I can now officially say that I have seen the best movie that I can recall. 300 was not just good, it was a visual masterpiece. The colors were crisp and the graphics were astoundingly pretty. I have never seen blood splash in such beautiful patterns. I have never wanted to cover myself when I watched it rain in a movie. Of course, that was until I saw 300 and all of that changed.

From the moment the movie began to play, I was enchanted and entranced. This occurred until the last frame of the last scene. Some might say that it was due to my love of History, but I purposely did not look at this movie for the abundance or lack of fact that was presented. Instead, I looked at 300 as a movie that was based on a graphic novel by one hell of a writer, Frank Miller (Sin City 1-3) and later converted to a movie by the excellent, Zac Snyder.

300 revolves around King Leonidas, played by Gerard Butler (Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life, The Phantom of the Opera) and the 300 Spartans who took a stand against Persia and King Xerxes. In the movie, Xerxes, played by Rodrigo Santoro (Lost) expects all Hellenic city-states to bow down and worship him as not only a King, but as a God. Two of the most powerful states, Sparta and Athens have a problem with that and refuse to do so.

King Leonidas consults an oracle who tells him that if a Spartan King does not die then Sparta will be burned to the ground. Despite not having approval from the council, Leonidas departs to war with 300 of his best soldiers that have already been blessed with sons. The mission was a sacrifice mission though to these Spartan men it was a chance to die a beautiful death.

On the way to Thermopylae, the Spartans were met by 700 other soldiers. Although these extra soldiers were not focused on, they did battle. However, much of the weight of the battle was left on the 300 as the additional men were not professional soldiers as the men of Sparta were.

While the men of Sparta went off to their deaths to protect their city, Queen Gorgo, played by the lovely Lena Headey (Ripley’s Game, The Brothers Grimm) remains at home and pleads with the Senate to send more men to help the 300 come home safely. Headey was the only women portrayed in 300 and she offered a breathtaking view of the Spartan woman. Her strength only added to her beauty, even (and especially) in her moments of rage.

I cannot say anything bad about this movie. It was absolutely stunning from start to finish. I only wish that all of the movies I watch were half this good. If that were the case, I would be one happy reviewer. Having watched this movie once so far, I am already anxious to see it again, and know that I will watch it many times in the future. This is definitely not one of those movies you rent. 300 is definitely the kind of movie you will want to purchase because once you see it and it ends, you will want to start it all over again and watch it a second time.

From start to finish, you are offered a flawless graphic novel epic that was based on one of the most famous last stands in history. The graphics are superb, the music is resoundingly haunting and fits the movie perfectly, and the entire package is one that will leave you in awe. I cannot stress how much all movie lovers need to see this one. Perhaps one day all movies will be made with this quality, but until then I have 300 to console me and entertain me on those nights when the television has nothing on but remakes and Cameron Diaz movies.

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