"300": Critics Hate It, America Loves It
Posted on 03/28/2007 7:55:02 AM PDT by SmithL
When it comes to the offerings of Hollywood, rarely does a film resonate strongly with both mainstream America and the largely liberal world of film critics. For the two seem to inhabit different universes, particularly when it comes to depictions of patriotism, war, religion and the age-old struggle between good and evil.
When bad reviews and huge box office numbers coincide, the gulf between critics and audiences is laid bare. Such was the case with "The Passion of the Christ" and "National Treasure," both of which Americans flocked to see even as critics shook their heads in disbelief.
The unprecedented success of the recent film "300" is further evidence of this pattern. While critics have largely panned "300," Americans clearly haven't been listening. The film's opening weekend brought in $70 million, with all 57 of its early IMAX midnight showings selling out, making it the highest-grossing March opening ever and third-highest opening for an R-rated feature. And its box office numbers have remained high ever since.
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (of "Sin City" fame) and directed by Zack Snyder, "300" is a fictional recounting of the famous Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. The battle pitted King Leonidas and his bodyguard of 300 Spartans -- aided by the Thespians -- against the vast army of the Persian King Xerxes. Seeking to block the Persian army at a narrow mountain pass until Sparta and the rest of Greece could amass the will and forces to fight, the greatly outnumbered Spartan warriors used their superior fighting skills, bravery and determination to hold the "Hot Gates" to the last man. It was the Spartan sacrifice at Thermopylae...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"300": Critics Hate It, America Loves It
The main reason Liberals loathe "300" so much is that the film glorifies the notion of defending yourself & nation and does not advocate raising everybody's taxes in 480 B.C. for HillaryCare.
I hope it is better than Sin City. Man, I had to watch that movie in 15 minute increments.
'Passion of the Christ' got its share of good reviews.
"the age-old struggle between good and evil"
I would love to know which is which in this movie.
Good article!
I think the sad part is the departure from history. Within it's context it was enjoyable, but a missed opportunity to make a better film.
Good article. I wonder if Cinnamon Stillwell is related to General Stillwell?
I saw this with my 14 year-old boys last nite on an IMAX screen. We absolutely loved it. It was a film of selfless honor and duty, that free men choosing to die can overcome evil. But the best part was when one of my boys said, "Wow Dad, I bet the liberals don't like it." It came with no prompting from dear ol' Dad.
Thanks to the freepers who have weighed in on this movie. I'm off to see it tomorrow night!!
A well written piece. BTW, along similar veins:
http://www.ejectejecteject.com/archives/000017.html
3 weeks in the theatres, over a 160 million grossed to date. Maybe liberal critics loathe it, but movie goers of all stripes seem to be taking to it quite nicely.
The only place I have yet found reference to liberals loathing this movie is on this very site. I've googled way more reviews for this movie than I normally would, and have yet to find one that suggests that it is love fest for conservatives, and that liberals hate it.
Maybe you could point me to the review you read from which you derived your opinion that liberals loathe this movie?
Honestly, all this calling Spartans good and free men is too much for me. You guys are pulling my leg, right?
Sparta had two kings.
Sparta had an unelected, oligarchical council of elders from aristocratic families.
The 5 ephors of Sparta were the closest they came to democracy.
The size of the citizenship that could vote was extremely small and limited to those passing agoge. The agoge was not cheap or easy and the voting citizenship was effectively reduced to mere hundreds around 1 BC/AD.
They kept a class of people who were essentially slaves called Helots.
Sparta went on to conqure and rule all of Greece for a short time. They were hardly defending themselves on the principle that empire-building was wrong.
Etc., etc. This Spartans as the good and noble free people is fun for pretend movies but it is not the real world.
He retired in the Bay area (at/near the Presidio, as I recall). The same thing occurred to me.
Colonel, USAFR
www.rottentomatoes.com
Makes sense that someone named Cinnamon Stillwell would be a descendant of General Joe "Vinegar" Stillwell.
The film is an adaptation of a graphic novel which itself takes grand liberties.
"300" has never, as part of its promotion, claimed "Based on a true story" or "Based on actual events". This ain't the History Channel.
Geez, lighten up, already. It's just a movie.
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