[Alassante]

Just a note and I don't know if anyone remembers it but Peter Jackson had some controversy over the Two Towers because it was released after 9/11 and the war with Afganistan. People thought it was in poor taste that the movie was named the Two Towers and the bad guys at the Black Gate were represented to look like they were from the Middle East. Read about it on this webpage. Rumor is the scene with Sam and Frodo after the Nazgul flew overhead where Sam said "There is good in the world Mr. Frodo and its worth fighting for" or something similar was an added scene in support/sympathy to those of 9/11 and the soldiers in the war on Terror. I'm going mostly on memory here so feel free to tell me I'm crazy. lol

If you look deep enough into any movie about wars you can find something to be controversal or political about. While I have no Iranian friends, I do have friends in Greece and the Greeks seem to be divided about the movie. Most think its the best thing since sliced bread and does Greece proud. A few are annoyed that movies and culture (don't even get them started about My Big Fat Greek Wedding ) portray the Greeks and their history inaccurately.

I think its important to remember that it IS a movie for entertainment and not a political agenda. Like people who hate fanfiction about certain characters or plot lines, Or people that hate a certain type of music. I think to myself if you don't like it - you have the option of not reading it/watching it/listening to it.

BTW Good article Do.

[vladazhael]

Ooo, very good article indeed!

It's probably also worth noting along with the whole debate that though the audience is led to empathize with the Spartans, and though it's an American movie, Americans really only have limited claim to the cultural heritage of ancient Greece. No matter how many ways our science and literature has been shaped by Socrates and the like, and no matter how much the writers might project modern ideals onto the characters ("Freedom is not free?" That's Frank Miller, not the real Spartans.), we can hardly say "Oh, we're just like those guys!" when we're many miles, many centuries, and many cultural shifts removed from what actually happened to inspire the story as told in the movie. Hell, the Sparta I'm geographically closest to every day is a small town full of NASCAR fans.

Although Dick Cheney as one of the ephors? Totally see that...

[NancyBrooke]

"And Memphis, that's a small city, home of Elvis, and the ancient greeks!" -Talking Heads

[Sirannon]

Political discussion aside, I found this one moderately amusing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43ZCAt7Bw-g&NR

300 the PG rated version

[Sirannon]

oops wrong link!

This was the one I meant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNqiSkd1M6k

[RJLCyberPunk]

[Rhapsody]

[vladazhael]

[Ottis413]

I prefer to leave my politics and-or religion (or lack of) at the cinema door when I go see a movie. I generally avoid movies with an agenda or some political ax to grind.. the line Freedom isn't free kinda' stuck out in the movie, but other then that I don't think they really tried to get obviously political.
When I watch a movie I like to forget all that stuff..

[inglor]

My friend nudged me about the Spartans fighting for freedom line. I replied: "Forget about it, she's on a roll" (bonus points for those who recognize that line...)

[inglor]

[DarkElfChilde]

I fully enjoyed this movie. It's an action film with a message, it had all of two levels:

Orgasmic action the likes of which we have not seen in a wide-release movie. [Okay, so I like violence...>.>]

Deep and clear messages: Freedom or Death, loyalty over power or wealth, great sacrifice by the few to save the many, put your life where your mouth is, the free man who fights for his freedom is greater than a hundred enslaved soldiers, when you piss off Sparta, start praying.

[DarkElfChilde]

Oh, and one more thing, the graphic novel is awesome.