journal features

movie review - 300

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Tokyo, 2008.05.11

This is a very stylish and imaginatively-filmed/animated period piece set in antiquity. It tells the story of the Persian invasion of Sparta, and the defense of that city by a bunch of oiled, muscled, and taciturn men you could barely call characters. Everyone is a posturing asshole, and most have six-packs instead of any form of character. It just goes on and on. The tagline is "Prepare for glory" and everyone acts like they have an erection under their leather cuirass.

Not recommended.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering