You can't please all of the people all of the time

[amari_z]

So, I went to see the 300 this afternoon. I wanted to like it, I really did. I had tried to check my historical sensibilities at the door and suspended my disbelief, and, especially given the mood I've been in lately, I was all too eager to watch some ass kicking--but you know what? I actually left the theater despising it.

Oh, the visuals were neat, the male bodies nicely sculpted, the fight scenes interestingly staged, but, seriously? Every racist stereotype, every homophobic prejudice taken and run with. It pushed all the wrong buttons, pandered to prejudice, and I'm actually appalled.

(And don't tell me that this is based on reality. Xerxes was likely as white skinned as Leonidas, who, by the way, was one of two kings. Sparta was not a democracy in any modern sense of the word but a society built on slave labor. Historically, Spartans were known as lacking in art, culture, learning and philosophy--and placing no value on such things. So, white men fighting for liberty, rationality, freedom, democracy, civilization, etc. against ethnically monstrous hordes of cowardly exotics enslaved to a false god. Yeah. Sounds just a little familiar.)

I know a lot of people enjoyed this movie, and I really wanted to, but just no fucking way. I can't turn off my brain to that extent. And in the world we unfortunately live in today, I can't write this off as just harmless stupidity in the name of "entertainment."

If you disagree or think I'm overreacting, I'm, despite my vehemence, happy to discuss. So, what did you think?

Comments

[amara-1783.livejournal.com]

I have really enjoyed reading your views. I haven't seen the movie, though I did see a trailer for it which appalled me enough that I was put off. The racism and homophobia, evident even in the trailer, just made me far too uncomfortable.

I wonder who decided to call Thermopylae the 'hot gates'. Apart from finding that hysterically funny (and vaguely pornographic-sounding, though that my just be me) I also think it's very... sad, in a way that drags everything down to the lowest common denominator, instead of daring to think the audience might have two brain cells to rub together.

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed my rantings--I was really quite annoyed, wasn't I? You were wiser than I was; I should have stayed away as well, but I was encouraged to watch it, since, as you can see from the above, a number of friends of mine enjoyed it, which I have to admit, I find rather disturbing. *shrugs*

I suspect it was the author of the graphic novel (which you could not pay me to read) who made the "hot gates" call, but I don't know. The movie was clearly intended to appeal to adolescent boys (never mind that it actually also appears to have appealed to many women), whom media moguls generally seem convinced must be morons.

Thanks for commenting. : ) I love discussing books and movies, although I think I tend to f-lock most of the posts for some reason. This movie, though, raised my ire sufficiently that apparently only a public post would do.

[amara-1783.livejournal.com]

I am now tempted to go see it just to see how awful it is, but am loathe to give up your impression of me as being wise ;) And also not thrilled about subsidising racism and homophobia. I will look out for it if it is ever shown on tv, though, if only just to see them say 'hot gates' with a straight face. I am looking forward to more of your posts :D

[amari-z.livejournal.com]

Lol, I won't hold it against you. ; ) The visuals really are amazing, which is why I think it suckers people in.