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Redjake · 03-19-2007, 03:11 PM

We went to see this movie on Saturday.

I have never seen a worse case of myself wanting to enjoy a movie in my entire life. This movie came so close to being one of the best movies I've ever seen, but it didn't quite do it. It's what I thought was going to happen to Sin City. But they pulled Sin City off, somehow. 300 failed.

Pros: Great cinematography, great visuals, etc. All that was great. No cheesy wirework; all of the moves and fighting looked great. The movie had a nice "polish" to it, as far as visuals go. Great acting, for the most part. The guy that played Leonydus or whatever was really awesome.

Cons: This is what ruined the movie: the viewer is led to believe that these guys are invincible, that they are trained SO damn well that they can accomplish anything, and that if you truly believe in something, you can fight against the odds and overcome them. They kill thousands of men, only 300 Spartans do. They are super buff and can slice through enemies like butter. They have battle formations and all sorts of fancy stuff. They easily slice through wave after wave after wave of enemies. Regular soldiers are cut through, harder, monkey-mask wearing soldiers are slaughtered, an 8-foot tall "boss" is killed, rhinos are killed with one spear, and thenSpoiler: someone tells Echo-Mouth Xerces that they have a hidden path or something, and they all get slaughtered? Just like that? It just came out of nowhere. That's bad continuity. It just didn't flow. It even seemed like they gave up. The movie went directly from a "you can rise against the odds if you believe in yourself" picture to a "even the glorious will eventually fall." It didn't make sense. I found myself confused.

You might say, "But Redjake, the movie is just a GUY MOVIE! It's just a violent, ACTION MOVIE! What did you expect? Shawshank Redemption?"

Yes, I did. Because the movie portrays itself as Shawshank Redemption, The Matrix, and Gladiator mixed together. It is self-aware of the fact it is supposed to be a great movie. It doesn't present itself as an action movie - it has intertwined political plots, adultery plots, a "backstabbing" side character, emotional bonds between son and father, etc. Not just action, like Commando with Arnold. It THOUGHT it was a great movie - and was presented that way - and when it didn't deliver, it left a sour taste in my movie-going mouth. Sort of like the movie tried to pull a "quick one" on me. It didn't work. Useless side plots, the movie not knowing what its trying to accomplish, awkward plot events that don't fit in, and some cheesy dialogue prevented this amazing movie from being "amazing." 2/4 stars. Nice try, but no cigar.

I'm thoroughly convinced this movie could be re-edited to perfection. Remove some side plots, dialogue, and rearrange some scenes, and this movie would be billy-badass. I'm almost thinking if Spoiler: they put the fact they all get slaughtered in the BEGINNING of the movie it would have more of an effect. Stuff like that. It needs a rework.

03-19-2007, 03:11 PM	#92 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	We went to see this movie on Saturday. I have never seen a worse case of myself wanting to enjoy a movie in my entire life. This movie came so close to being one of the best movies I've ever seen, but it didn't quite do it. It's what I thought was going to happen to Sin City. But they pulled Sin City off, somehow. 300 failed. Pros: Great cinematography, great visuals, etc. All that was great. No cheesy wirework; all of the moves and fighting looked great. The movie had a nice "polish" to it, as far as visuals go. Great acting, for the most part. The guy that played Leonydus or whatever was really awesome. Cons: This is what ruined the movie: the viewer is led to believe that these guys are invincible, that they are trained SO damn well that they can accomplish anything, and that if you truly believe in something, you can fight against the odds and overcome them. They kill thousands of men, only 300 Spartans do. They are super buff and can slice through enemies like butter. They have battle formations and all sorts of fancy stuff. They easily slice through wave after wave after wave of enemies. Regular soldiers are cut through, harder, monkey-mask wearing soldiers are slaughtered, an 8-foot tall "boss" is killed, rhinos are killed with one spear, and thenSpoiler: someone tells Echo-Mouth Xerces that they have a hidden path or something, and they all get slaughtered? Just like that? It just came out of nowhere. That's bad continuity. It just didn't flow. It even seemed like they gave up. The movie went directly from a "you can rise against the odds if you believe in yourself" picture to a "even the glorious will eventually fall." It didn't make sense. I found myself confused. You might say, "But Redjake, the movie is just a GUY MOVIE! It's just a violent, ACTION MOVIE! What did you expect? Shawshank Redemption?" Yes, I did. Because the movie portrays itself as Shawshank Redemption, The Matrix, and Gladiator mixed together. It is self-aware of the fact it is supposed to be a great movie. It doesn't present itself as an action movie - it has intertwined political plots, adultery plots, a "backstabbing" side character, emotional bonds between son and father, etc. Not just action, like Commando with Arnold. It THOUGHT it was a great movie - and was presented that way - and when it didn't deliver, it left a sour taste in my movie-going mouth. Sort of like the movie tried to pull a "quick one" on me. It didn't work. Useless side plots, the movie not knowing what its trying to accomplish, awkward plot events that don't fit in, and some cheesy dialogue prevented this amazing movie from being "amazing." 2/4 stars. Nice try, but no cigar. I'm thoroughly convinced this movie could be re-edited to perfection. Remove some side plots, dialogue, and rearrange some scenes, and this movie would be billy-badass. I'm almost thinking if Spoiler: they put the fact they all get slaughtered in the BEGINNING of the movie it would have more of an effect. Stuff like that. It needs a rework. __________________ Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.