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

[darklyscarlett.livejournal.com]

Here's why the film didn't offend me in the least:

Yes, it's completely politically incorrect, but I don't think it's fair to read in any allegory to what's going on today.

Sparta was a racist, boorish, brutal, protectionist state. They saw themselves an ethnically superior people even amongst their fellow Greeks, and their foreign adversaries were deemed sub-human, all of which fed into their military demagoguery. The essence of the graphic novel was to portray this singular battle from their (one-sided) POV, not to arbitrate nor portray the historical context of the incursion and conflict.

However wrong Spartan culture was, this did battle represent one hell of military stand. The graphic novel and the movie do glorify military culture, including the parts of it that are wrong (though in many ways necessary), but that's exactly what telling the story of Thermopylae is about. It's about the now-incomprehensible valor, purpose and mechanism of that small band of human killing machines, and why it mattered to Western culture. And it's always going to be one-sided.

I guess I'm from the war is a force that gives us meaning school of thought -- as much as I abhor how our military power is being abused now, I'm not against everything about military culture.

[shelley-stone.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen it yet, but will reserve judgment. I may just wait until it comes out on DVD. My pet peeve is paying $12 to sit in an uncomfortable seat and have some moron discuss all the dialog prior to it happening.

Then again, I find most "action flicks" mindless and prejudiced. Most of them picture women as either stupid, completely nasty bitches, or helpless and in great need of a man. O_o So I don't expect much when I do go to see one. I think I was more interested in seeing the buff males. I might not even pay attention to the "plot" or the dialog. Just sit and drool, or doze....

Shelley

[sasha-b.livejournal.com]

Well....I don't want to get into a discussion with you about this as I don't have the political/historical background you do in regards to the history of the event. I know about it from what I was taught in school and from what I've read in fiction books, ie. Steven Pressfield, etc.

The only thing that gives me pause in what you've said is the comparison to modern day events: 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 hesitate to even say anything - for the reasons I've mentioned above. I DO NOT get into political/religious/philosophical discussions with those I love because I don't have the history to back up my own thoughts most of the time - I only have my feelings on the subject, which for most people is not enough to validate said feelings.

That being said - I cannot look at this film except as pure entertainment for the reason that, just like Sin City, X-Men, SpiderMan, Fantastic Four, etc, this is a comic book. Yes, its based on "real life" events - but the filmmakers have said that they wanted this film, The 300, to be "Frank Miller's The 300" come to life. It was not meant to be a representation of history.

That's why I can't see that point of view you brought up.

I really, really hesitate to say anything for fear of making you think I'm some idiot Texan hick who doesn't know what the hell she's talking about. I look at this as a student of the art of film, which I am. That's what my degree is in. So with this kind of silly, gore-filled comic entertainment I just check my history - sparse as it is - at the door and try to see it for the comic book filmed that it is.

And for the record, I don't think you're overreacting at all. I respect your opinion - that's why I'm taking the chance to post mine.

I hope this doesn't lower your feelings towards me. :)

[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.