’d have had to have been damn impressed by the proposal. With that in mind, I was able to get really excited for the movie.

But the film itself completely blew away my expectations. The special effects, the camera work, the colors -- the entire visual aspect of the movie is absolutely beautiful. The soundtrack is a wonderful blend of swelling movie epic music, softer strings, and the occasionally badass hard rock riff; this is the first time in a while that I’ve wanted to buy a movie soundtrack. But the best aspect of the film is the intensity of it, supplied in part by the amazing acting of the cast, in particular Gerald Butler, who portrays Leonidas perfectly. This is a story -- not just a story, but a visual epic -- about SPARTANS, the manliest manly men mankind has ever manned, and you can feel the raw power, the borderline insanity, the bloodlust, and the desire for honor and glory that rushes through and electrifies the veins of these warriors.

But that aspect was just as present in the graphic novel. What the movie one-ups that original material with is the gorgeous and brutal action sequences. Ripped men in dazzling red capes swinging shields, thrusting spears, and slashing swords at the best that the Persian army has to offer: oceans of footmen, hundreds of elitist demon-like soldiers, and the occasional deformed battle giant or war elephants. The overly violent action is seamless, paced fabulously, honestly beautiful, and just fucking fun to watch.

In this way does the movie most surpass the graphic novel, but otherwise it’s very true to its roots, much like Sin City was; I don’t think Miller would have had it any other way. Tonight has easily been the best theatre-going experience I’ve had in a long time, even despite the waiting for tickets and the neck cramp. I’m going to see the movie again as soon as I can and I hope anyone reading will too.