I saw 300 and loved it. VDH’s point about stylization notwithstanding, I was ready to hold my nose at the “comic book” side of this film. But Victor was right. The stylization worked very well, and didn’t feel at all embarrassing or superficial. There’s one thing I don’t quite agree with VDH on, though. I doubt it’s the Western good-guy vs. Eastern bad-guy theme that’s actually generating “liberal furor.” I think what’s really bugging folks is 300′s portrayal of anti-war types back home.

Here’s an excellent review by Cinnamon Stillwell that tracks very closely with the VDH view, concentrating on the good-guy/bad-guy issue and omitting any reference to portrayal of the anti-war folks as villains. But I still say it’s the latter theme that’s actually rousing liberal fury. No doubt, liberal critics are reluctant to grouse in a way that makes it seem like they’re identifying with the villains back home. But I suspect the multiculturalism complaint is largely a smokescreen for what’s really bugging folks.