7.8 | / 10 |
Users | 4.5 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
Leonidas, the Grecian king leads 300 of his fellow Spartans into a battle against the overwhelming force of Persian invaders.
Starring: Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, Dominic West, David Wenham, Vincent ReganAction | 100% |
Adventure | 64% |
Epic | 44% |
Comic book | 36% |
Fantasy | 32% |
War | 24% |
History | 22% |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
French: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1 (640 kbps)
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
In the midst of an intense battle, the screen snaps into slow motion with the gentle dexterity of a falcon poised in mid-flight. Blood erupts in a graceful arc from the neck of a Persian warrior. The stabbing instrument is a Spartan spear and gripping the handle is the bellowing King Leonidas, in a powerhouse performance by Gerard Butler. The action snaps back into full motion and the bloody violence rages on. The characters are superimposed over a washed out, apocalyptic backdrop. Distortion-laden guitar riffs surge under the clamor of battle. With amped-up intensity and enough adrenaline to rock a coliseum, 300 is a CGI-stylized thrill ride.
In 300's stylized portrait of the battle of Thermopylae, Spartan King Leonidas (front, right) proves himself an inspirational figure and fiersome warrior in the fight for freedom against the Persians.
My theory and general observation that CGI and digital postproduction flatten the picture is
certainly borne out in this highly detailed BD. I don't mind the 2-D effect at all, given that
director Zack Snyder wants us to see the pages of a Frank Miller novel. Certain elements of the
visuals are extraordinarily three-dimensional. The spears and blood and occasionally the faces
and bodies seem to form a visual stage of their own, popping out of the drab background. But
the fact is that the picture looks flat compared to film that is not born from blue-screen and
postproduced to death on a video workstation. Where Pirates of the Caribbean and Casino Royale
show a depth that almost welcomes you to step in your screen, 300 is not welcoming in that
way at all.
But how much of the lack of depth is attributable to Snyder's vision and how much to the VC-1
codec that Warner favors over the MPEG-4 AVC used by Disney and Sony BDs? That is impossible
to say, unless Warner someday sees fit to release an MPEG-4 version of 300. I suspect it would
provide greater depth and realism. The amazing quality of 1080p video allows one to make these
judgments at all. So let's get this out of the way right now: the 300 BD displays incredible detail,
delivering resolution comparable to film. It may not be the movie I'd choose to demo my system
for a friend new to HDTV, but it's not far down the list.
Just look at the film grain itself, prevalent throughout 300, to get a sense of the resolution. I
would be inclined to rate the video much more harshly if the film grain was missing or not
adequately resolved. I notice much whining about film grain, but that is like whining about water
being wet. If it isn't wet, it wouldn't seem like water. And if there is no film grain in the picture,
it wouldn't seem like film. Another subject of whining: 300 is in an aspect ratio of 2.4:1. I enjoy
this ratio, but those wary of black bars, be warned.
While the video detail is impressive, I suspect Warner takes some shortcuts and lacks some of the attention to detail in producing blu-ray content
compared to other studios that do not dabble in HD DVD. I also suspect Warner takes shortcuts in the audio production of its blu-ray titles, and
here again 300 is detailed beyond standard DVD, but does not get the highest marks. The audio seems a bit masked and not as open, not
conveying the same depth as other studios' BDs. Mastered at a relatively low level, 300 requires the volume to be pumped up about 6 dB
compared to some other content. But the tones seem accurate and detailed. Often, the sound effects are outright adrenaline boosting and awe-
inspiring.
The common clank of weapons on shields or crushing into flesh was resolved convincingly and brought the action to life. The background score
was sometimes a bit muddled or lacked detail, but the average listener should have no complaints once the volume is adjusted. Voices were a
standout success, ringing out clear and with copious detail above the soundtrack and din of battle.
Some HDTV fans are excited by Dolby TrueHD. I have been to Dolby Labs in San Francisco where I was invited by a friend from Sony Singapore to
compare the TrueHD and PCM content of a promotional blu-ray disc. We heard a difference that audiophiles would describe as a more realistic
resonance with the PCM. The instruments reproduced using TrueHD had less bloom, but on low-end systems, this may come across as an
advantage, so I am reluctant to criticize Dolby TrueHD. Those with golden ears and a reference quality system will definitely want to opt for PCM,
though.
The 300 BD has plenty of special features in 1080i (although some parts are in 480i and 480P. These include additional scenes of the traitorous hunchback and giant warriors not in the theatrical release; a special on Frank Miller's vision and how it was brought to film; a fact or fiction study of the life of Spartans; a segment on how the actors build their characters around Spartan characteristics and customs; a webisodes feature allowing viewers to go on set with the cast and crew; and commentary by director Zack Snyder.
Spear thrusts, battle cries and erupting blood become artwork in 300. What makes it fun to watch, beyond the technical prowess of the
filmmaker, is the value placed on freedom and the way the testosterone is dedicated to fighting tyranny and slavery. Beyond that, 300 is about
a real people and a real battle. It tells a story.
If you've followed my reviews, you may be wondering how I could praise 300 but find Apocalypto to be abysmal. Consider the reason behind
showing the violence and the manner in which the camera frames and follows it. In Apocalypto, we follow a man over the edge of a waterfall
and have to see his head cracking against the rocks below, and blood clouding the water in a sober, realistic voyerism. In 300, we follow a
man over the edge of a well and watch him artfully flail and contort until his figure fades to black. We get the message without seeing him die
so graphically. The bloodwork in 300 was cartoonish, over the top, bigger than life. In Apocalypto, it was sadistic, meticulous, unyielding and
simply sickening. The camera dwelled on organs yanked from bodies. But 300 never went there.
Another difference is the way 300 is stylized. It is an illustration come to life. This required working with small sets and CGI, and as a result, the
movie feels claustrophobic and 2-D. But it is a style worth the price, and the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
It may not be for everyone, but 300 is a blockbuster like few others for those who enjoy CGI worlds, special effects, epic battles and graphic
violence. It had elements of the slasher or goth genre and an overall dark, foreboding feel to it. When I first saw it, I thought for brief moments
I was seeing a cheap imitation of Gladiator, with the same elements of honor, glory, battle skill, dedication and betrayal. But upon second
viewing I realize 300 is a truly innovative film that stands on its own merits. The story is strong, the production values are impressive and the
thrill ride is intense.
2006
The Complete Experience
2006
The Complete Experience / 300 #1 Comic Book
2006
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2006
Iconic Moments
2006
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2006
Director's Cut
2005
Director's Cut
2004
The Ultimate Cut
2004
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2002
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