300 (2007)

300 is a visual feast and a new kind of epic film. Lord of the Rings may have started it all, but 300 is such film-making at its most visually glorifying best.
The plot is simple, a fictional adaptation of the Battle of Thermopylae, in which Spartan King Leonidas and his men faced a Persian army far superior in numbers. As the title suggests, Leonidas only had 300 men with him, but he was determined to fight to the last man to protect his nation. Thus we have one of the most famous last stands in history.
Much of the film's plot and its narrative are typical Hollywood film-making. What makes the film so lavishly enjoyable, though, is its rich cinematography and cgi. The film is color desaturated, and therefore conveys a moody tone of myth and fantasy. Many of the film's scenes can be taken out and pose for a Renaissance art on Greek myth. The rich lighting conveys the clear theme of legendary heroism.
And then there are the intense and bloody action sequences. The film is not the least bit shy when it comes to depicting the full spectrum of a gory battle, as we see plenty of limbs and decapitations, as well as plenty of blood splattered (artfully) all over the screen. The dark enemies they face - from ninja like warriors to giants to elephant beasts and the like, are all symbolic and vivid.
Clearly, you could say that the film is certainly not about building rich and deep characters. It strives purely to give us a full cinematic experience in epics. That being said, I was slightly disappointed that I was not emotionally stimulated enough - the visuals are there, but the storytelling certainly lacks a bit of the Peter Jackson magical touch. That's why I give it a 7 - but this is one film that any avid action lover should not miss.
7/10