FILMMAKER MOVIE REACTION!! 300 (2006) FIRST TIME REACTION!!

Hope you enjoy my filmmaker reaction to 300. :D
Full length reactions & Patreon only polls: / jamesvscinema
Original Movie: 300 (2006)
Ending Song: / charleycoin
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Twitter: / jamesadamsiii
Website: www.senpaishots.com/
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED. All rights belong to their respective owners.

[@JamesVSCinema]

THIS...IS...SPARTA!!! Want to vote on what I should watch next? Click here! www.patreon.com/jamesvscinema KUNG FU HUSTLE REWATCH REACTION will be uploaded Thursday! Enjoy the day!

[@rauliuxaa]

Look up spartacus series if you havn't seen it, one of the best series with one of the best endings you could imagine

[@johnheilds8116]

@@rauliuxaa it was a shame the guy that played him in the show past away after the first series.

[@rauliuxaa]

@@johnheilds8116 true that, it took me a few episodes to get used to a new guy, but he did an amazing job, and the series were just amazing. I think i'd say it's in my number 1 series ever. The whole series, just amzing, and it's a rare thing to see a an amazing show have such an amazing final asw, like icing on a cake.

[@jalankvng]

Please whenever you can, react to Warrior on HBOMAX. The show is so good

[@VeryFastRodi]

Maybe after 300, meet the spartans Would make a nice change up 😄

[@tigqc]

I showed my kitten this movie. He's a lion now and I have to pay him rent.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Lmfaooo you need to resolve that ASAP 😂

[@pirateman1144]

Nothing a good spear a narrow hallway can't fix. Spartan up, m8.

[@ruban8135]

@@JamesVSCinema lol

[@ruban8135]

@@pirateman1144 His apartment hallway is not the Hot Gates sir!

[@jasonm8017]

🤣FurrySpartan

[@midwestchaos5679]

The line “Then we will fight in the shade.” Was legit said. First one liner in recorded history.

[@chrisdolan9579]

Difference between one liners now, and back then, is today it's done just to make someone sound good, back then, they meant it!

[@wasabi5338]

the "come and get (take) them." and "only spartan women give birth to real men" are also said before that. Spartans have the laconic wit, basically they love one liners, and they can definitely back it up lol

[@BigKnecht]

Historians even gave it a name. "Laconic speech", named after the laconic greeks which were the spartans. It's basically one liners and badass, non wordy insults like Clint eastwood and Schwarzenegger.

[@joshuaschulz3897]

FUN FACT: In ancient Sparta, the only people buried in marked graves were male soldiers who died in battle and women who died in child birth.

[@RictorIAG]

Also fun fact: They left no records. Everything we know about them was told by somebody else.

[@raynes6286]

@@RictorIAG Yeah, though we do have some fist hand accounts like those from Xenophon it’s a big shame there’s nothing right from any Spartiates. And while Xenophon lived in Sparta for some time you have to wonder what he was allowed to be privy to, and what he was shown. The guy was also obsessed with Sparta and surrounded by Spartans, can imagine he may have been a fair bit flattering!

[@mnomadvfx]

So women who birthed a dozen good soldiers got nothing? Seems a bit fucked.

[@mnomadvfx]

@@RictorIAG " Also fun fact: They left no records. Everything we know about them was told by somebody else. " In all likelihood simply because they put almost no effort into management and trade, which is often why written language evolves in the first place in order to record such things.

[@jojojo503]

@@mnomadvfx It's about the sacrifice not the birth

[@FredrikHaugen]

What many forgets when they see the movie is that is not a recount of what is happening. It's told by Dilios, not to be an exact account of the event but to vilify the enemy and rise the Spartans bravery to epic proportions. It's a story to strengthen the hearts of the Greek soldiers in the battle to come as told by a master wordsmith.

[@johnfriday5169]

Dilios is never one to let the truth get in the way of a good story. And he's been retelling the story for about a year. Each time Xerxes gets a little taller, the rino gets a little bigger, the immortals get a little scarier and so forth.

[@TheMule71]

This. The whole movie is literally his motivational speech. So not only the movie needs not to be accurate being based on a comic book, but even within the context of the story, it's not meant to be accurate as it's meant to be epic and inspiring.

[@duanevp]

In short, he's an unreliable narrator.

[@FredrikHaugen]

@@duanevp Not unreliable per se, just fitting the narrative for the occasion, enhancing plot points and adjusting the pacing to get the desired effect. Like any good storyteller.

[@FredrikHaugen]

@@tophers3756 I see it more as a metastory about a them telling a story about a storyteller telling a story. Seeing it as philosophical propaganda is rather far reaching. That would might be the case if you cut out Dilios altogether. But as we see he tells the story how he saw it and needed to tell it. Miller comes from a comic view of telling a story that appealed Znyders esthetics to make the movie.

[@angellopez3202]

I wonder if they had any idea that the line "This is Sparta!" would be so iconic in pop culture lol

[@JamesVSCinema]

With how it was delivered, I’d say it’s a possible yes!

[@Zerbijan]

@@JamesVSCinema heres your answer to this question twitter.com/spoki83/status/1166418101635866624?s=21

[@rdramos13]

As well as facial beards...everyone is still trying to have that perfect beard.

