300

[momaw]

I just got back from seeing 300 and I gotta say, this movie is now number one on my most wanted HD list, and by number 1 I mean ahead of the likes of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones.

This was the the best two hours I have spent watching something in I don't know how long. Solid story (simple but effective), amazing effects (if you can call them that these days) and awesome sound design.

This movie will be *the* demo movie period.

[Ace_Beef]

I just got back from seeing 300 and I gotta say, this movie is now number one on my most wanted HD list, and by number 1 I mean ahead of the likes of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones.

This was the the best two hours I have spent watching something in I don't know how long. Solid story (simple but effective), amazing effects (if you can call them that these days) and awesome sound design.

This movie will be *the* demo movie period.

I too managed to see this tonight (3 sold out sessions in a row) on a 25m Imax screen so that was awesome. I was just wondering is this going to be a HD DVD or BD release??

[momaw]

I just got back from seeing 300 and I gotta say, this movie is now number one on my most wanted HD list, and by number 1 I mean ahead of the likes of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones.

This was the the best two hours I have spent watching something in I don't know how long. Solid story (simple but effective), amazing effects (if you can call them that these days) and awesome sound design.

This movie will be *the* demo movie period.

I too managed to see this tonight (3 sold out sessions in a row) on a 25m Imax screen so that was awesome. I was just wondering is this going to be a HD DVD or BD release??

Warner Bros baby so everyone will get this! I might have to buy one of each but by then we will probably be subjected to THD

[djOS]

Fark Moi, I watched this movie tonight (I got hold of a DVD Screener - not a shaky cam job and about 3/4's normal DVD PQ with AC3-2.0 ch sound) and it was bl00dy awesome! I'll be buying it on whatever HD format it shows up on for sure!

[Gino]

I thought they were saying it wasn't technically a DVDScr? In any case, saving my experience for IMAX.

I hear surround sound will be awesome with this movie... but what of reports of grain?? Was this an issue when watching at the cinemas?

[djOS]

I thought they were saying it wasn't technically a DVDScr? In any case, saving my experience for IMAX.

I hear surround sound will be awesome with this movie... but what of reports of grain?? Was this an issue when watching at the cinemas?

Im going to go see this one at the movies, t'was brilliant!

[momaw]

I thought they were saying it wasn't technically a DVDScr? In any case, saving my experience for IMAX.

I hear surround sound will be awesome with this movie... but what of reports of grain?? Was this an issue when watching at the cinemas?

not at all. there was a small amount of intentional grain, but I found the picture to be very smooth. I had the grain issue firmly in mind while watching it. Any grain there was was purely in keeping with the tone of the scene.

And the sound......wow

[Scalpel]

I too managed to see this tonight (3 sold out sessions in a row) on a 25m Imax screen so that was awesome. I was just wondering is this going to be a HD DVD or BD release??

Having just driven with several friends into the city (Sydney) only to find all the IMAX sessions of 300 sold out, then driven back to watch it in a suburban cinema - I have a question.

How did they display the widescreen format on the IMAX (which I believe is 22:16m) - were there giant bars on the top/bottom, or did they display it in some other format.

Great, no actually ... magnificent film BTW. Very simple storyline (makes Gladiator look like War & Peace), but stunning cinematography (this is obviously taking into account that it was based on a comic book story, so has a very unusual 'larger than life' feel to the movie).

J.

Interesting the comments about grain - a lot of the scenes were deliberately grainy. I was thinking whilst watching it about whether it would be a good HD demo, and decided that the grain and cartoon like hazed backdrops would not be something that would showcase a HD setup. Each to their own view I guess.

(did I say great film?)

[franin]

Wow it's about time we get a good film.Hasn't been much lateley.Starwars I can see getting topped,Indiana jones the same but Lord Of The Rings it must be good.

[Julian L]

I thought the film was "Showgirls" stupid, but it's certainly eye candy for those who like this sort of thing. I found the almost monochrome look of the film a trial after a while, though. There's certainly enough screaming and yelping to work out anyone's HT system, though.

[Greebs]

I thought the film was "Showgirls" stupid, but it's certainly eye candy for those who like this sort of thing. I found the almost monochrome look of the film a trial after a while, though. There's certainly enough screaming and yelping to work out anyone's HT system, though.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought to be honest. Effects were good, but the movie itself, well, it was watchable, but nothing to rave about.

[momaw]

It was a simple story told to glorious effect. It wasn't an epic, it wasn't a psychological thriller, it wasn't a "twist" film. It was simple, well crafted and well told. Given the quality coming out of hollywood, they should look at this back to basics story and go forward from there. Of course they could continue to put out crap with the few good releases being remakes of asian films

[RodN]

Scalpel I'll check it out for you tonight I have tickets to Melbourne IMAX. Very excited!

