300

300? Loved it.

Now, before you haters launch your sun-blotting cloud of arrows, keep in mind that to best appreciate a film, you need to understand it's context. 300 was not produced by BBC Television. It was not produced by the History Channel. It was not produced by Bruckheimer or Fox News. Anyone with half a brain could watch the trailer and know that this was going to be a crazy, stylized gladiator picture with lots of violence, sword-hacking and testosterone.

This is Sparta, G.

Sure, everyone has a waxed chest. Sure, it's not historically accurate. So what?! It rocks. I haven't seen so much crazy hacking swordplay since the Sinbad movies of the 1950's. What, you were expecting Russell Crowe? From the talented minds of that brought you Sin City? Okay, so it's a glorification of violence. That's true. But virtually every little boy, even those raised in pacifist communes, at some point will pick up a stick and turn it into a sword, spear or gun. It's in the D.N.A. Don't get me wrong...I don't recommend showing this film to children. It's not a kid's movie, brain scientist. It's a film for big boys. The ladies may like it, too, but this film definitely appealed to the big kid in me. I wanted to grab a sword and jump up to contribute to the body count! Reality check: I'd probably slip on the sand and fall off the cliff. I guy can fantasize, can't he?

And that's really the point. Sure, it's based on an historical event, but it's fantasy. Who buys a ticket to ride the carousel imagining that it's going ride like a wooden roller coaster? Or vice versa? Cranky people, that's who.

300 rocks. As long as you have the proper expectation.

For those of you looking for the Discovery Channel? It's on cable.