[@ppd9078]

Wonder how many different takes they made Gerard do to get the perfect one

[@Desertpuma]

It is so iconic that Gerard Butler has shown up at Michigan State University to lead their teams in a "This is Spartan!" chant because their sports teams are the Spartans

[@d.balbosa5936]

Both Zack Snyder and Tyrone Magnus would be proud that you noticed the "cape flappin' " hahaha

[@gonzo6489]

I heard him say it then came down to the comments lol. "I see you're a man of culture as well."

[@d.balbosa5936]

@@gonzo6489 oh yea haha gotta respect the cape flap bro

[@grunt9950]

Haha as soon as he said that I smiled.

[@jbauer140]

I think Snyder got the Man of Steel movie just for the cape flap lmao! Epic

[@matimus100]

👆🤡

[@grantterlecky1248]

Gotta love Michael Fassbender smiling at the possibility of an Honorable death

[@JamesVSCinema]

Damn straight!

[@richardrobbin2225]

That smile, That's why they used to call him The Shark 🦈

[@dmanslovesCOB]

My favorite part about when people complain that it's not historically accurate is because it isnt supposed to be... it's a story told by the narrator its embellished, in the beginning the hellwolf leonidas kills was just a normal wolf, what was probably 100,000 persians at most is now millions, what was a normal man is now a 8ft golden "godking" and what was possibly just a horse with armour is now a rhino. You can't take anything he says as fact and that's what makes it so interesting.

[@JamesVSCinema]

You get the point 🙏🏽

[@micheleduritto]

@@tophers3756 🤦‍♂️

[@micheleduritto]

of course that was the intention....even if some people think this is just a cop out from the people that enjoyed the movie....... and you know why that is suppose to be this way? because that's how the battle of Termopilis was told to us throughout history , every greek historians told the story slightly differently, for example, Herodotos (the first and most famous greek historian that wrote about this story) wrote that the persian army had 2.6 millions soldiers, while other greek historians told other numbers ranging from 4 millions to 800 000 (and btw even most of the modern historians give the Persian army a minimum of 150 000 soldiers for that battle).

[@jonlandin2440]

One thing they do not mention is that the actual Leoneidas was 60 years old at this battle. Shows what the human body is capable of, if nothing else. All Spartans served active until 30 and as reeerves until 60.

[@transsylvanian9100]

@@jonlandin2440 They also don't mention that Sparta was a horrible slave society where the Spartans were outnumbered easily ten to one and only maintained power through extreme cruelty and brutality. By comparison the Persian empire was a tolerant, cosmopolitan utopia and honestly Persian conquest would have been preferable for 90% of the population to life under the psychopathic Spartans' tyranny.

[@mikeparkinson766]

As others have said, it's a film of a comic of an actual historical event. It's heavily stylised and over the top, but I think that really works in it's favour. The Greeks had a strong oral tradition - stories were told time over time, passed on, revised, embellished and exaggerated. So while the story is clearly not historically accurate, the way the narrator is telling is it is a (weirdly) accurate representation of ancient Greek culture.

[@odmblogs]

Except for the part where the Spartans were actually the ones with slaves and the Persians had abolished slavery

[@DerekScottOHara]

@@odmblogs BS. No ancient cultures abolished slaves.

[@odmblogs]

@@DerekScottOHara it is believed that Cyrus the Great founder of the Persian Empire banned slavery, wether it was properly enforced that's another debate but it is said he outlawed slavery. Also, Zoroastrianism, their religion, technically outlaws slavery but that's another discussion in whether the followers of the religion followed that doctrine.

[@silvershadow4297]

@@odmblogs Persia(Iran) abolished slavery in 1928 lmao

[@mandalore1089]

​@@silvershadow4297 There are several thousand years between the battle of Thermopylae and 1928...

[@satortenet]

Drinking game: Take a sip every time James says "this is a beautiful shot".

[@procrastinator99]

Each time he says it, he's not wrong, though. :)

[@AeonAxisProductions]

*sid from ice age* "no thanks i choose life"

[@MeesdeFilmliefhebber]

You could visit Nasser's channel and be completely intoxicated afterwards :p

[@JmAnYoShI]

Fun fact: the take they used for the "this is Sparta" line was a result of multiple takes that Gerard was unhappy with. It was meant to be a calm, quiet line, but eventually Gerard Butler decided to just scream at the top of his lungs the way you saw. Right after he screamed it, he looked at Zac Snyder and asked if it was a bit over the top, to which Zac said "yeah, but it was awesome!"

[@a.f.ffilms1620]

They were all laughing when he did the iconic line

[@arlaghdoth4434]

Back when Snyder still had it.

[@Mike_v_E]

@@arlaghdoth4434 wtf is the point to respond with this to the comment?

[@arlaghdoth4434]

@@Mike_v_E Because I think current Zack Snyder wouldn't accept those changes, man's become a boring as hell director with time.

[@kino_verite]

I dig Zack haha

[@greyd.99xsome]

Zac Snyder used slow motion to reimagine the panels of the comic and managed to make a movie out of it. It's outright art.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

It works just if you didn't read the comic. When I watched the movie I cringed during some parts, because Snyder did every shot like every vignette in the comic... exactly the same way, same blocking, same colouring, same lightning... He didn't reimagine the comic, he copied it

[@duvan-solis]

@@JulioLeonFandinho at the end it is an adaptation, it did what it had to.

