Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44042 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-07-31
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Format: NTSC
• Original language: English, Spanish
• Subtitled in: English, French, Spanish
• Dubbed in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 116 minutes

Synopsis
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, 300 takes over the screen like an invading horde. With all the gushing blood of a horror movie and the scope of a classic epic, the second film from Zack Snyder (who helmed the 2004 remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD) is an impressive visual spectacle. Gerard Butler (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA) plays Leonidas, the king of ancient Sparta. The city is famous for its warrior philosophy, and Leonidas won't kneel to the demands of Persia's King Xerxes (LOST's Rodrigo Santoro). Instead, Leonidas leads his 300-strong army against Xerxes's army of millions. Meanwhile, his wife (Lena Headley, THE BROTHERS GRIMM) campaigns in Sparta for the city to send reinforcements as she butts heads with the treacherous Theron (Dominic West, THE WIRE). With its gore and scale, 300 marks director Snyder as a possible successor to Peter Jackson's throne. Jackson also got his start in horror with BAD TASTE and DEAD ALIVE, and the two men share a penchant for ambitious battle scenes. The huge fights in 300 rival Jackson's efforts in the LORD OF THE RINGS films. David Wenham, who starred in two of the Tolkien-based films, plays Dilios, one of the Spartan soldiers. Though the cast doesn't boast any A-list stars, the actors ably fill their larger-than-life roles. In a film filled with men, Headley stands out as Queen Gorgo. She matches her warrior husband in strength, while showing love toward Leonidas and their son. Though there are scenes that demonstrate the humanity of the characters, 300 is undeniably about bravery and blood, and it succeeds because of the stylish depictions of both.

Customer Reviews

Movie: 3.5/5 Picture Quality: 4.5/5 Sound Quality: 4.5/5 Extras: 3.5/5
Version: U.S.A / Region Free
VC-1 BD-50
Running time: 1:56:32
Movie size: 24,961,910,784 bytes
Disc size: 34,803,466,472 byytes
Average video bit rate: 16.80 Mbps
LPCM 5.1 4608Kbps 16-bit
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 16-bit
DD AC3 5.1 640Kbps

Mindless stuff but a bench for Blu-Ray production quality
Essentially the director of this film saw the battles from Lord Of The Rings and simply decided to make a 2 hr extended version. Very little plot, character building or decent acting but action and violence ad nauseum. Blu-Ray picture is superb and hi-def sound is stunning however. Worth a watch if you're an action-genre junkie just don't expect an engrossing storyline.

300
When I first left the cinema after seeing this with my mates, I remember feeling the same way as when I left the cinema from seeing Gladiator in 2000. Not because this film is as well-made as Gladiator, but because it has that same epic feel.

First of all, it's obviously ridiculous. It's not meant to be an accurate re-telling of the battle of Thermopylae, but a stylised one based on the images of Frank Miller. It works in that it looks fantastic, in a mythical way, as though this wasn't a real event but something out of one of the many fantasy films we see these days, albeit a lot more bloody.

Gerard Butler is clearly the star here, and his performance is a fantastic one. Not oscar-worthy, but he completely throws himself into the part and I for one would love to see him in more commanding, action-oriented roles as he's certainly got the presence and the build for it.

He's ably supported by Lena Headey, who's probably one of the stronger female characters in this kind of film. Their relationship is beautifully done, and for me the moment that elevates the film above a mindless but entertaining action blockbuster are the moments where the King bids farewell to his Queen. Very well done by the actors indeed.

Whether you like this film or not will depend upon what you want from the film: a historical education or pure entertainment on a number of levels. Treat it as 90% entertainment that happens to have 10% history and you'll have a great time.

On Blu-ray, it looks and sounds great. Not the best hi-def transfer out there, but it's definitely the best way to see this film. The extras are worth checking out, particularly for the cast interviews and the training sessions to show how those guys got in such great shape.

All in all, a solid film on a solid disc. You can't go too far wrong with this one for a good night in.