Is 300 a Vile, Racist Diatribe ... or Harmless Fun?

Question

The movie 300 -- a tale of Spartans dying gloriously in battle -- comes to DVD ($34.98; Warner Bros.) as the most surprising and polarizing movie of the year. It grossed an astonishing $70 million on its opening weekend in March thanks to a cool look that rivals The Matrix. Everyone was caught off guard, but it steamrolled on to more than $200 million in the US and $450 million worldwide.

Is it a vile, racist diatribe? Is it a veiled look at the world from Bush's eyes, with Iraq as the last stand of freedom and goodness against tyranny? Is it just a homoerotic video game come to life? Or is it all of them combined, indicated by one critic who said the movie was "what a Nazi propaganda film would look like if it had been drawn by Tom of Finland."

Watch the film again on DVD and it's hard to burden the story with any of the weight critics have placed on it. Director Zack Snyder chats away on the commentary track in full geek mode -- detailing moment by moment what shots were CGI or

Some DVD releases this week actually battled stereotypes instead of reinforcing them. The TV show "Hawaii Five-O" was manna from heaven for Hawaiians who saw the beauty of their state celebrated on TV every week and Kam Fong playing the most distinguished Hawaiian in TV history as Detective Chin Ho Kelly. "Hawaii Five-O Second Season" ($49.99; Paramount) as it barreled into the top 20, where it would remain for most of its 12 year run.

So here's the question: are you offended by the inclusion of racist stereotypes in a collection of old cartoons? Or do you think presenting them with some historical context takes care of it? And were the critics right who lambasted 300 for trafficking in tired, ugly clichés? Or did they make too much out of a fanboy fantasy that had nothing on its mind but gore and super-cool violence?

Answer 1

It is a trite movie that appeals to many racist's fantasies. How come at least 90% of the villains in the movie are Black? Seriously, are there even any Black Persians? Some might say that Persia was a mighty empire that did conquer many parts of Africa, but they did not rule and dominate the Persians as the movies suggests. Every leader presented in the movie besides Xerses is Black, and is accordingling cruel, vile, sexist, yet weak at the same time helpless to combat the Spartans. Also, why is everyone that isn't a Spartan shown as being either Black, weak (boy lovers) or some kind of freak? Xerses himself is presented as some kind of effeminate giant. Adaptation or not it is still a racially inspired case of disinformation.
To make heroes out of a bunch of dysfunctional wack jobs is about par. Really, having children kill each other, and then throwing them out in the wild is admirable? Get real nothing about Sparta or their way is or was admirable They were nut jobs who were eventually destroyed by their fellow Greeks.
To end this I have one question. Where is Sparta now?

Answer 2

The movie was a direct adaptation from a comic book published before bush was in office. The comic book was based on varied reports of a battle that took place centurys ago. If there is any question of racism or political message, that question should be posed to Frank Miller, author of the graphic novel.

Answer 3

Haha who believes that?
This turd nugget was based a book by Frank Miller and should be criticized more for its deplorable acting, script and production rather than hinting at Snyder possessing the ability to send a meaningful message.

Harmless fun all the way. The only way to enjoy this movie is to shut your brain off and cheer as the carnage ensues.

Answer 4

It was just a movie that was based on Frank Millers verson of the story of the 300 spartans

Answer 5

Sometimes people take offense where none is intended. I think "300" is a movie - its meant to be entertainment. The Iranian government was complaining that it was a "dig" at Iran, but the battle that is depicted took place before Iran existed, thousands of years ago. You can find offense anywhere if you look hard enough, even thought it wasn't meant to be there.

Answer 6

This will not even answer your question, but I really think that 300 was sort of a rip off from Achilles and his Myrmidons off the movie of Troy (2004).

Answer 7

I think that it would be harmless fun, and great if things worked out for those looking...

Answer 8

I think it is just a terrible movie in general. I wasn't entertained at all.

Answer 9

Dude, its just a movie. Chillout

Answer 10

i thought it was an enjoyable movie..i didnt see any racism in it.