What Do The Critics Say?

"Whatever your reason for going into 300, I can't imagine leaving it very excited by what you get. I can imagine being excited by the prospect of leaving, for me, the end credits of 300 rolled up on the screen with the comforting shock of a parole notice." James Rocchi CINEMATICAL "A blustery, bombastic, visually arresting account of the Battle of Thermopylae as channeled through the rabid imagination of graphic novelist Frank Miller." Todd McCarthy VARIETY "A film that's full of violence and testosterone and fills in the story holes with gorgeous slaughter. But isn't that what the trailers promised?" Widgett Walls NEEDCOFFEE "300 is about as violent as Apocalypto and twice as stupid." A.O. Scott NEW YORK TIMES "This is dazzle for the head, not the heart." Lisa Schwarzbaum ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "300 is an erotic spectacle for men (straight and gay apparently) and this demographic should bask in the bombastic grandeur of discourse, domination and decapitations." Mike Sage PETERBOROUGH THIS WEEK

"This is a gorgeously designed, impressively directed and action-packed swords-and-sandals flick, even if the fascist overtones and the shouting gets a bit much after a while." Matthew Turner VIEWLONDON "300 was as pathetically puerile as I had expected." Andrew Sarris NEW YORK OBSERVER "Filled from first frame to last with images that are meant to burn themselves into your memory and force you to tell your friends about what you just saw." Brian Tallerico UNDERGROUND ONLINE "The battle sequences are filled with grotesque spectacle: They start off entertainingly ferocious, then grow numbing with stylized spraying blood and severed heads." Claudia Puig USA TODAY "300 is one breathtaking digi-tableau after another. But the dialogue is a joke, the performances have more to do with bodybuilding than character, and the lesson that the film imparts isn't anything to do with courage and military skill." Steven Rea PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER "Fanboys may embrace its wanton carnage, he-man heroics and bombastic dialogue, but 300 really belongs on a PlayStation rather than in a theatre." Frank Swietek ONE GUY'S OPINION

A Spartan Night Out! After weeks of endless phone calls, crying fits and threats to kill himself, I finally gave in to young Freddies pleadings and agreed to take him to see what is touted as being the first big blockbuster of the year, "300". Thankful that I'd finally gotten him off my back, Freddie started pushing his luck. "Please, please, please," he begged, "I can't wait another minute. Be a sweetie and ask those gorgeous people at the Megaplex Marion if we can go to their special midnight screening." What! At a minute past midnight? That's precisely what he meant. "But Freddie, I have a film to do at 6:30pm," I explained. "it's alright for you being a creature of the night, but I'm not a young buck anymore, incase you haven't noticed." It was a waste of time even trying to otherwise persuade him. Once Freddie has his mind made up there's no turning back. Reluctantly I agreed to go, but only on the condition that management came up with the tickets. Anything to shut him up. For once I thought I'd outsmarted the persistent little bugga. I had an out. Everyone knows that these one-off one minute after midnight screenings are always jammed packed with enthusiastic cinemagoers who wish to be able to say they were the first to see a film. Wrong! Management, in their infinite wisdom decided, even at great expense they wanted me there. "Why me?," I asked myself. "What have I done to deserve this?" Heaven only knows. But I did owe Freddie something and even though he's a screaming bloody queen and I'm just a straight laced 'hetro' as he calls me, he has shown me some kidnesses over the time we have been friends. It's very hard to forget the little but important things he's done for me. Who was there for me after I had my hip replaced, when the anaesthetic wore off and I awoke disorientated? Young Freddie, that's who. I can still remember the tears streaming down his face, one false eyelash half hanging off his right eye, his mascara running and that tight fitting evening dress he was wearing. Who else but Freddie would cancel opening night of his 2006 cabaret season, "Boys Will Be Girls", rush to the hospital and stage a beside vigil. Only Freddie. That's who! And when I arrived home, who was it who met me at the door, looking and dressed like a young Judy Garland in the "Wizard Of Oz"? Freddie. That's who! It didn't matter to Freddie that we came from different sides of the track, he was a true friend, and I might add, an exceptionally good housekeeper. I owed him so much, the least I could do was take him to "300". But even I wasn't prepared for what would eventuate. It all started when gay 'artiste' Freddie (birth name Frederick Olivier Archibald Munchemhoff) arrived at the Megaplex. He was instantly the centre of eveyones attention, including security and two burly young Police Officers. There was Freddie, all six foot two inches of him, stepping off the escalators resplendently dressed as a bloody Spartan, complete with: shield, sword, spear, boots, helmet and one of those little skirts Spartan's were famous for, long before miniskirts became the rage. All hell broke loose as security and two burly police officers, one of whom Freddie later said was adorable, tried to disarm him. What a scene it created when a young man with a peculiar lisp recognised Freddie and with young Spartan fans (of both sexes) in tow, rushed to his aid. I'd expected that a very indignant Freddie would have put up a fight, but obviously not when he's being manhandled so expertly. In the mayhem that followed, one of the P.C's broke the tip off Freddies spear and found to his surprise it was made of foam. The mood instantly changed. He wasn't armed and dangerous, nor did he pose any real threat. When Freddie advised the attending P.C's the costume he was wearing with pride came from his critically acclaimed 2007 Fringe Festival all male production of "Greeks: Give Till It Hurts" (in which Freddie played King Lixenassis who led 300 Spartans into battle against the scourge of Persia, Herpexese, and in which a future star David Weinarh debuted playing his right hand man, Dildios), everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Security were quick to apologize, the crowd cheered and Freddie got the number of that adorable young Police Officer who it seems "has such lovely warm hands." Megaplex management found a tube of Super Glue, they stuck Freddies spear back together and then gave him popcorn, a frozen coke and a choctop icecream as compensation for what was after all, clearly a terrible misunderstanding. But the highlight of the night was when Freddie entered Cinema 30. You would have thought from the cheering and applause that he was indeed the much adored Spartan leader, King Leonidas. I for one thought everything was going well until two enthusiastic young men decided, as a mark of respect, to lift Freddie the Spartan high on to their shoulders for all to see. What they didn't realize (and to our surprise neither did the audience or myself), was that Spartans didn't wear underpants! Who said he wasn't armed and dangerous. Once again all hell broke loose. Many in the audience (of both sexes) pressed forward, attempting to 'lay hands' on him (something I promised myself I'd do later). Freddie disappeared under a writhing groping mass. The moment was saved when security managed to extricate Freddie from his hysterical fans. Finally, after management pleaded for calm and a generous young lady in the audience donated her underpants to a good cause, the "300" started. No, not at one minute past midnight but twenty one minutes past the hour. As for me, well, I should have been angry but how could I be. You see it turned out I was nearly as popular as young Freddie. Why? Because everyone thought I was Freddie's Dad! Gee, how could I be so lucky? What They Had To Say!

