Attention
all comic book fans!! The
legendary Frank Miller is at it once again.
Having established a career in comics in the late 70's, he
gained tremendous fame for writing the prominent, dark crime comic Daredevil,
infused life into Elektra,
and then moved onto the highly acclaimed and redefined Batman:
The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One.
Miller's stardom continued to catapult with his
Sin
City
series and its successful film adaptations co-directed with Robert
Rodriguez. Maybe you've heard of it? Hehehe.
This
time around Miller is collaborating with Zack Snyder to captivate
and exhilarate audiences with his exceedingly epic graphic novel
series 300
which depicts and glorifies the ancient Spartan war fought in
defense of their democracy. Snyder
who made his directorial debut in 2004's horror film, DAWN OF THE
DEAD, helps to resuscitate the story of a bloody and barbaric battle
led by Spartan leader, King Leonidas, played by the hunky Gerard
Butler. The film
is scheduled for release on March 9, 2007.
Last
week, Warner Brothers gave press members the opportunity for a sneak
peak at its upcoming larger than life film 300, followed by a
Q&A with Frank Miller, Zack Snyder and star Gerard
Butler. We were shown
five different mouthwatering scenes throughout the night. Live
action and virtual backgrounds were combined to capture and animate
this historic tale of the Battle of Thermopylae.
I for one, was completely blown away by the special and
visual effects, and chilling bloodshed battle scenes accompanied by
some powerful music. If you haven't
seen the film's online teaser trailer yet, click HERE.
Creator Frank Miller being cool
WHAT
I SAW...
The
first scene takes us to the beginning of the film which opens with a
voiceover explaining how a Spartan boy is prepared and trained for
combat. A young Leonidas is
born, inspected for any imperfections and then painfully trained for
battle. He is thrown into
harsh habitats to grow tough skin and learn how to survive on his
own. During this time, a
young Leonidas is forced into growth with some severe beatings and
then faced with the challenge of spearing a vicious circling wolf.
The scene finally ends with King Leonidas killing the
messenger sent by the Persian King Xerxes asking the Spartans to
surrender their city. At this
point, King Leonidas' presence, power and audaciousness become
amplified thus making him irresistible and captivating!!!
In
the next scene, we observe a bewildering battle scene in which the
Spartans kick some major Persian butt!!
The Persians try to move in on the impossible Spartan barrier
formed by their shields to protect themselves from the enemy.
However, the Spartans are relentless and not easily defeated.
At first we have nothing but chaos: chopping, stabbing,
slicing and blood squirting in every direction.
This is a spectacular battle scene in which Snyder eventually
incorporates a powerful slow mo fight sequence that enraptures the
viewer. The bloodshed is
exaggerated as you see the animation unfold and come to life!
The
following scene takes us to an intimate moment between King Leonidas
and Queen Gorgo. She helps
ease his mind and uncover the real reason why she has been
physically neglected. A strong
Spartan woman knows what she wants and knows how to get it.
Needless to say we are led to a passionate lovemaking scene,
nudity and fulfillment on and off screen.
Off screen because you can't help but notice the surreal
muscular body on King Leonidas. Wow,
talk about six pack abs and this is before gyms and health food
stores existed!! I'm afraid to
say that every man may feel slightly inferior after seeing these
Spartan bodies of steel. This
scene sure wet my appetite!
In
the scene to follow, King Leonidas meets with King Xerxes.
The visual effects never cease to amaze me as they become
more and more impressive with magnified sizes, extravagant costumes
(or lack of) and the use of sharp colors.
King Xerxes appears to be a flamboyant freak who walked right
out of an s & m club with one mission.
He threatens to destroy all of
Sparta
unless King Leonidas surrenders. Being
a proud, passionate and noble warrior, King Leonidas refuses to give
up the freedom of his people and swears that he will prove that
"even a good King will bleed".
The
final sneak peek scene takes us to the big battle between the the
Spartans and King Xerxes's army, the Immortals.