[@piotrswat169]

@@JulioLeonFandinho wow adaptation that's loyal to the source is bad it's a copy?So it would be better if some strong females were there with them holding their own or maybe a drag show in the middle of this epic battle?This movie is as good as Jacksons LOTR it's such a slave to the source which is and will always be a GOOD THING.

[@JulioLeonFandinho]

@@piotrswat169 When you make a movie from a comic and your idea is to copy every panel from the comic it's CRAP, because the differences between a comic and a movie exists... Snyder did the same with Watchmen which it's also a bad movie and a crap adaptation. You talk about LOTR, those are good adaptations, much better ones, Jackson left out all the elements that could damage the storytelling and rythm in cinema and still told the important. Snyder, because he's a fanboy, tries to copy his source, but when he finds a difficulty he started to mess everything up. He did it in 300 when the movie becomes a fucking video game, he did the same in Watchmen, in which simplifies everything and makes the original story childish and ambiguous (but hey, never renounce to freaking slow motion)... he did it in Batman vs Superman which is a complete failure in every aspect... And I don't not even like that much LOTR, the book is tedious and I never ended reading it to the end and the movies had cringe moments and Jackson sometimes messes up things too... but don't ever compare Snyder, who has the artistic personality of a crab, with the effort of Jackson reimagining quite originally a very elaborated and fictional world.

[@Dan_Kanerva]

@@JulioLeonFandinho we are talking about 300 superhumans overpowering entire armies , not a plot like Breaking Bad... There is no need for "le super complex and realistic" storytelling . There is a reason why this one and Watchmen is considered the best works of Snyder . Because instead of trying to appear overly complex , they just give the raw feeling of what the comic is . A violent and epic story meant to hype you up and give hope.

[@shaftpunk84]

Seeing this in theaters back in the day was def an experience.

[@themetalpig7613]

It's interesting to note that 2 of the most stylish movies, Sin City and 300, were both based on comic books by Frank Miller...and both quite faithful to the source material too. For example; when they drive the soldiers off the cliff, that shot is lifted right from the comic, the front cover on some editions I think. And the amount of shots in Sin City that are replicas of the comic is quite surprising.

[@JamesVSCinema]

That is super badass!

[@scottalynch]

James, if you get a moment, check out the 300 & Sin City graphic novels. You will see that they both are essentially story boards for the films

[@sentenced03]

and also both of them had very disappointing sequels lol.

[@grunt9950]

@@sentenced03 a shame, but true.

[@FredrikHaugen]

If your able to get it, read his take on Daredevil. It could almost read as a storyboard for a movie.

[@boscoreacts3131]

I went to see this one in the theater back in 2006 with my friends, that's how I fell in love with Zack Snyder's directing 🖤🖤 i know this is an unpopular opinion but this movie is a masterpiece in singularity

[@JamesVSCinema]

I wouldn’t argue against that. It’s truly a beautiful film. Like a play with moving backgrounds

[@Mortismors]

This movie never changes, after multiple viewings it is that good that it is always good. Sucker Punch is a weird Snyder film that changes and is different every time you watch it.

[@tynao2029]

i knew zack was the new thing since 2004's Dotd remake

[@alaneskew2664]

Honestly and this is my opinion but I think that this movie is one of the greatest action movies ever made

[@carolinedunn295]

Loved hearing your comments on Snyder. Whether you love him or dislike him, his vision is apparent and he sticks with that style and craft consistently and unapologetically.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Exactly, people who go as far as to take things to the extreme are always really weird to me. I respect what he does because he’s a creator

[@hossbonaventure_ceo6693]

@@wfly81 stupidest thing I ever heard, Frank Miller made A graphic Novel, Snyder translated a Graphic novel imagery to Film, completely different formats, so disingenuous on your part, translating it to film language is a complete achievement

[@richardrobbin2225]

Yes, that's Cersei, Also played Ma in Dredd.

[@kb104]

and Sarah Connor in The Sarah Connor Chronicles

[@meghanmonroe]

Lena Headey is such a boss.

[@AlexandriPatris]

The primary reason the Spartans were able to hold out for so long was the terrain. They were defending a choke point where a limited number of enemies could attack them at any one time. If they were out in the open and surrounded, they probably would have been finished off pretty quickly.

[@user-zp4ge3yp2o]

That explains why they held the phalanx for about 15 seconds before someone realised 'Hey we can't see their rippling abs if they're all hiding behind shields'

[@ambrosiogiovanni6952]

I mean, that was the greatest weakness of the phalanx formation. That's why the Macedonians invested in a very good cavalry, so they could protect the flanks of their pikemen and use the hammer and anvil tactics.

[@Itwasalwaysme_Noone]

That's what the wolf taught Leonidas

[@dgrmn12345]

@@ambrosiogiovanni6952 not to mention that the Macedonians improved the phalanx using pikes that were longer than hoplite spears. Enabling a spear wall of 5 or more layers that could hold off against larger forces

[@KotoRyu]

This is true, but they also did not fight naked. They had pretty severe armor. Helmets, armguards, shinguards, breastplates, and those big ass shields. Counts for something during normal combat, and it counts for a lot more when you're defending a chokepoint. The generally accepted historic view of this fight is that the greeks lost maybe like fifty people during two days of fighting, and killed like 18,000 persians. Third day they got surrounded and fucked, though.

