Posted by
Evangeline on Sunday, March 18, 2007 9:17:51 PM
Before there was Hollywood, there was America. An America that faced any challenge, defied any odds, to “secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity” (U.S. Constitution).
The unexpected success of any film is news. The success of 300 in the U.S. coupled with a tepid response so far in Europe, raises questions.
Are moviegoers motivated by nostalgic yearning for a glorious past? Blood lust? A video game aesthetic? Or a deeply seated, dormant will to conquer that wakes anew in every challenged generation?
Some in the world see America as fat, lazy, corrupt, and ready to be toppled and picked clean. We give that impression, until seriously threatened.
Perhaps a line attributed to a Japanese admiral from the 1970 film TORA, TORA, TORA illustrates the point: “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”