Based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" is very loosely based the 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae, where the King of Sparta led his army against the advancing Persians; the battle is said to have inspired all of Greece to band together against the Persians, and helped usher in the world's first democracy.
Part of the fascination of the Thermopylae story is that it really happened, and it helped define real heroism. There's nothing remotely like reality to be had in this film.
– Tasha Robinson,
AV Club,
10 Mar 2007
rotten:
It might have been one of the great all-time mad, bad movies but for one thing - it's just sooo boring.
– Trevor Johnston,
Time Out,
17 Mar 2007
rotten:
300 was as pathetically puerile as I had expected.
– Andrew Sarris,
New York Observer,
21 Mar 2007
rotten:
A muscle-magazine fantasy crossed with a video game and an Army recruiting film.
– David Denby,
New Yorker,
26 Mar 2007
rotten:
300 has one-dimensional caricatures who talk like professional wrestlers plugging their next feud.