[@lordmortarius538]

The thing to remember about this film is that it's basically the story of Thermopylae as told by Dilios after he returns to Sparta, thus it is embellished to make the enemy seem larger than life to fire up the warriors at home. All good storytellers do this, if he told it the way it really was it'd be a lot more boring :P The Spartans were also infamous for their laconic turn of phrase (which is actually named for the region Sparta is located in, Laconia). When Philip II of Macedon was conquering Greece, he sent a message to Sparta asking if he should come as friend or foe, the Spartans responded with "Neither." Frustrated, Philip sent another message: "If I invade Laconia, I shall turn you out." The Spartans replied again with a single word: *If* The reason the Immortals were called such is because, as the professional corps of the Persian army, they were a heavy infantry regiment of exactly 10,000 men. Their custom was that every killed, seriously wounded, or sick member was immediately replaced with a new one, maintaining the illusion that it doesn't matter if you kill them, their strength is undiminished. They wore the helms to hide their faces to add to this idea.

[@darkmafia666]

did you know these facts? or pull from fact fiend?

[@lordmortarius538]

@@darkmafia666 I don't know what that is. I'm educated.

[@Weirduniverse2]

i saw this in the theatre - i didn't know movies like this could even exist!

[@CaraVerde]

That movie is like a wet dream to anyone who studies photography/painting/artistic principles. My God, it's a masterpiece 🙈😍

[@marleyjr00]

I just love the way this movie looks visually. Its like an old Spartan warrior is telling a story and that's what itd look like in your mind. Now I know the famous "This is Sparta!!!" Is awesome af but my fave line is when the Persian general tells the Spartans to lay down their weapons and they're like "Come and take em". Exactly what I say to the feds.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hahaha that last line!

[@sentenced03]

thats how i always saw it, the narrator is embellishing in order to get the rest of sparta to fight so accurate? no... but entertaining and rousing hell yes.

[@Mortismors]

Historically it was Leonidas who said Molon Labe when told to throw down their spears.

[@uncommonman]

@@JamesVSCinema A perfect representation of Spartan character. As Philip II of Macedon was conquering Greek city-states left and right, Sparta was left alone. Philip had achieved a crushing victory, and Sparta was relatively weak and without walls. Philip sent a message to the Spartans saying “If I invade Lakonia you will be destroyed, never to rise again.” The Spartans replied with one word, “If.”

[@SoupDragonish]

"Come and take them" is a historically recorded Spartan saying, as are many of the othe quips in the film such as "then we shall fight in the shade". It is also the motto of an elite modern Greek SF regement. The Spartans called themselves Laconians which is why they have Lambda on their shields in the film. From this we get laconic humour, which is the other thing the Spartans are famous for.

[@AlejandroFlores-vi8tl]

I love the fact that the one liners are historical accurate but disappointed they didn't include a line said by a spartan king when asked where sparta's borders were, he responded by pointing a spear at the man asking and said "as far as this spear can reach"

[@MrOneFaces]

The movie is about a comic about the real historical war. Of course a lot of things happened different in real life. The Spartan King dismissed most of the army and formed a rear-guard of around 1,500 men, including his 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 400 Thebans and a few hundred others, many of them slaves (funny cause here it is shown Persia having slaves, when in real life they didn't) . They were wiped out but this sacrifice allowed the bulk of the army to retreat and regroup. But still, the movie is absolutely fantastic.

[@TheGavrael]

Not sure where you got the info that Persia didn't have slaves. But yes, this represented an important battle in the war quite stylistically. The Greek side is where the heavy lifting was done though. 300 Rise of an Empire tries to show that but that film is much worse than this one.

[@glassfireactual9207]

Spartans. This even was an anomaly. And Sparta capitalized on it. Sparta was better known for its policies, strategic advisors, and many other things, - but not as warriors.

[@davidmedia3134]

@@TheGavrael The first Persian empire, the Achaemenid was perhaps the most progressive empire at the time, not only were they first great empire to introduce local government but also to respect culture and tradition of their different territories. The Achaemenids did have slaves, but the laws inside the kingdom regarding slaves were way more progressive than those in Greece and the rest of the west for that matter, for example, although you might have had a slave for domestic labor, you had to pay a wage, pay for retirement and you were not allowed to whip or mistreat your slaves inside the kingdom or you would be prosecuted.

[@coyotefire69420]

@@TheGavrael You should listen to Hardcore History: King of Kings by Dan Carlin.

[@ODHarding]

i was just gonna say the spartans were pro slavery and anti democracy, the Persians where anti slavery and pro democracy

[@CertifiedSunset]

This film just oozes aesthetic, it's so easy to rewatch years later and appreciate the art in motion.

[@thanasisv190]

"Set in Roman times" PAIN.

[@WingatesHellsing42]

Fun fact: The action shot from 11:30 in this video, with all the zooming and speed ramps, was achieved using multiple high speed cameras at different focal lengths and blending between them in order to create the camera movements. This is because it would be impossible to manually do these movements accurately enough to hold up in slow motion, even with motion control for the cameras the actors would still have to be so perfect in their timing and marks that it wouldn't be nearly as good.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Yup! I saw the making of it afterwards!

[@PabloJAlejandroJR]

The most chilling scream from a man i have ever heard was when they killed my mans son. I know he is acting but damn i felt it. As a dad i cant imagine the rage and pain i would feel, but that scream, summed it up.

[@TheStranger513]

I heard a similar scream a few years back at this warehouse where this guy got his hand caught in the ramp for the delivery trucks. His hand recovered but the same sound can be duplicated lol.

