300 -- Zach Snyder, dir

©2007
studio: Warner Home Video
production company: Warner Bros. Pictures, Hollywood Gang Productions, Atmosphere Entertainment MM, Legendary Pictures, Virtual Studios
dir: Zach Snyder
cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Vincent Regan, Michael Fassbender, Tom Wisdom, Andrew Pleavin, Andrew Tiernan, Rodrigo Santoro, Giovani Cimmino
screenplay: Zach Snyder & Kurt Johnstad and Michael B. Gordon, from a graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley

King Leonidas and a force of 300 men fight the Persians at Thermopylae in 480 B.C.

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I didn't know what to expect when I rented this movie, other than it was probably full of action and violence (a good guess). What I didn't expect was the beautiful visual appeal to this film.

The setting/background set such an incredible mood for this film that I enjoyed watching it simply for the aesthetic experience. I often feel this way about a Ridley Scott film (ie: Legend is stunning to look at, but the acting and script suck)

The plot is paper thin, despite the attempt to add a little romance/drama back at the court.

The use of Matrix-like slow motion and angle-changing video is effective though I worry that too many films will start doing this and the affect will wear off.

I may watch this again just to take in the full experience.