“300” is popular because it combines a classic narrative and a revolutionary technique. The story – related by an Ancient Greek for Ancient Greeks, mind you – is an invocation of a true myth: bloody, biased, sexual, exaggerated, and morally ambiguous. This myth is channeled by Miller and Snyder into lovingly constructed bursts of images and sounds – a modern take on the age-old act of storytelling.
It’s understandable why our country’s established cultural elite should wrinkle their noses at such unapologetically dark and unpretentious fare.
The kids, however, get it – and the kids are alright.
– Me.
(As written to the editors of TIME – who will never publish this, but may chuckle for a bit – minus a comma error)
In response to this (I usually like Corliss’ stuff, if only because I think he’s a cool writer, don’t know what happened here), and other assorted intellectuals. With a special shout-out to Comrade Che.
Natalia A. 
“It’s understandable why our country’s established cultural elite should wrinkle their noses at such unapologetically dark and unpretentious fare.”
Er, Natural Born Killers?
When will you admit that the main (and overwhelming) reason you liked the movie was because you were turned on by it?
PS Norbit was pretty popular with ‘the kids’ as well.
That’s why I liked it.
figures 🙂