But guessing ahead IMAX flicks are shot on IMAX cameras (from memory) so it's more likely they either have discrete versions or the imax version was modified for the (other) big screen.

Having just driven with several friends into the city (Sydney) only to find all the IMAX sessions of 300 sold out, then driven back to watch it in a suburban cinema - I have a question.

How did they display the widescreen format on the IMAX (which I believe is 22:16m) - were there giant bars on the top/bottom, or did they display it in some other format.

Great, no actually ... magnificent film BTW. Very simple storyline (makes Gladiator look like War & Peace), but stunning cinematography (this is obviously taking into account that it was based on a comic book story, so has a very unusual 'larger than life' feel to the movie).

J.

Interesting the comments about grain - a lot of the scenes were deliberately grainy. I was thinking whilst watching it about whether it would be a good HD demo, and decided that the grain and cartoon like hazed backdrops would not be something that would showcase a HD setup. Each to their own view I guess.

(did I say great film?)

[AndrewW]

It was a simple story told to glorious effect. It wasn't an epic, it wasn't a psychological thriller, it wasn't a "twist" film. It was simple, well crafted and well told. Given the quality coming out of hollywood, they should look at this back to basics story and go forward from there. Of course they could continue to put out crap with the few good releases being remakes of asian films

My thoughts exactly.

The story had a beginning, middle and end.

It didn't try and confuse the audience. It didn't try for a 'twist'.

It just gave us some believable characters, gave us time to build empathy with them

and then killed them all

Seriously considering going to the theater to see this again, and I didn't even do that with Casino Royale :0

Andrew.

[momaw]

My thoughts exactly.

The story had a beginning, middle and end.

It didn't try and confuse the audience. It didn't try for a 'twist'.

It just gave us some believable characters, gave us time to build empathy with them

and then killed them all

Seriously considering going to the theater to see this again, and I didn't even do that with Casino Royale :0

Andrew.

That's it entirely Andrew. Despite being muscle bound "air heads", I actually felt something for the characters.

And I want to see it again too. Am even considering a drive up to Sydney to catch it on an IMAX screen

Congrats on the first use of the spoiler option (as far as I am aware). Haven't reason to try it til now.

PS: can we sticky this post so everyone can see it and know to get it on High Def :P

[Maverick]

I gather this movie is supposed to be about the Battle of Thermopylae? If so I will definitely look forward to seeing it, I remember studying all the ancient battles when I was in school. Do they still teach ancient history in schools today?

[momaw]

I gather this movie is supposed to be about the Battle of Thermopylae? If so I will definitely look forward to seeing it, I remember studying all the ancient battles when I was in school. Do they still teach ancient history in schools today?

It is. I am not sure if many actually realise it is based on an actual historical event.

[Julian L]

It is. I am not sure if many actually realise it is based on an actual historical event.

Given Xerxes is played by an 8 foot drag queen, I'm sure they could be excused for thinking that this is entirely a work of fantasy. Which, of course, it is.

[momaw]

Given Xerxes is played by an 8 foot drag queen, I'm sure they could be excused for thinking that this is entirely a work of fantasy. Which, of course, it is.

never-the-less, it is based upon the actual real event where 300 Spartans stood up to the entire Persian army

and fought to the last man

inflicting massive casualties and holding the invaders completely at bay. Your dislike for the film does not change the "facts".

[Trigg]

never-the-less, it is based upon the actual real event where 300 Spartans stood up to the entire Persian army

and fought to the last man

inflicting massive casualties and holding the invaders completely at bay. Your dislike for the film does not change the "facts".

Well this write up certainly doesn't believe the battle as being factual and in fact states that there was never a place called Sparta

Taken from http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21...5005387,00.html

THE story is as light as the graphic novel (ie adult comic) it's based on, but damn it if 300 isn't one of the most visually stunning movies I have ever seen.

More than a mere feast for the eyes, it’s an ocular overdose in which every digitally enhanced frame could be a Roman fresco.

In fact, after taking pages of notes during this highly stylised retelling of the 480BC Battle of Thermopylae, I left the cinema summing it up with this indelicate scribble: “A two-hour orgy for your eyeballs.â€

Director Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead) and original author Frank Miller both admit they fudge historical facts so every scene will “look coolâ€. Think Gladiator or Ben Hur with a comic book makeover, and you’ll be close to 300’s original, almost mythical style.

A history lesson it ain’t. It’s a full-on battle film, with only flashes of the implications of King Leonidas’s (Gerard Butler) decision to lead his 300 Spartan soldiers against the god-king Xerxes and his million-man Persian army.

Xerxes was sweeping through the Middle East on his way to Europe, and it was Leonidas who stood in his way, saying Greeks would rather die than become slaves, or worse.

So we have the fabled city of Sparta, where boys train as soldiers and go through violent initiations, learning that to die in defence of Greece is an honour.

