If anyone knows Zack Snyder, by now you may have realized two things about him:
1. He sucks at plot
2. He's fantastic with creating a comic-like imagery on camera.
He has the ability to really direct movies and action scenes in a way that looks like it came straight out of a comic book. High contrast images along with quick movement linking slow-motion frames. Some people complain about the slow motion disrupting the action. I think it's just the opposite - the slow motion frames are the ones to pay attention to; they are straight out of an illustration. The movement and action in between are just to link to the next panel of the comic in this movie.
So, that's basically what 300 is. It's an action film. With style. It's got minimal plot, and basically everything is an excuse for Manly Men to do Manly Things. It is absolutely style over substance, but that's pretty much the point of this film. The good guys are so manly they have their exposed abs instead of armour. The villains are ugly mutated freaks, or faceless mooks.
Don't look for anything remotely related to the real-life event it's based on. It tries to have a message, but again, looking into the real-life history of Sparta completely undermines that message. Don't think about it too hard. In fact, don't think at all, just watch.
150% style, -50% substance.
If anyone knows Zack Snyder, by now you may have realized two things about him:
1. He sucks at plot
2. He's fantastic with creating a comic-like imagery on camera.
He has the ability to really direct movies and action scenes in a way that looks like it came straight out of a comic book. High contrast images along with quick movement linking slow-motion frames. Some people complain about the slow motion disrupting the action. I think it's just the opposite - the slow motion frames are the ones to pay attention to; they are straight out of an illustration. The movement and action in between are just to link to the next panel of the comic in this movie.
So, that's basically what 300 is. It's an action film. With style. It's got minimal plot, and basically everything is an excuse for Manly Men to do Manly Things. It is absolutely style over substance, but that's pretty much the point of this film. The good guys are so manly they have their exposed abs instead of armour. The villains are ugly mutated freaks, or faceless mooks.
Don't look for anything remotely related to the real-life event it's based on. It tries to have a message, but again, looking into the real-life history of Sparta completely undermines that message. Don't think about it too hard. In fact, don't think at all, just watch.