Movie Review: 300

So while in SF for work last week I was able to catch 300 on opening night - it's been awhile since I saw a movie on opening night, so pretty cool. It was tough trying to get 25 people into the theater at the same time, but it worked out pretty well especially because some of us were able to sneak by the freaky ass long line to get in.

The movie itself was really good I thought. If you are a fan of Frank Miller or the movie adaptation of his Sin City, then you should like this flick. Shot in a very short timeframe and almost entirely in a green room studio, 300 is a beautiful designed film. As much as the battle scenes dominate the movie, the landscapes are just as impressive.

Be warned though - this movie doesn't hold back on the violence. Heads are chopped off, blood splatters, people get sliced and diced. I was surprised though that the violence didn't take away from the story for me. Obviously it is a huge component of the story, but I never felt overwhelmed by it. Some of the more interesting scenes took place outside of the battle field - Xerses chambers, the Sparta meetings and the several 'calm before the storm' scenes.

Overall this was a good experience. You have to know what you are getting before the movie starts. This isn't an intellectual movie, but instead a feast for the eyes and ears.

Special props to the 10 guys who came into the movie late dressed in Sparta costumes - wicked funny.

Lastly, the movie opened with a full-length trailer for Grind House.....awesome to see on the big screen and can't wait for this to come out!