I know, it’s long overdue, but I thought I’d do a review/comparison of Frank Miller’s 300 and the film of the same name. This, of course, was suggested to me by Devin, because it’s our 300th post. So, without further ado, let the bloodbath begin.

The Book

Frank Miller’s graphic novel about the war at Thermopylae isn’t entirely historically accurate first off, so let’s get that out of the way. It’s not meant to be historically accurate, it’s meant to be a story about courage. Accuracy has it’s place, but not in story-telling.

For what it’s meant to be, it does a great job. It keeps the reader entranced in the lives of King Leonidas and his Spartans. The pages are beautifully illustrated and even a bit gruesome when the story calls for it, after all it is Frank Miller. Granted, some readers may have a problem with the copious amounts of male nudity in the book, but that part is fairly historically accurate.

The writing is very well done also. Each character has a distinct “voice” and way of speaking, from King Leonidas to Stelios (aka Stumblios). They joke around with each other, argue amongst themselves, just like any platoon of soldiers would today. It gives the reader a sense of realism, that these aren’t just characters on paper but actual men who fought together for some time.

All in all, this book is a “buy”. It’s a good read whether it’s the first or fortieth time you pick it up. And you will pick it up again and again.

The Movie

The movie sticks very closely to the graphic novel. Almost panel-for-panel throughout most of the movie, as was also the case with Frank Miller’s over comic-to-movie experience, Sin City. Those who were offended by the male nudity of the book can rest easy on the movie, it is decidedly wang-free.

However, there are some stranger moments in the movie that were not in the book. Most notably the Immortals bringing out something that resembled the Uruk-hai from Lord of the Rings. These monstrous killing machines never tore a path of destruction through the book.

The line delivery for the movie was almost word-for-word in places as well. The only benefit to the movie, in this aspect, is that it gives you a better sense of sarcasm from Leonidas, whose lines are delivered almost dripping with sarcasm in this film.

The fight scenes are very well choreographed and shot using a mix of slow motion and high speed to really express the impact of the blows being delivered. These guys are also in great physical shape. I had read an interview around the time the movie released and one of the cast members was quoted as saying they spent the equivalent of a full-time job (8 hours a day) in the gym before shooting for the movie started.

This movie would be a buy as far as I’m concerned, and will be in my collection. Coincidentally, this movie comes out on July 31st, the same day our beloved WotG turns one-year old.

Conclusion

If you like the movie, you’ll like the book. If you like the book, you’ll probably like the movie. Both are good, and worth at least seeing if not owning.

If you liked that, try...

1. The Late Great Film Review: Transformers
2. Comic Rundown: Free Comic Book Day Edition
3. Comic Rundown: Mr. Freeze Strikes Midwest
4. Comic Rundown: Now with 100% more Skrulls
5. Caldi’s Manga Beat 01: What’s New in the Manga Pile.

1 Comment »

1. 
   Devin de Gruyl
   July 20, 2007 at 12:27 pm

   “Accuracy has its place, but not in story-telling.”

   That sentence should be tattooed in the eyelids of anyone who’s ever complained about the lack of scientific “reality” in Star Wars, or who’ve refused to see the new Transformers movie because it plays fast and loose with established TF lore for the sake of bringing the franchise to the next generation. Of course, it shouldn’t be an excuse to not do research, but there are many cases where technical/historical accuracy should be sacrificed if doing so would make the story you plan on telling better and/or more effective. As long as it makes sense within the context of the world you’ve created, it’s all good IMO.

   And, thanks for using my suggestion! ^^;

   [Reply]

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