Our new hero is Zack Snyder. Not only is the lucky dude the lotto winner who gets to direct the upcoming graphic novel adaptation of Alan Moore’s The Watchmen, but he’s also the man behind the pop culture smash hit and one of our favorite films, Frank Miller’s ‘300.’
The ‘300’ is an epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) which assaults the screen with blood, thunder and awe in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive Persian army.
Zack Snyder used a ton of digital techniques to create a movie true to the graphic style nature of the story. He used multiple cameras for the fight scenes and blended them together digitally for that ‘zoom’ and slo-mo style which rocked us in the theater. When you go back to watch the film remember that there are not really much in the way of sets and locations. It was shot in a studio and the backgrounds and elements added in with a computer. Very impressive.
Snyder also gave the film a washed out, digital look to enhance to visuals which played real well in the digital theater we saw it in. If you have a nice wide screen TV and an HD-DVD player you’re gonna be in heaven watching this flick again.
The ‘300’ became one of the most talked about action films in years and smashed the box office with over $200 million (just in the U.S.!!) and has the distinction of being what we think is the biggest release to come out on all formats of DVD on July 31st.
Warner Bros. is bringing out the 2-disc set on Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, and regular DVD. Even though Warner supports the HD-DVD format they are taking a gamble and giving the Blu-Ray a copy with about half of the bonus stuff on the HD-DVD Combo disc.
We’ve got a list of all the HD-DVD combo features and let us tell you they kick some ass. You can :
BLUESCREEN PICTURE-IN-PICTURE VERSION: Director Zack Snyder Compares the Pre-CGI-Enhanced Version to the Finished Film
• ADDITIONAL SCENES of the Traitorous Hunchback and Never-Before-Seen Giant Warriors [in High Definition]
• FRANK MILLER’s Vision Realized on Film [in High Definition]
• 300 SPARTANS – FACT OR FICTION?: The Shocking Life of a Spartan Revealed [in High Definition]
• WHO WERE THE SPARTANS?: How the Actors Built Their Characters Based on Spartan Customs [in High Definition]
• WEBISODES: Go on Set with the Cast and Crew
• Exclusive to HD DVD Game Vengeance and Valor: Lead More Spartan Warriors into Battle Against Xerxes’ Forces and Test Your Combat-Hardened Knowledge of Tactics and Strategy
• PICK YOUR FAVORITE SCENES: Assemble Your Favorite Clips and Create Your Own Montage
• WEB-ENABLED FEATURES: Cool Mobile Downloads
For those of you that haven’t had a chance to catch the flick on the big screen (shame on you!) here’s the official studio press release to get you caught up:
“Burbank , CA , May 30, 2007 – Get ready for a cutting-edge, heart-pounding, visual masterpiece on July 31st when 300 arrives on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video. Based on the stylized graphic novel from icon Frank Miller ( Sin City ), 300 is an epic action-adventure about the 300 Spartan warriors led by the heroic King Leonidas who challenged Xerxes and his massive Persian army at the ancient Battle of Thermopylae. Facing insurmountable odds, they fought to the death to defend their honor and freedom, inspiring all of Greece to unite against the enemy.
From visionary filmmaker Zack Snyder (upcoming The Watchmen , Dawn of the Dead ), 300 combines stunning live action with virtual backgrounds and features spectacular performances from Gerard Butler ( The Phantom of the Opera, Reign of Fire ) , Lena Headey ( The Brothers Grimm, The Cave) David Wenham ( The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King ) and Rodrigo Santoro ( Love Actually, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle ). ”