This is a grotesque film. In itself that does not make it a bad film. After all Sin City was an incredible cinematic experience, if not a pleasurable one. 300 however is not worthy to be compared with its predecessor.
The battle scenes are laughable: had the Spartans fought like that they’d be a funny footnote on the arse of Athenian history. It was more like Fight Club than the product of a noble warrior nation and Itchy and Scratchy have demonstrated a greater sense of honour than shown here.
300 has been described as an ode to violence, fine, but it is also an ode to eugenics. Our good guys are the product of ruthless eugenics, violently disposing of anyone weak. In contrast the bad guys (the Persians and Oracles) are described as inbreeds and shown as deformed monsters. Any disability or deformity is linked with perversion, cruelty and sub-human behaviour. Particularly disgusting is the Persian harem, which in contrast to the physically perfect and strong minded Spartan women is filled with fawning and disabled whores.
The Persians are unrecognisable as any nation described in human history and in many respects are more like some cruel alien race. Can we be surprised that the descendents of the Persian Empire are a little peeved at the depiction of their ancestors? On another racist note the decision to change many of the Persians to sub-Saharan Africans whilst the Spartans become northern Europeans was as distasteful as it is unnecessary.
To be fair the visuals and very skilful use of voice-over create a wonderful aura of a grand and epic story. But when the actual plot and implications of the film unfold no amount of slow motion dripping blood can hide its puerile and fascist substance.
The battle scenes are laughable: had the Spartans fought like that they’d be a funny footnote on the arse of Athenian history. It was more like Fight Club than the product of a noble warrior nation and Itchy and Scratchy have demonstrated a greater sense of honour than shown here.
300 has been described as an ode to violence, fine, but it is also an ode to eugenics. Our good guys are the product of ruthless eugenics, violently disposing of anyone weak. In contrast the bad guys (the Persians and Oracles) are described as inbreeds and shown as deformed monsters. Any disability or deformity is linked with perversion, cruelty and sub-human behaviour. Particularly disgusting is the Persian harem, which in contrast to the physically perfect and strong minded Spartan women is filled with fawning and disabled whores.
The Persians are unrecognisable as any nation described in human history and in many respects are more like some cruel alien race. Can we be surprised that the descendents of the Persian Empire are a little peeved at the depiction of their ancestors? On another racist note the decision to change many of the Persians to sub-Saharan Africans whilst the Spartans become northern Europeans was as distasteful as it is unnecessary.
To be fair the visuals and very skilful use of voice-over create a wonderful aura of a grand and epic story. But when the actual plot and implications of the film unfold no amount of slow motion dripping blood can hide its puerile and fascist substance.