And Leonidas’s 300 elite warriors are an impressive lot – tall, dark, muscle-bound brutes who were the superheroes of their day. Sure, the actors’ already buff bodies have been beefed up with the airbrush, but you won’t be able to take your eyes off them.

They march into battle and we watch in awe as they lunge, thrust, cut, block, slash and spear their way through the seemingly insurmountable army. Limbs are lopped and heads are severed, and never has such carnage looked so good – all to a heavy-metal soundtrack.

And yet, thanks to post-production, the carnage is not as gory as it sounds, because 300 is mostly a muddy brown colour, with only the blood red of the soldiers’ cloaks and codpieces matching the slo-mo sprays of blood across the screen.

I would have liked a little more on the background of Sparta, about the breeding of an elite fighting force and about Leonidas’s wife (Lena Headey, the only woman in the film) fighting off an uprising of her own. And a bit more about the aftermath of the battle – how it helped to inspire greater Greece to unite against tyranny and led to the birth of Western democracy.

You’ll walk out exhausted and needing to check your eyes into rehab. And that’s OK, because 300 is a sword-and-sandals fantasy-spectacular like you’ve never seen before.

[momaw]

Well this write up certainly doesn't believe the battle as being factual and in fact states thatt there was never a place called Spata

Taken from http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21...5005387,00.html

SPOILER WARNING

Battle of Thermopylae

In the Battle of Thermopylae of 480 BC, an alliance of Greek city-states fought the invading Persian Empire at the pass of Thermopylae in central Greece. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks held back the Persians for three days in one of history's most famous last stands. A small force led by King Leonidas of Sparta blocked the only road through which the massive army of Xerxes I could pass. After three days of battle, a local resident named Ephialtes betrayed the Greeks by revealing a mountain path that led behind the Greek lines. Dismissing the rest of the army, King Leonidas stayed behind with 300 Spartans and 700 Thespian volunteers. The Persians succeeded in taking the pass but sustained heavy losses, extremely disproportionate to those of the Greeks. The fierce resistance of the Spartan-led army offered Athens the invaluable time to prepare for a decisive naval battle that would come to determine the outcome of the war.[3] The subsequent Greek victory at the Battle of Salamis left much of the Persian Empire's navy destroyed and Xerxes I was forced to retreat back to Asia, leaving his army in Greece under Mardonius, who was to meet the Greeks in battle one last time. The Spartans assembled at full strength and led a pan-Greek army that defeated the Persians decisively at the Battle of Plataea, ending the Greco-Persian War and with it the expansion of the Persian Empire into Europe.[4]

The performance of the defenders at the battle of Thermopylae is often used as an example of the advantages of training, equipment, and good use of terrain to maximize an army's potential,[5] and has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds.[5] The sacrifice of the Spartans and the Thespians has captured the minds of many throughout the ages and has given birth to many cultural references as a result.[6]

more

[AndrewW]

I would have liked a little more on the background of Sparta, about the breeding of an elite fighting force and about Leonidas’s wife (Lena Headey, the only woman in the film) fighting off an uprising of her own. And a bit more about the aftermath of the battle – how it helped to inspire greater Greece to unite against tyranny and led to the birth of Western democracy.

Did this idiot even watch the movie ?

The first 20 minutes was devoted entirely to explaining why Sparta was an "elite fighting force" and how the kids were taught to fight from the day they could walk.

I love the way people bag the movie for not being historically accurate, and then compare it to gladiator (pfff, yeah because a roman emperor entered the arena to fight a slave ...)

Andrew.

* btw, I love Gladiator, but I see it for what it is. A very entertaining movie based very loosely on history.

[AndrewW]

Congrats on the first use of the spoiler option (as far as I am aware). Haven't reason to try it til now.

Thanks mo, been waiting for the opportunity to arise

Andrew.

[momaw]

Did this idiot even watch the movie ?

The first 20 minutes was devoted entirely to explaining why Sparta was an "elite fighting force" and how the kids were taught to fight from the day they could walk.

I love the way people bag the movie for not being historically accurate, and then compare it to gladiator (pfff, yeah because a roman emperor entered the arena to fight a slave ...)

Andrew.

* btw, I love Gladiator, but I see it for what it is. A very entertaining movie based very loosely on history.

Yes Andrew, I agree that all those issues were in fact dealt with in the film. First he says it is not based on a historical event, that it was completely made up, and then laments that the issues he wanted to see from history portrayed are missing when in fact they were there!?!

Oh and the earlier poster comparing it to showgirls..........BAH! That didn't even have eye candy.

[AndrewW]

Yes Andrew, I agree that all those issues were in fact dealt with in the film. First he says it is not based on a historical event, that it was completely made up, and then laments the issues he wanted to see from history portrayed to be missing when in fact they were there!?!

Some people just like to complain

He was probably upset that it didn't follow the standard hollywood formula, and couldn't work out why

there wasn't a magical happy ending

Andrew.