The Concept
Well made picture, some scenes seem as they were painted or drawn. A fresh breeze in cinematic I must say. Special effects are smoothly incorporated into action, they are used wisely. It is full of blood and pictures that fragile heart may not want to experience, but it fits the general concept. A+ for this part of work.

The Plot
Most of people living in “The Old Continent” has had at least heard about it, or know the full story. As usual the screenplay is a loose, fabularised adaptation of the historical facts.

Luckily the American tendency to twist facts in this kind of movies to make Americans heroes or give them glory for things they had nothing to do with (see U571 and the real story of deciphering Enigma for example, if you need one) this time had no chance to be present because the action takes place in 480 B.C. and the US are about 200 years old now… Even the usual pathos and speeches about freedom and liberty this time were totally in it’s place!

Of course there’s still plenty of details which miss historical truth, but that is not the point as it goes about the main story. All in all as for historical+impression aspects it goes far above usual so called “historical” American movies, I’d give it B- (yes, I’m being generous).

The International Discussion
I was very surprised hearing that “today’s Persian descendants” had protested against the movie and became offended of it’s content. They said the film pictures Persians as cruel, raging army, which takes great losses from small number of Greeks and eventually wins thanks to a traitor. Well *HELLO* – this actually WAS THE TRUTH! I know it is not a thing to be proud of for a nation, but you don’t see for example Germans protesting against each World War II and Holocaust movie… Past is past, one must remember it but also know today’s people are not responsible for their ancestors actions. Rather they can show their honor, sense and fairness by acknowledging the history.

In short words: well made, I enjoyed watching it very much and was not repelled by historical inconsistency which makes it a picture I will return to for certain. And it is worth going to the cinema to fully enjoy picture style.

Just got back from the cinema. I know what you’re going to think: “No shooting, no fighting, no sex – of course he didn’t like it!” Well… you’re pretty close! But no matter the mood (which was obviously for something different), I am capable of pretty much enjoying good romantic comedies (Love Actually, Notting Hill). This one was just… too ‘light’. I wish I could call it at least an eye-candy, but expecting little, little I got. A bit over-advertised. Even the ladies (90% of the audience) did not seem too impressed… Although I managed not to fall asleep in the cinema even though I slept only about 3 hours this night

It’s worth to add I still think it is one of the best of the current shows available…
So, what’s new in DVD rentals…

Surprise I met in cinema was quite outstanding. No fast cars, no aliens, no explosions, NO wasted time!

Black&white picture of a man on the edge -the edge of tiredness, the edge of desperation, the edge of bridge. His only hope and last resort comes from out of nowhere, is 2m tall sexy blonde… and jumps from the bridge… A story of life in the shades of gray, where black turnes to white and white shades to black. And with a great sense of humor too.

“Am I bound to loose?” The question everybody asks himself sometimes. Besson tries to answer it in an original manner. For me it is the first film of his since a long time that can not only provide good entertainment but also leaves us to consider ourselves and the world around us for a while. A film which you will go back to in your thought or perhaps even on DVD. My recommendation, you won’t waste your time! Bon apettite!