Too much testosterone-inducing material here. Everything from the steel-hard abs to the constant campy pep-talk lines Leonidas spouts out to the sore lack of females. I understand that it is indeed an action movie and Zack Snyder probably didn't aim for it to be more than anything else, but it just kinda felt like one really long music video, with a bit of blood and violence.
I can't complain about the aesthetics of this film though. Visually stunning, it's really quite a sight to be seen, but the irony is how soulless these Spartan warriors all seem. Lack of character development plus the fact that they all look the same doesn't really help to lend any emotional weight to this film and any of its characters, and the dramatic impact was never really achieved especially when it needed it the most. (in the battlefield, when the Captain mourns for the loss of his son)
Frustrated, a little bored. Not entirely satisfied. These are the feelings I felt when the movie ended. Not a good adaptation by any stretch. It's kind of a letdown actually - a good reminder to never let internet hype get to you.
All in all, a homoerotic fest of a war movie, with a very generous helping of slow motion.
3/5 stars
IMDB
