300 (2007)

300 possesses a thoroughly defined mythology through audible narration, otherworldly enemies, and the values found in our Spartan characters.

The film is not short on visual flourishes, such as when Leonidas kicks the messenger into the well, the soldiers being forced off the cliff, and the spear that makes a god-king bleed. One incredible sequence follows a tracking shot of Leonidas, savagely dispatching his enemies; it's made better by the fact that it also follows the trajectory of his spear throw and then returns to Leonidas, continuing the carnage for an absurd amount of time.

There is a highly selective use of color, with an intent to highlight the blood and Spartan cloaks. Music is used to set the mood, with electric, symphonic, choral, and percussive choices all made carefully to maximize drama.

Iconic lines throughout, such as "this is Sparta!" and "then we will fight in the shade" give the film a distinct dialogue identity. It seeks to establish itself as somewhat "era appropriate" but ultimately aims for modern accessibility.

Subtlety is not in the film's vocabulary, overstating every scene, usually to the overall benefit of the film. 300's primary limitations are packaged with its form. It doesn't have much to offer beyond intense action and high levels of testosterone. In fairness, this is something which was written directly on the tin. While the violence in this film is impressive and effective, other fundamental components of the film are less impressive.

Packed with action, hyper stylized, and boasting a compelling mythologized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, 300 will provoke strong reactions from genre fans and historical purists alike.