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300
- Review Date: July 29, 2007
- R
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Bloody, fanboyish retelling of an ancient battle.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is no Masterpiece Theater rendition of ancient history. Like Sin City, 300 is an ultraviolent tale based on a graphic novel by Frank Miller. There's blood galore as the Spartans -- trained war machines -- defend their land against Xerxes' massive Persian army. Battlefield valor and violence is glorified by the Spartans, who take no prisoners and show no mercy. Heads literally roll, blood splatters, exotic animals are sliced and speared. Many, many soldiers on either side die gruesomely. If on-screen death and war -- even one so stylized and cartoonish at times -- is too disturbing a subject matter for your kids (or you!), this bloodfest isn't a safe bet.
What's the story?
Adapting Frank Miller's graphic novel 300, Snyder takes a hyperstylized visual approach to depicting the famed Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and his 300 elite personal guards defied their Oracle and the odds to wage war against Xerxes' huge, unrelenting Persian army. Faced with the choice of submitting to Xerxes (Brazilian Lost regular Rodrigo Santoro, rendered nearly unrecognizable in earrings and eye makeup) or waging war, Leonidas makes the only choice a warrior-king can: fight. Leonidas and his personal detachment, led by his captain (fine character actor Vincent Regan) and Dilios (David Wenham), discover that although they're grossly outnumbered, they can funnel the enemy into the Hot Gates (the literal translation of "Thermopylae"), a narrow pass where the Spartans' special-forces skills will crush wave after wave of the Persians. And, oh, how they crush. It's impressive and disarming to see the 300 delight in the "glory" of warfare. The Spartans, so drunk on warlust that they dismember, skewer, decapitate, and spear the enemy -- whether it's human, animal, or something in between -- are brave, but also a bit mad. What the Spartans want (unlike the Arcadians, a group of fellow Greeks that joins them) is not to survive but to "die a beautiful death" in battle.
Is it any good?
At times engrossing and at times laughably over-the-top -- the whole sequence in Xerxes' lair, with its hedonistic sensuality, smacks of stereotypical Orientalism, not to mention some of the grossly depicted Persian soldiers, and the disfigured hunchback who plays a central role -- 300 is entertaining as an extended war sequence. But it falls short of reaching the revolutionary Matrix-like status that the film's creators claim.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the Spartans' upbringing and values. Why are 7-year-olds forced to fight each other -- and adults?
Xerxes offers Leonidas what sounds like a sweet deal; why does the king, facing certain death, turn it down?
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Adult
May 26, 2010
AGE
Ah, Gerard Butler :) haha He makes this movie. I love the story, 300 against so many more and yet bravely facing their deaths. I cried when I watched this movie. Beware of nudity though.
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Teen, 13 years old
September 20, 2010
AGE
Extremely terrible!!
This movie has alot of violence, and alots of sexuality/nudity. This is actually perfect for ages 17 and older.
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Adult
November 16, 2009
AGE
Based on a history account. Well written.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 10, 2011
AGE
oh my god so much violence
The good stuff
*
Messages:
Themes of underdog heroism and not bowing to corruption get a little lost in the blood and gore.
*
Role models:
Even in the face of sure defeat, brave soldiers stand firm against tyrannous threats to freedom. A corrupt Spartan councilman is exposed as a traitor and brought to justice. But also some stereotyping based on Asian culture, as well as one character's physical disability.
What to watch out for
*
Violence:
Over-the-top battle-scene violence, including graphic decapitations, severed limbs, mutilated bodies piled high, arrow-filled torsos, etc. Young Spartan boys are forced to furiously fight each other. The Spartan mottos are "No retreat, no surrender" and "No prisoners, no mercy."
*
Sex:
Extended love scene between Leonidas and the queen; viewers can see her nude breasts and his butt. The adolescent Oracle writhes and sways while wearing a sheer cloth that reveals her breasts. A character unwillingly has sex to procure a politician's favor. Although no nudity is shown in that scene, the aggessor whispers menacingly: "This will not be fast. You will not enjoy this." Xerxes' lair is depicted like an orgy, with various half-dressed Persian women kissing, moaning, and having sex.
*
Language:
Colorfully worded insults like: "motherless dogs," "philosophers and boy-lovers," etc.
*
Consumerism:
Not an issue.
*
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Not an issue.
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Teen, 15 years old
November 19, 2010
AGE
Epic movie. Leonidas rufuses to give in to trany. Cartoon stlyle vilonce/blood and gore
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AGE
300 = Good
I think this movie was good, thought deffinitely NOT for young viewers. Explicit love scenes and lots of blood make for an ADULT movie, but still Gerard Butler is fantastic.
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AGE
300 = Good
I think this movie was good, thought deffinitely NOT for young viewers. Explicit love scenes and lots of blood make for an ADULT movie, but still Gerard Butler is fantastic.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 10, 2011
AGE
for mature pre-teen
I don't gonna lies but this is awesome ,the war scene totally awesome I watched in theater with my brother (he was 8 at the time ) and my dad,since we couldn't to buy it in dvd (we got the first it came out)the war scene were violent and bloody(with close up and slow motions decapitations) we see the queen and leonidas having sexe
but the movie is awesome
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Kid, 12 years old
February 12, 2011
AGE
Great adult horor movie not for anyone younger than 16
It was rated R for a reason. Very violent horor movie. Can even give teenagers nightmares.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 22, 2009
AGE
very good movie it was really bloody though when he chopped off the giants head that was gruesome but overall it was a good movie
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| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Zack Snyder |
| Cast: | David Wenham, Gerard Butler, Lena Headey |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 117 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 8, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | July 31, 2007 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity. |
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