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March 22, 2007

Movie Review

A Stereotype Among Men

While 300 provides mindless fun, ethnic portrayals hamper the movie

Story by: Lee Escobedo

The Shorthorn staff

I had been waiting like a geek for months for 300 to come out.

Ever since I saw the trailer online, I couldn’t wait to check out Frank Miller’s newest graphic novel adaptation.

Before going into it, I knew it was going to be gory and violent. That was a given, since it was based on a Miller novel.

I didn’t know, however, that the director would sublimely implant pervasive stereotypes throughout the film.

Take the main hero, King Leonidas, and his army of 300 bearded Abercrombie models.

They, of course, are depicted as honorable, loyal and able to justify any killing they partake in on the principle that the enemy is an evil spawned army.

That army was represented by just about every other non-white ethnicity available.

You had the Asian ninjas, the African savages and the bloodthirsty Middle-Eastern army.

Worst of all was King Xerxes, who looked like a nine foot tall RuPaul, equipped with enough piercings to pass as a guest on “The Jerry Springer Show.”

It should be noted that the movie doesn’t try to be overly ambitious or attempt to deliver any moral message.

This is a strictly entertaining film, and it does a great job of being just that. Visually, it’s stunning with a cinematography style that’s a huge upgrade over past attempts, such as Spawn or Mortal Kombat 2.

However, the movie does create binaries over what is manly and what is being a wimpy girlie man.

While this may have no effect on the general, intelligent movie-going audience, on underdeveloped teenage brains it might create dangerous stereotypes of different ethnicities and gender roles.

If a movie’s culture implications have no effect on your conscious then by all means drive to catch the next showing and scream, “Spartans!” at the top of your lungs.

I’ll be next door watching some indie film, giving my backside to a thespian.