[@dgrmn12345]

FUN FACT: Not only were Spartans trained to test their mettle in battle, but also in words. Namely using as few words as possible in exchange resulting in witty one liners in response to insults, challenges, or conversations. This coined the term 'Laconic Speech' and is shown a lot in this film. My favorite is when Alexander the Great's Father, Philip II, told the Spartans, "“If I invade Lakonia you will be destroyed, never to rise again.” The Spartans replied with one word, “If.”

[@twoohhunoh]

What a fantastic reaction, this was everything I wanted out of a reaction to this movie. You're very well spoken too. Very imaginative and expanded and knowledgeable vernacular. I found it entertaining seeing how you would describe your feelings at the moment and not even repeat the same expression. You're clearly knowledgeable in film so this was clearly a treat for you to watch! Definitely subscribing!

[@CrippledMerc]

Omg. You mentioned the Jabbawockeez and now I can’t stop imagining a group dance battle between the Jabbawockeez dressed as immortals and another group dressed as Spartans. That’d be one hell of a themed dance battle, and it’d be epic! I want it to happen.

[@theedgeinshow]

This might be the best action movie I've ever seen, visually.

[@franciscoramirez4179]

DUDE I JUST GOT TO SAY THAT YOU'RE MY FAVORITE MOVIE REACTION PERSON! I CAN TELL YOUR LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE FOR MOVIES AND IS JUST A REALLY ENTERTAINING, THUMBS WAY UP MY GOOD MAN!👍👍👍 KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! 👍

[@KenBiggs]

I love how the spartan women are respected just as much as the men. Spartans in general go hard

[@JamesVSCinema]

Damn right!!

[@yvonnesanders4308]

Everyone did

[@Andrew-ve9ls]

I absolutely love everything about this movie, great reaction btw i appreciate you showing all the important scenes 👍

[@crigarsha]

Interesting fact about the workout all the actors did to get "300 ripped", it consisted of the following 6 exercises, 50 reps, done while timed: 25 pull-ups, 50 deadlifts (135 lbs), 50 push-ups, 50 box jumps (24" box), 50 "floor wipes" (core & shoulder exercise @ 135lbs), 50 clean & presses (36 lbs kettlebell), 25 more pull-ups The actor who completed the workout the fastest, Andrew Pleavin (he played the bald, greek, pottery dude in charge of the NON-spartans) finished in 18 minutes, 11 seconds! Such an EPIC movie, great review! Love your commentary and insight as always! Enjoy your vacation! AROOOOOOOOOO!!!!

[@user-vu6bo2mm7o]

All of slow-mo scenes remind me of side-pictures from ancient greece amphoras. It is perfect decision. Great camera shots in scenes of cliff throwing, "this is Sparta" and last spear throwing/flight/piercing xerx. Even Persian king is huge as it was pictured on ancient frescs. Love this movie so much

[@Deyone_Jackson]

I remember an interview with Gerald Butler when he talked about that slow mo scene of the first battle. He said they had a stuntman who should've done it but he and the stuntman talked about letting Gerald do it, to see how it's gonna be. He said he took a break or something to meditate a little for it and when they started filming he felt like Leonidas himself was in his body doing the moves, it just happened how it happened and it looked so awesome that they kept it the way it was done.

[@traceyreid4585]

You are just the most chill person in my universe... glad I stumbled upon your channel during lockdowns. Peace to you and yours and thanks for the continuing content and reactions 🙏

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s love, wow thank you for that Tracey!

[@marsivnayr]

Legit one of my favorite films of all time. For everything you stated and more. Zack is my personal favorite director; possibly, and mostly, because his films are unapologetically distinctive from everything else I watch. His films are utterly unique experiences for me. Glad you enjoyed this one so much. Keep up the great content! You’re knocking this channel outta the park!

[@KS-xk2so]

What I love about Leonidas' death is that it follows his priorities perfectly. He's a King first, warrior second, and a man third. He achieves his aims for his country, being a sacrifice to rally Greece behind, satisfying number 1, then is mortally wounded in battle, satisfying number 2.... then while he lays dying is when he finally thinks about his wife and love, before the end.

[@AliMarie022]

I am loving your selections! I started watching your videos as a kind of background thing while working, but it didn't take long before i had to quit that plan because I love hearing your observations and didn't get a lot of work done 😂

[@Ethan-yz6tj]

defiantly need to check out watchmen 2009

[@Drumpro31]

that movie was way ahead of its time. i think it would have been better received today then in 2009

[@youknow12341000]

“Watch these movies all the way through, don’t be lazy” is kind of a hilarious line James 😂

[@JamesVSCinema]

😂😂😂 glad you got a kick out of that

[@brettg274]

“It has a comic book aesthetic” Cuz the storyboard for the movie is the Frank Miller comic book “300”, just like “Sin City”. Miller only approves his books to become movies if they stick to his art and story, he often retains creative control IIRC. BTW, some of the dialogue is actual recorded lines from history. Spartans prided themselves on their wit and repartee as much as their battle skills, their tongues were as sharp as their swords.

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s awesome!

[@grunt9950]

"Come and take them" (talking about their weapons to the Persians) is a most famous example.

