Defending '300'--From My Huffington Post Blog

Last time I checked I wasn't a 13-year-old boy. I also wasn't pro Nazi, pro War, or even excessively pro body beautiful.

So why did I like 300 so much? According to critics ranging from the Village Voice, Slate and The New York Times, liking 300 might make me a video game addicted fan boy with one foot in the closet or a full blown, "Mein Kampf" spewing Fascist.

The negative reviews regarding 300's bloody pro battle ethos have more to do with the director Zach Snyder and graphic novelist Frank Miller than my apparent lizard brain ingesting all of this mayhem and so called Fascist propaganda. According to some of these writers, I'm probably not really thinking as I watch the movie.

But here's the thing. I was thinking. I was, in fact, acutely aware of how critics and viewers would perceive the battle glory CGI beauty of the picture. I did indeed wonder if many would be offended by the depraved, unctuous Persians cast against the Spartans--that uber machine of manhood and muscle. I could already hear critics bemoaning how King Leonidas' uncommon valor would inspire teenage boys to enlist and that military folk would probably high five and cheer while watching the movie (apparently this is actually happening.).

Don't misunderstand--I've got no problem with these opinions (the strong reaction, in the end, makes the whole experience more interesting), and 300, so far isn't my favorite movie of the year (that would go to Zodiac and Black Snake Moan and at this date, Death Proof), I'm just here to say, I enjoyed 300 and I don't feel guilty about it. I was dazzled by the operatic exaltation and found it, in many ways, a depiction of not only bravery but absolute insane honor (these guys are on a suicide mission)--an honor that couldn't possibly exist today and most certainly does not resemble what's going on in Iraq. I also found the whole spectacle endlessly beautiful--and not because the Spartans were perfect specimens of manhood. I actually viewed the "degenerate" aspects gorgeous as well. The deformed, razor handed executioner, the scary mask faces of the Immortals, and of course, all the artfully rendered blood, guts and severed heads.

Read the rest of my post (and a little Fassbinder love) here. And yes, yes, I am aware the film could also be construed as homophobic. There's all kinds of homo-somethings in "300" (yet another reason I like it).

And why not? This is old news but...proof I love all those severed heads:

Comments

[Matthew]

I'm with you: I too don't fit this tidy, narrow demographic that some critics insist can only appreciate the elegant spectacle that is 300. There's a lot to love, and you've covered a lot of the territory above, including this reason: that it's decidedly "homophobic" **AND** unabashedly "homoerotic"!!! Thanks for a great post, and I so enjoyed your guest spot with Roeper. PEACE!

[Felix]

I hate when they specifically fit this demographic in any movie to condescend to it, or to excuse it's horrific qualities.

"Norbit sucked."
"Yeah but you're not their target audience."

"300 is more for the pro-war, teenage demographic."

Same animal, different form.

I agree.

"or even excessively pro body beautiful."

Neither am I, but I don't hesitate to gleam at the presence of a hot woman. It's one of the reasons why I'm a fan of yours.

Teehee.

[Rob Waters]

Seriously, is Roeper totally scoping your shit out or what? I mean, I don't blame him and it made for great TV but he is thinking about something other than "300" here...

Anyway, I also loved "300" and I'm the biggest anti-war guy you'll ever meet. Can't people just appreciate the beauty of the film and maybe stop thinking that ANYTHING pro battle means we want to continue our current ridiculous war? And if that's what some stupid person gets from the film, that's THEIR fault.

You were fantastic on the show. I wish you would come back.

[theron]

I think "300" is quite an achievement on several levels, but the thing that strikes me the most is how well it translates the source material. It perfectly captures the visual and emotional tone of the book. As well as Rodriguez did that in "Sin City," I think Snyder one-ups him here - and that is definitely an achievement.

[Piper]

Never before has so much chitty chat happened about a comic book movie. I don't see what all the deep dark fuss is about.

It was enjoyable and frankly I think it says a lot about the people who think there's something dark and sinister going on. And not about the people who just enjoy it as pure entertainment.

Me, I think that Grindhouse is nothing more than Zombie propaganda preparing us for the day when they all take over and take us to war. But that's just me.

[Steve Kraus]

Dan Savage who writes the "Savage Love" sex advice column that runs in indie papers across the country said of "300" "Some feel the film is homophobic; some feel it's a conservative, pro-war piece of agitprop. Homophobic? It's Ann Coulter on a meth binge."

Read his full comment here:
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=179349
(at the bottom of the advice column)

[Lola]

I went to see 300 after watching you w/ Roeper. I probably never would have seen it otherwise, and if I had, I don't think I'd have gotten much out of it.

I've re-evaluated my opinion on several movies I've read your reviews for. And it wasn't until I started reading your blog that I realized it perfectly okay to enjoy a movie for reasons not discussed in general company. Not every movie has to have an agenda and you're one of the few reviewers who can enjoy a movie for what it is. (And if it does have an agenda, you don't have subscribe to it to enjoy the movie anyway.)

I love your reviews.

[Peet]

Hey Kim,

It's good to hear something positive about this movie from someone I respect. I really enjoyed 300 (and I was already a fan of the graphic novel), despite hating the idea of war.

The thing is: Some films are made to be dissected, others are made to enjoy on a more primal, gut level. 300 falls apart the very moment you try to take it too seriously, which is what most critics seem to be doing. It's best to see it as the first truly original Western wuxia film: a fantastical ballet of stylized violence with Miller's usual blend of superhero pulp and Shakespearian bombast. History may form the basis, but Miller and Snyder make it abundantly clear that they're printing the MYTH!

Also: Critics who claim that this movie looks like a computer game have either no experience with computer games, or no aesthetic sensibility whatsoever. I saw a digital projection of 300, and it looked absolutely stunning from beginning to end.

[SolShine7]

I just saved that clip to my YouTube favorites. I'm so glad I found out about your from that epsiode.

[pdxer]

Hey hey hey...nice, Kim gets on to teevee. I'll have to go look for a full clip on YouTube or something.

So one of my fave bloggers is a gay dude in nyc (joemyg-d), and he went and saw it with a bunch of friends expecting it to all homoerotic in a gladiator kind of way I suppose. I don't think he came out happy with that intent in mind, which saddened me because really that's not what the film was about.

It wasn't trying to be one thing or another, but an homage to the graphic novel, and be fun to watch. I think it gets both, and very well.

Thanks for your review of it above.

[Goose]

cool site

[Steve Savage]

I saw 300. I was disappointed. It really was a comic book adaptation. I guess I was looking for something for my adult brain, but its basically for 17 year old girls and 14 year old boys.

[Caveman.Jones]

"300" is Spectacular: CGI is way cool - downright inspirational to this videophile; Digicam-a-rama!

It really took allot of guts to make, too.

-CJ
Ars longa, vita brevis

[Online Pharmacy]

Hi people great blog
There's a lot to love, and you've covered a lot of the territory above, including this reason: that it's decidedly "homophobic" **AND** unabashedly "homoerotic"!!! Thanks for a great post, and I so enjoyed your guest spot with

[watch movie]

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