Was planning a longer commentary on this film, but it's late, and there are leks to check tomorrow. So, to be brief:

We went because youngest son saw it Friday, and declared it to be "Great".

It ain't.

Good, sure. But not great.

Okay, so it's based upon a graphic novel. Hence the cartoonish effects of many special effects, and the whole film noire thing. Particularly the blood. If you liked Sin City, you'll probably love this film.

And if you're ever going to see it, yes, you should probably see it on the big screen. I suspect it won't impress so well on the small screen.

Let's see...

Brief, pleasant periods of female nudity. Nice, natural looking females. Enjoyed that. I suspect females and some males might enjoy the abundance of mostly unclad male bodies...

Enjoyed Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo, of course. Even though the queen turns out to be incredibly stupid.

Let's see... you let a Spartan coerce you into committing adultery, in the hopes of getting his support for raising an army to save the King's (your husband's) life.

But as soon as the deed is done, anyone knows the absolute last thing that man is going to want to see is your husband alive and coming home...

Dumb.

That's Greek tragedy, I assume. But still stupid.

I assume it a consequence of being made in the 21st century, but the gist of the fight and sacrifice protrayed in this film is supposed to be protecting freedom. In defiance of Delphian prophecy.

But if you see what Herodotus actually says about that prophecy, the Delphian oracle said Sparta would either lose their city or their king would die. So while this current film makes much about "free men" going to fight in defiance of prophecy, the truth, according to the historian of the age, was that the king sacrificed himself in compliance with the prophecy.

Probably not so heroic to American eyes.

Worked either way, though. Greece is still there.

You have to keep remembering... this is based on true history.

The wife's comment on the film?

She was bothered by the battle scenes, where blood was flying everywhere.

Yet the Greeks never got bloody.

So let me get this straight, I ask her as we pull up to the only stoplight on the drive home.

Your only complaint about this R-rated, bloody, graphic novel-inspired film...

Is that it isn't bloody enough?