[@nuclearpiez2986]

molon labe

[@brettg274]

“Then we shall fight in the shade” is another. Also the words the narrator speaks at the end about “go tell the Spartans, passerby” are the inscription that marks the spot in Thermopylae where the battle took place. I forget how old it is, but it’s very old IIRC. Part of the area has slipped into the sea over the millennia, or is covered by high tide. A lesser told part of the story is an strategically amazing naval battle occurring simultaneously to keep the Persians from sailing around the coastline, led by Athens IIRC.

[@felixfungle-bung4688]

Frank Miller said most of his comics are based on large vertical city scapes because they fit perfectly with the standard comicbook page format. He wanted to draw a comic with large horizontal land scapes like open fields so each page is a double page spread. It fits awkwardly on my shelf but I love his outside the box thinking using the page layout to enhance the story and showcase his illustrations.

[@PrettySaditty1920]

I took my dad to see this in theaters the day it came out...truly a bonding experience. One of the most cinematically and artistically beautiful movies I've ever seen. My fave

[@SolidSnake240]

I remember going to see this at the theater with my pops and we were both going crazy over the fight scenes. I teared up at the end, for a then 13-14 year old that says alot about the acting and writing to pull those emotions out.

[@marmaladevenus3230]

Seeing this in theaters was an absolute experience. I'm glad that all these years later the film has aged like a fine wine, where some of the Snyderesque films haven't.

[@ballache5171]

Based on historical events, exaggerated to all hell. Love it.

[@r2n749]

I'm going to Cancun next week!! Thanks for reacting, this was great!

[@jimtatro6550]

This and Sin City are the two best graphic novel films ever.

[@system0fadowner251]

Watchmen is my personal favorite and still Zack Snyders best work imo.

[@logankerlee]

Dude I'm beyond stoked that you got around to watching this! This movie was huge for me as a kid. OBVIOUSLY isn't a kid's movie but that didn't stop me from seeing it. hahaha, one of my faves for sure. If I'm ever feeling the need for brutal quick violence with an awesome story, I'll put this on. :) Looking forward to future reactions!

[@slashing7843]

Fun fact: Why the persians look like monsters was because the story was being told by the spartans that fought in the battle. To boost morale for the spartans.

[@livingphantom]

The way they shot the long running scene with the multiple perspectives was awesome, they essentially had 3 cameras at different focal lengths all filming at the same time and then they stitched all the shots together. Such a genius idea.

[@branchsnapper2228]

‘These shots are wallpaper’ never a truer word said bud.

[@sorscha1308]

Yes, that is Lena Heady (Cercei in GoT) pre-Got and i think around the same time as The Sarah Connor Chronicles. This is a hell of an ensemble cast actually.

[@DaimonAnimations]

Di- Did you said Roman times? xD OML!

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

Subscribed. Old white lady here. Love you. Love your love of films. Loved watching your reaction to Edge of Tomorrow as well (one of my all time favorites). This film is just.... art. The work that went into it (not to mention the crazy workouts that Gerard and cast needed to do to look like that!) had to be epic as well.

[@JamesVSCinema]

Thank you so much 🙏🏽

[@CM_87]

The first time Leonidas and Xerxes meet each other, you see the persian subjects are used as stairs to descend and enslave more. The last time they meet, Leionidas uses himself as support for his soldier to ascend and strike at the enslavers.

[@redsnorlax1945]

Easily One of the most underrated scripts of all time

[@FloeticsPH]

Historically Accurate? 50-50. Testosterone Level? 100%!

[@JamesVSCinema]

😂

[@Crissy_the_wonder]

50-50 is generous, but it is a comic book on screen, not a documentary

[@FloeticsPH]

@@Crissy_the_wonder I know, what I meant by 50-50 is more like a "Meh", guess I should have put that instead of "50-50" but I needed some type of Number value to accommodate the "100%" but u right.

[@jgarcia4721]

My favorite scene is when he tells the traitor, "May you live forever" What an epic curse!

[@pelopidasalexis6943]

Yeap, and he did, Efialtis (his name) means "nightmare" in Greek.

[@CaraVerde]

Yeah... To the people who think the death in battle as the most glorious achievement they can get in their life, the "may you live forever" is the ultimate insult.

[@antonm_]

16:35 When the "big Lord of the Rings dude" kicks an actual Lord of the Rings dude 😅

[@shuriken4852]

Zack Snyder is one of the best visual storyteller ever. To me when he gets in trouble is when he tries to go for deep psychology of characters, his problem is he doesn't know his limitations. If he would play to his strengths, he could be one of the greatest action director ever.

[@steezeRNG]

How good was this, James?! Such a beautifully shot film, straight from the pages onto the screen for sure

[@leroyjenkins4115]

I've watched several of your reactions now, but "These shots are wallpaper," got the subscribe. We definitely have the same taste in movies. Lovin your stuff!

[@Maelstrom2999]

Don't know if alot of people know this but this movie was Michael Fassbender's feature film debut. And what a debut it was.

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

I went to the Montreal premiere of the movie at the Scotiabank cinema downtown and I'll always remember how nuts the crowd went over this movie.

[@sansy44100]

That movie blew my mind when I saw it in the theater. Still one of my favorites.

[@JamesVSCinema]

It’s beyond epic!

[@nkxseal8398]

I still get chills at that last scene, so epic.

[@bernardqblack]

He nailed the graphic novel shot for shot.

[@loganfisher3431]

"It's an honor to die at your side." "It's an honor to have lived at yours." Misty eyes every time.

