by Steve Jones

Created on: July 20, 2008

I know that this is rather an old issue by now, though I have just stumbled across the article now regarding '300' and it's apparent racism.

I went to watch the film with a good friend of mine who is an unashamed comic book 'Fan-boy' and has ranted to me for years regarding the genius of Frank Miller and, after watching the joyful romp that is Sin City I though 'Why the hell not'. I Sat own in my generically uncomfortable cinema chair with my smuggled in snacks and sat back to enjoy a violent journey through the world of light hearted entertainment.

I was sceptical at first as it seemed like another Hollywood cash in title. Sin City did well let's raid Frank Miller's back catalogue to make some serious cash. Not that I'm above that sort of think you understand, I'm about as highbrow as a bikini-line and the visual of the film was, as I expected rather reminiscent of Sin City. The highly shifted colours and green screen action, level of violence and dialogue that seemed lifted straight from Miller's head but still an enjoyable film.

However I most confess that I am one of those who find the film, not necessarily racist, rather too jingoistic for my particular taste. Again this is an old argument but I couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy with segregative undertones of the film, and I'm not just talking of the colour of peoples skin! Rather lines that were slipped in away from the action itself.

Most notably in the senate and the scenes away from the battle when they are discussing he legality of the war and how troops should be called back because of this, I'm not going to insult anyone by explaining the relevance of this argument in the basis of reality and an argument played out many times regarding the current war in Iraq. However there were certain lines that did strike me as odd. Queen Gorgo (Lena Heady) in her rabble rousing speech to the Senate utter words such as 'Don't let our troops dies in vain' now I'm sorry that that is probably not an accurate word for word quote but that did strike me a rather odd that this speech was a plea to have the people stand behind them and , in effect make them guilty enough to back the war. There was also a strong emphasis on this malignant invading force attacking, enveloping and destroying their way of life and the legality of the way should be ignored because of this, sound familiar? Which you could argue that is how that particular nation of people thought though you do have to ask yourself why would such a film with

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