I agree that there are parallels with the current Iraq war/homeland security stuff. But I came away with the conclusion: Maybe if U.S./British governments weren't so weak, we'd demolish the enemy like these guys. To me it carries a very conservative message of "don't be a pussy", that came across nicely. Although I agree the plot is lame, I like a shift from the mostly liberal-minded films we see.
Problem is, in any conservative battle story, you need a hero/heros. I didn't think these guys were heros, just insanely good fighters that were brain-washed. Braveheart is the only conservative war film I have really been impressed by. Yeah 2.5 is a good rating. Long live sparta.
I understood the conservative message of "don't be a pussy," but given the context of Sparta, also understood it as satire of that sentiment. Know when you can and can't win.
I agree that the movie has a strong conservative message, which for me, is another negative against it. Especially when you consider that it was the Athenians, derided in this movie as philosphers and "boy fuckers" (even though Spartans did plenty of boy fucking themselves, and it don't get more homo-erotic than their battle uniforms), were the ones to ultimately win the war against Persia. The movie pushes a strong anti-politician and thinker, pro-warrior agenda, while ignoring the historical fact that it was the politicians and thinkers that wound up winning.
I think the army would've be smart to post recruitment officers outside of screenings for this, that's how fired up it gets about fighting.
True, but the Spartans did have pretty hot wives...
One day they'll make a war film carrying a conservative message that actually doesn't suck or makes sense in the context... It's pretty obvious that MASH is better than Patton, and Apocalypse Now & Full Metal Jacket are better than Platoon.
Not that I am a conservative thinker myself, but I like to see a variety. Conservatism in art is hard to come by.
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Problem is, in any conservative battle story, you need a hero/heros. I didn't think these guys were heros, just insanely good fighters that were brain-washed. Braveheart is the only conservative war film I have really been impressed by. Yeah 2.5 is a good rating. Long live sparta.
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I think the army would've be smart to post recruitment officers outside of screenings for this, that's how fired up it gets about fighting.
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One day they'll make a war film carrying a conservative message that actually doesn't suck or makes sense in the context... It's pretty obvious that MASH is better than Patton, and Apocalypse Now & Full Metal Jacket are better than Platoon.
Not that I am a conservative thinker myself, but I like to see a variety. Conservatism in art is hard to come by.
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