[@joeybossolo7]

Spartans were renowned for their witty verbal comebacks. Our modem term of a “laconic phrase,” a phrase that is especially concise and blunt, is actually named after Laconia, the Greek region where Sparta was located. The Athenian philosopher Plato wrote, “If you talk to any ordinary Spartan, he seems to be stupid, but eventually, like an expert marksman, he shoots in some brief remark that proves you to be only a child.” When King Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great) invaded southern Greece, he sent a message to the Spartans asking if he would be received as a friend or enemy. The Spartans’ reply was brief: “Neither.” Offended, Philip sent a threat: “You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.” The Spartans’ reply was just as short as before: “If.” For the Spartans, humor was more than just entertainment. It taught them how to think on their feet, how to conserve resources by training them to be economical with their words, and encouraged camaraderie between the citizens.

[@Charsept]

I remember seeing this in the theater. So good.

[@TribulationGuild]

In 2006, I was a Junior in highschool, I was a nerd who loved comics, and my friends and I were all fans of heavy metal and action movies and fantasy, etc. So when we went into the theater and saw this, watching the most over-the-top stylistic action fight scenes with blasting heavy metal riffs behind them, we felt like this was a movie made specifically for us. I imagine that's just what a lot of young people felt, but that was the magic of it. It just hit such a resonant note because this movie was everything we were at the time. I think my friends and I saw it three times in theaters, and then had watch parties when it came out on DVD. And I think a lot of modern watchers miss that the reason every shot is so perfect, everything just feels like each frame is doing so much, is because Frank Miller was a genius with a pen. Every shot is ripped straight from his pages, and he doesn't get the credit he deserves, because this movie (and Sin City, and Watchmen) would never be what they were without the fantastic artwork from the books.

[@TalicZealot]

That absolutely is Lena Headey, who played Cersei and also Sarah Connor in the TV show.

[@kosmokenny]

The movie isnt very accurate historically, but its not supposed to be so not caring is the right answer. The whole concept of the movie was to be the tall tale of a survivor of the battle, rallying the remaining city states to join the war. The Greek forces present at Thermopylae were much larger than the movie depicted, and it wasnt looked at as a suicide mission. There were probably around 7,000 Greeks that fought against Xerxes army that was estimated at around 70,000 on the low end. It was a legitimate attempt to block the Persian invasion with the forces they could muster from the 1/10th of Greece that was willing to fight. Thermopylae is kind of in the middle of Greece, a strongly fortifiable position on the eastern coast. The northern half of Greece had largely already surrendered to Xerxes, and this was a battle of the remaining coalition to attempt to block the Persians from entering into the Attican peninsula. The Athenians used their navy to blockade the coast so Xerxes couldnt sail around the land forces of the Spartans and their Peloponnesian allies. They succeeded for the first two days, but a traitor did guide the Persians to a path around the Greek defenses. Once Leonidas found that out, he had half of his forces retreat and half of his forces to form a rear guard to stop the Persian cavalry from running down the retreating forces. Notably, the Theban contingent of about a thousand refused to retreat. That left about 4000 Greeks defending on the third day while 3000 retreated. Among those who retreated were 2 Spartans who were sent off because they had "disease of the eye" and couldnt fight blind. One of them turned back around and rejoined the battle and died, so the guy who didnt (Aristodemus, who is the one telling the story) was looked upon as a coward. After the defeat, the Greeks retreated to the Isthmus of Corinth, a narrow strip of land separating the Athenian dominated Attica region from the Spartan dominated Peloponnese region. The Persians sent their navy down there to go around the Greek army, but the Athenian navy destroyed them in quite the upset. Thats depicted in the 2nd 300 movie. Then the Persian army spent the winter marching around an evacuated Attica, burning down all the cities. The next spring, the Greek army marched out of the Peloponnese to retake Greece, and soundly defeated the rest of the Persian army, which is what is alluded to at the end of this movie. Of note there, Aristodemus fought with reckless abandon, charging out of the phalanx on his own to kill as many Persians as he could until they eventually killed him. That bravery got the black mark on his name removed, but earned him no honorifics because it was stupid and suicidal, and the Spartans valued the bravery more of someone who still valued their life than someone who fought having no regard for it.

[@micheleduritto]

Every greek historians has told the story slightly differently, for example, Herodotos (the first and most famous greek historian that wrote about this story) wrote that the persian army had 2.6 millions soldiers, while other old greek historians told other numbers ranging from 4 millions to 800 000 (and btw even most of the modern historians give the Persian army a minimum of 70 000 soldiers for that battle) while the Spartans were in fact 300 the other 6700 were from other greek cities.

[@09corey1981]

Thanks for the content James !

[@JamesVSCinema]

Of course!

[@xtldc]

A lot of people know that the term ‘spartan’ - meaning austere, no frills, stark - comes from how the Spartans lived, but a lesser known word ‘laconic’ - meaning to speak in a blunt or concise manner - comes from how they talked. The word is a reference to Laconia, a region of the Peloponnese peninsula, that had Sparta as its capital. A few great laconisms from history - During a campaign in southern Greece, Philip I of Macedon (Alexander the Great’s father) sent a letter to the Spartans asking if he should enter Sparta as friend or foe. Their reply was ‘Neither’ Flustered, Philip sent another message telling the Spartans ‘If I invade Laconia, you will be destroyed.’ He received another 1-word reply - ‘If’

[@peachfuzz3564]

One of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen

[@SFRJab]

i remember watching this movie in theaters with my pops, at the time this movie was nuts.