The Spartans are uncompromising and are prepared to sacrifice
their lives against this hideous, monstrous looking army.
The battle becomes very ferocious especially when a gigantic
beast like warrior is set loose on the Spartans.
Just as my blood starts pumping and adrenaline peaking, the
lights come back on the sneak peek to an end.
Everyone is left speechless, in awe and hungry for much more.
MY
REACTION...
If
Warner Brothers intentions were to wet our appetite, they succeeded
in doing so. I have no doubt
that fanboys will be thrilled with the outcome of this extremely
graphic film. This ancient
battle of the Spartans is illuminated and visualized ever so
magnificently by Snyder with its slow and gory battle sequences that
leave very little to the imagination.
300 is certainly on testosterone overdrive and the cause is
noble. It almost makes you
wonder, what happened to the benevolent and honorable men who once
fought these wars with as much passion as they had for their women?
Immediately
following the preview scenes came the Q&A with Miller, Snyder
and Butler. All three men were
extremely pleasant and informative. Check
out what they had to say.
THE
Q&A
Star Gerard Butler and me
Was there any other film that you looked to when directing this film?
-
Snyder
said that there were no other films he looked to because this
was a different battle. He
stated that Xerxes' army had a different methodology in fighting
than the Spartans and when they came together you could see the
contrast. Xerxes army had
a technological seniority. Also,
the Spartans had no other jobs than
fighting. This is
all they did back then.
How many of the sets and locations were real and how many virtual?
Having written this graphic novel, do you think that writer's should have
an influence on the movies?
The
score is very different with different genres of music.
Was that a conscious
effort?
-
Snyder
said that it is was a conscious effort to support the visuals
and have every move match with the music.
-
Miller
said that this is a scary modern movie and unlike our father's
300. He loves the movie
for the music aspect of it.
Was there any importance of Mythology in directing or writing this
script?
-
Miller
said that sure, of course it did and that he grew up with it.
-
Snyder
agreed and said that it did have an importance in the cultural
aspect of it.
How tricky were the blue screens with the fight sequences?
-
Butler
said that it made the fighting scenes easier because they were
in a more controlled environment and in a studio.
So it wasn't more the fighting scenes but more of the
dramatic scenes that were challenging because often they were
fighting and yelling at armies and people that weren't there.
He would turn to talk to his own army but no one was
there. Being surrounded by
blue screens and pretending to be in Thermopylae was tough and
he said that he had to use a lot of his imagination.
-
Snyder
said that it was easier using the blue screens because the set
was in the computer and if it was a fake set, they would have to
shoot it anyway. The
computer can be manipulated to change whatever you like rather
than having to shoot and re-shoot.
What
made you choose to write 300?
What made you decide to go from
Phantom
of the Opera to this,
Gerard?
-
Butler
said that as an actor, it's good to do different things.
When he had the opportunity to sing for Phantom he took
it because he had never done that.
With the script for 300, he thought it was exceptional
and he knew it would be a special film. So he felt the need to
be involved with this film. He
said he brought himself into a mental impression of a Leonidas
to bring that passion, physicality and dedication to the film.
Where do you see comic book films going from here?
-
Snyder
said that if you have graphic material like in this case, it
will make it better to watch and if you are true to it, that's
what will make great.
-
Miller
said it all gets down to the content and what's in it that
matters. If you are true
to what's happening in it, then you have something special.
-
Butler
said that he felt this was an incredible story turned into a
masterpiece by Zack and not your typical action film.
So if this film does well, it will encourage other
studios to take a gamble on great stories and content such as
this.
What will you be working on next Zack?
300
opens wide on March 9, 2007. Check out its official site HERE.
And yes, that night...I dined in hell!! (and JoBlo didn't even
pay for the dinner...whatta cheapskate)
Email to a Friend
Print Article
RSS Feeds
Send us a Scoop!
JoBlo on Twitter!
11:27PM on 11/20/2006