"It was disgusting. What sort of a pervert turns up dressed like that when impressionable teenagers are in the audience. Next we'll have those right wing do-gooders trying to tell us it's normal to be gay. No wonder todays kids are preoccupied with nothing but sex, sex, sex. When our son comes home from ballet classes he's too tired to get into trouble. He's so dedicated. Our boy even makes his own costumes and for our 20th wedding anniversay he made his mother new curtains for the whole house." Name withheld by request. "Well! I certainly didn't come to the cinema to see such lewd displays as I did prior to "300". I mean, the way those young people were pawing that poor young mans body was outrageous. That's the trouble with kids today. No respect!" Name withheld by request. "Awesomely wicked dude. My friends were packin' death because we're all underage and though they might spring us for having false student I.D Cards. When the scuffle started in the foyer they just gave us our tickets and we went straight in." Name withheld by request. "We'd love to meet Freddie. I wrote our mobile number on my underpants. I was the one who gave them to him in the cinema. I hope he notices because my boyfriend and I would like to see more of Freddie. We're both into dressing up, but only at home. You know what I mean. Did I mention my boyfriend loves anything Greek?" Name withheld by request. "Haven't our Police got more important problems to tackle rather than wasting their time on such trivial matters. No wonder you can never find a coppa when you need one. It's about time they got back to real policing. I agree they were a little hardon the lad." Name withheld by request. "Isn't he gorgeous? I saw him at the Fringe Festival this year in "Greeks: Give Till It Hurts". I thought he was sensational darhling as that King whats his name. He handled himself so well. I can't wait to see him perform his new one-man comedy show, "Stop it or I'll Go Blind". They say he does the whole show naked. Sounds delicious. Name withheld by request. "Yes, things got a bit ugly but we managed to sort the situation out. Look, on this occassion we were lucky. It wasn't a suicide bomber, but the were signs there. There were tell-tale signs that he was packing something big under that Spartan skirt. I admit both officers may have gone in a little hard but what do the public want? Many of them think we've gone soft." Official police spokesperson during television interview. Name withheld by request. "When will people wake up and realize that gay people are just like everyone else. Someone could have been really hurt tonight. I hope the young man's reputation hasn't been damaged. He's such a talent you know. And so forgiving. Why he even gave one of those young Police Officers a personal guarantee of front row opening night seats to his new one-man comedy show, "Stop it or I'll Go Blind". They say he does the whole show naked. And he's such a role model for the young boys of today. If only some of the big name Hollywood actors would take a leaf out of his book. Frederick makes one proud to be gay and an Australian." Official spokesman for the National Council Of Performimg Gay Artists Union. Name withheld by request.

