Why was 300 such a box-office success? My take.

I think people liked it because it was something NEW compared to usual films. It told us that there is such a thing as GOOD and EVIL. That it's not all splotches of gray. It told us that if you want to live and remain free, you have to be willing to fight and die to preserve your liberty.

It was a film everyone could ultimately enjoy. Finally, a film with real heroes. Finally, a film that spoke to the best in us and that which most Americans hold dear: Liberty, country and family. Finally, a film that made us feel good about ourselves. And It personally made me feel good about being an American and made me appreciate our men and women overseas. Not a conservative film. Just a stridently illiberal one.


For once in a while, this movie was not how Hollywood sees the world.

White Man = Evil.

All Others = Victims

Now, don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a conservative or pro-Bush film. If it were it would be just another Hollywood polemic. It’s no message film, either. It is first and foremost a highly sylized, very violent battle film. But it appealled to conservatives for the same reason it had close-minded liberals — spoiled by thirty years of getting their way in darkened theatres — grinding their teeth: The film is not liberal.

What it is is illiberal, and it’s illiberalism is everywhere. Sparta is a peaceful country ruled by King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) who respects his Queen and holds her opinion in esteem. In comes a Persian messenger who insults women and advises the king that should he agree to pay a tribute to Persia’s king Xerxes they will not invade Sparta and enslave its people. Leonidas’ diplomatic answer is to kick the Persian down a well and go to war. Now, this is not supposed to happen in movies. The black guy isn’t supposed to be the sexist, fascist, imperialist — at least not when there are white guys around to do it for him. And the hero’s not supposed to shun appeaseme– er, diplomacy in favor of war.

What makes this all work and not pedantic is that the film wisely eschews politics or any modern day references. Like Spartacus and Ben-Hur, 300 is about bravery, freedom, honor, and country. These are universal themes. But universal themes that will offend liberals because they’re not defended in a PC fashion. Liberals today(not yesterday)believe bravery is being brave enough to kiss despot hiney in the corrupt UN. Liberals today believe freedom is porn in school libraries. Liberals believe honor is leaking national security secrets to the New York Times. Liberals today believe ”country” is about everybodys country but ours, so it’s okay to give mass murderers autographed basketballs and ask them to dance. The men in 300 believe they are good, their families are good, their country is good, and worth dying and fighting for. Now, that is not a conservative value. But it is an illiberal one.

It’s impossible not to compare the enemy in 300 to the current Islamofascists. The Persians are ruled by a theocracy; a king, Xerxes, who looks like a Culture Club refugee, fancies himself a god, and demands to be worshipped. The Persian ambition is to conquer those willing to convert, and butcher those who refuse. To convert some, Xerxes promises them paradise — especially a lot of hot women(They looked diseased to me). Maybe not seventy-two. Certainly not virgins. But it’s all pretty familar. Again, this is not conservative. Using reality as a metaphor is not political. Not using reality as a metaphor because it doesn’t conform to PC standards is political.

I’ve no doubt critics have calling 300 old-fashioned, and worse. But they’re wrong. After forty years of liberal rule in Hollywood, it is nihilism that’s old-fashioned. It is moral relativism that is tired. It is political correctness, the always-noble people of color, the always-evil white guy, and the metrosexual that is cliched. A film with a clear divide between good and evil is something new. A film that celebrates patriotism, heroism, sacrifice, freedom, and honor is something revolutionary. In 1955, 300 would be old-fashioned. In 2007 it makes a counter-culture statement as strong as Easy Rider in its day.

That is why I believe 300 did extremely well at the box office. This is just my opinion. This is also my one hundredth post. YIPPIE!!!

 

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I just thought it was because it was about Spartans and everyone knows that even though many were gay and/or bi-sexual, they kicked ultimate ***. Spartans are still legendary warriors that even if people don't know much about them, we all know they were superb warriors and very determined. I so watched it for the Spartans. I don't really think I cared about the 'race' scenario at all or the liberal or conservative fronts since it's a totally different time and place. The movie was not even historically all valid, but you know...it still kicked butt.