You can feel the excitement on message boards throughout the Internet for the coming release of 300 on HD DVD. Over on the HomeTheaterShack, users have already ordered 300 and will be viewing it the day of its release.
300 is the latest Frank Miller graphic novel to be turned into a faithful film adaptation, viewed on the silver screen earlier this year. It loosely tells the story of how King Leonidas of Sparta held off a vastly superior force of world class soldiers of the Persian army. The Spartans knew they were destined to die in this battle, but needed to hold off the invaders long enough to let the rest of Greece (including Athens) get its defenses together. The tale is widely considered a turning point for democracy and other enlightened ideals attributed to western civilization. If the Spartans had not acted so selflessly, the classical Latin world and its many contributions may have never existed.
But don’t expect any heady philosophizing in the film 300. This is a bloody action film that paints Frank Miller's impressionistic vision of ancient Sparta. Light on meaningful dialogue, it is still an artistic achievement that raises the bar for digital cinematography, elevating it to fine art. The film will be released on HD DVD and Blu-ray formats on July 31st. But the catch is that HD DVD users are going to get a treat that the Blu-ray version will not include.
This will be the first time some of the interactive features promised of HD DVD are used. With 300, users will be able to rearrange scenes from the movie any way they wish. You will then be able to save your custom version of the film to a computer and share it with other users. Try doing that with your Blu-ray player - not with 300.
Think of the implications of a custom version of 300! You’ll be able to create a quick montage of bloody fatalities. You can throw in the Oracle scene featuring the most beautiful woman in Sparta for a quick break. Then back to the decapitations and other resourceful slayings scattered throughout the movie.