[@blackprix]

As a person of Greek heritage, I was taught very young by my parents and my grandmother about king Leonidas and his 300 Spartans! It wasn’t mythology it was Greek history. This movie shows the strength of the spartan warriors, with mythology mixed in. But the story is true and it gets to be told to young Greeks by their parents and their grandparents… It’s very powerful and it hits your heart and soul

[@bdsilduce]

One thing to consider, this movie is a story being told by a Spartan. That’s why a lot of the enemies and the council that denied him war are hideous or look like monsters, that’s how the Spartans thought of them. And why xerxes looked like a giant, because he was such a formidable enemy. Everything is a little exaggerated

[@JamesVSCinema]

Yup! Similar to Oral Tradition

[@baskervillebee6097]

David Wenham the narrator was Faramir in Lord of the Rings.

[@Kampyy531]

Love your channel and insight James, I’m an aspiring filmmaker and hope to be able to start making short films. Watching your content has confirmed a lot of my ideas and choices, much respect brother keep up the great work!

[@JamesVSCinema]

That’s really awesome to hear man! Hit my DM for questions Colin!

[@Kampyy531]

@@JamesVSCinema thanks a lot James, you’re the man!

[@delskioffskinov]

Well thank you for spending your holiday time with us and with an excellent movie! It's noted that you have shown that your subscribers mean something to you! Enjoy the rest of your holiday and again Thank You!

[@JamesVSCinema]

Hey that means a lot!! Thank you so much!

[@delskioffskinov]

@@JamesVSCinema You've earned your place on youtube with your reviews and reactions! your honest! I like your shit!

[@meadmaker4525]

Some movies try to tell a story. Some movies try to make a point. This movie was pure art. The visuals. The dialogue. Just epic perfection. The battle of Thermopylae did actually take place in 480 BC. King Leonidas of Sparta led an army comprised of ancient Greek city-states against the invading forces of Xerxes. The battle at "The Hot Gates" took place simultaneously with the naval battle of Artemisium, where the Greek navy, led by Athenian general Themistocles, fought to hold off Persian naval forces (the basis for the second 300 movie). The vastly outnumbered Greeks held off Xerxes' forces for several days, until they were betrayed by a local resident, Ephialtes, who showed the Persian army a path that led behind Greek forces. Leonidas knew they were being flanked and dismissed the bulk of the Greek army, while he and 300 Spartans, 700 Thespians, 900 Helots and 400 Thebans remained to cover their retreat. They all fought to the death, except for the Thebans, who mostly surrendered. Movies are fiction, meant to entertain, but this one at least holds to the rough template of what happened historically.

[@yourframedrop]

I adore this movie, and I adore Zack Snyder as a filmmaker. His style of storytelling is so unique and so effective for what he wants to achieve with his movies. There really aren't many directors with a voice as distincitve as Snyder's. With Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen and his Justice League he has crafted some extraordinary movies.

[@jamiehickman9468]

Speech at the end always gets me

[@Angel-Otk]

Watch the break dance battle from “meet the Spartans” bro you called it💀

[@patrickfoster8335]

I believe this battle slow mo shots are using two cameras side by side. One doing the slow mo the other doing normal. And then he speed ramped between them and matched it all up.

[@dumahim]

Sounds right. I think Corridor Digital covered it in one of their videos.

[@johnthorsson1515]

The Spartans didn’t have much of what we’d consider “formal” education. But one area they believed was important was dance. So their ability to move in battle as they did, makes some sense. The Spartans were also known for their quick wit. And we still recognize it to this day with the term Laconic speech. For instance, the line “then we’ll fight in the shade” was supposedly actually said. The reason the Spartans were such a fierce fighting force is they could actually train year round. In those days most armies were made up of farmers and such. And they only got battle experience in battle. The Spartans had a very big slave population to do their farming and everything for them. The phrase “Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, That here, obedient to their laws we lie.” is the actual inscription written on the monument to 300 at Thermopylae. Last bit of historical trivia: Leonidas actually died early in the battle the last day. And the Spartans and Persians fought over his body until the Spartans were all dead.

[@TriScorp]

that trippy underwater slo-mo thing is called "Wet for Dry" you do your best to avoid bubbles and often mess with the speed, Portishead - Only You video has a bunch of it and it's a really good video

[@JamesVSCinema]

Thanks for that info!!

[@TriScorp]

@@JamesVSCinema had the words the wrong way so edited the comment, ops. "Dry for Wet" is also a technique but reverse

[@6sKi6z6]

Every time I watch this movie or it's sequel (which is often) the only thing I think about is "Man, I need to do some more sit ups."

[@nathancollins1715]

3:35 Oof, "Roman times?" You're about 500 years off there, man. 😂 Love your content!

[@guymon82ify]

It's cool a few of those lines were actually said in real life in that battle.

[@dholley51492]

The narrator in actual history was ridiculed and shunned on his return. The Spartans thought he abandoned his king and his brothers, but at the battle of platea he was said to fight with such ferocity that no spartan would dare doubt his honor.

[@big2033]

This is Snyder's peak directorial moment by far!

[@edgeorge5889]

I watched this in the theater when it came out n when it was over I felt in my bones that every man in there wanted to fight! 💪