Synopsis

Leonidas, the King of ancient Sparta, a city famous for its warrior philosophy has refused to concede to the demands of Persia's King Xerxes. In an act of defiance he despatches the Kings emissary and those who have accompanied him to Sparta. Instead, Leonidas leads his 300 strong army against Xerxes's army of millions. Hopelessly outnumbered, King Xerxes expects an easy victory, after all, there are only 300 Spartans against the might of his massive army. But Xerxes soon finds out that the Spartans, as small a force as they are, will not yield. United in one cause, they will fight to the death. Meanwhile, Leonidas's wife Queen Gorgo is campaigning in Sparta for the city to send reinforcements. But there is a thorn in her side, the treacherous Theron who has sold out to Xerxes. Can Queen Gorgo convince the Council to send reinforcements before it is too late for both the "300" and Sparta?

The Verdict "For many cinemagoers, great expectation will turned to disappointment after seeing "300". While there was much to say for the quality, depth and heart of the previous production of Miller's "Sin City", the fact is "300" plays like a bigscreen video game. The CGI and endless build up of bodies slowly wears one down. It quickly becomes a little childish and mindnumbing. The biggest plus for "300" is the performances of Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo, Rodrigo Santoro as King Xerxes and Dominic West as the treacherous Theron. As for David Wenham, he seems totally out of place and his rallying speech during the closing scenes only adds to the film woes. If you're into video gaming and a male under twenty you'll get your moneys worth. 2 1/2 STARS." Cast & Crew Bytes "300" stars .......
Gerard Butler ["Her Majesty, Mrs Brown", "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life", "Dear Frankie" and "Phantom Of The Opera"]; Lena Headey ["The Jungle Book", "The Brothers Grimm", "The Actors" and "The Cave"]; AFI, FCCA and Australian Comedy Awards winner David Wenham ["Cosi", "The Lord of the Rings I, II & III", "Russian Doll" and "Gettin' Square"]; Andrew Tiernan ["Interview with the Vampire", "Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels" and "The Pianist"]; Vincent Regan ["The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc", "Black Knight" and "Troy"]; Dominic West ["The Forgotten", "Diana & Me", "Mona Lisa Smile" and "Hannibal Rising"] and Cinema Brazil Best Actor Grand Prize winner Rodrigo Santoro ["The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone", "Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle" and "Love Actually"] as King Xerxes.
"300" was .......
directed by Cannes Gold Lion Award winner Zack Snyder ["Dawn of the Dead"]; from the novel by Eisner Award winner Frank Miller ["Ronin", "Elektra: Assassin" and "Sin City"] and Eisner, Harvey and Comics Buyer’s Guide Award winner Lynn Varley ["300"]; costume design by Michael Wilkinson ["American Splendor", "Garden State", "Friends with Money" and "Babel"]; production design by James Bissell ["E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial", "Jumanji", "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" and "Good Night, and Good Luck"]; edited by William Hoy ["The Bone Collector", "I, Robot", "Fantastic Four" and "Dawn of the Dead"]; director of photography Larry Fong ["Cost of Living" and "Cape of Good Hope"]; original music by Tyler Bates ["Dawn of the Dead", "Slither" and "The Devil's Rejects"]; produced by Jeffrey Silver ["Assault on Precinct 13", "Training Day" and "The Santa Clause I, II & III"]; Bernie Goldmann ["Looney Tunes: Back In Action", "Taking Lives" and "George Romero’s Land of the Dead"], Mark Canton ["Men in Black", "Bad Boys" and "As Good As It Gets"] and Gianni Nunnari ["From Dusk Till Dawn", "Se7en" and "The Departed"]. Who's Who?

Gerard Butler Lena Headey Dominic West David Wenham Vincent Regan Michael Fassbender Tom Wisdom Andrew Pleavin Andrew Tiernan Rodrigo Santoro Giovani Antonio Cimmino Stephen McHattie Tim Connolly Marie-Julie Rivest Robert Paradis Tyrone Benskin Stewart Myiow

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King Leonidas Queen Gorgo Theron Dilios Captain Stelios Astinos Daxos Ephialtes Xerxes Pleistarchos Loyalist Leonidas' Father Leonidas' Mother Spartan General Persian Emissary Persian General

Run Time 117 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2007 - Warner Bros - All Rights Reserved ©2007 All Rights Reserved - Protected by Australian & International Copyright. Trademark Laws Apply.