300 - Become a Spartan

By Sayed Islam

In honor of the 300 DVD coming out today, here is a review of 300 to coincide with the DVD release. What better movie to review than 300? The epic and stunning film is based on Frank Miller‘s graphic novel. Although it is loosely based on the rivalry between the Persians and the Greeks in 480 BC, it is more based on Frank Miller’s interpretation of their feud. King Leonidas (leader of the Greeks) is as inspiring as any brilliant leader. The motion picture begins by accentuating the long and arduous process that young Spartan boys have to endure. In Sparta, boys were raised essentially at birth to become killing machines. If a Spartan baby boy was perceived to be inferior, then he was literally discarded.

As 300 progresses, Xerxes sends a Persian messenger to Sparta and asks for King Leonidas to surrender. That is not the Spartan way; the Spartan way is to “Never retreat, never surrender.” Insulted by the notion that King Leonidas and Sparta will be slaves under Xerxes, the great Spartan leader kicks the Persian messenger into a pit to his ultimate death as he shouts “this is Sparta!” Realizing that these actions would lead to a war, Leonidas seeks permission from the Ephors. Unfortunately, it has come to no avail because he is not granted authorization to fight against the Persian Empire from the perverse Ephors. Even though the Spartans are outnumbered more than 2 to 1, Leonidas believes that Sparta will be victorious. Furthermore, he gathers a group of 300 Spartans and gets ready for the most macabre quest of his life.

The picture is an amazing, jaw-dropping experience that no one should miss. Virtually every scene from start to finish is astronomical. There are a bevy of quotations throughout the duration of the film that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Including one where Leonidas states, “This is where we hold them. This is where we fight. This is where they die!” After that I heard that, I remember turning to my friend in the movie theater and saying “Oh snap.” A favorite scene by many people was when Leonidas exclaims, "Give them nothing, but take from them everything!" If that does not send chills up and down your spine, then I do not know what will. Another one being when a Persian said, “A thousand nations of the Persian empire descend upon you. Our arrows will blot out the sun,” and the Spartan responds by saying “Then we will fight in the shade.” I actually have this quote listed as one of my favorite quotes on my Facebook profile. The only flaw with the movie was the portrayl of Xerxes. In real life, he was a precocious tactician, but in 300 he was viewed as a coward. But that is merely one minor blunder in the movie. If you not doing sit-ups after watching 300, then something is wrong with you. This movie motivated me to do more exercise more than any dreadful Tae bo video. King Leonidas would pummel Billy Banks to the ground. I have no idea how many sit-ups I did after 300 was over because I passes out after the first 2, but the point is that I at least attempted them."

Final Verdict: See 300 and learn how to “dine in hell.”

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