There is no one exceptional cast member but the group works as a whole. Less like a collection of solo singers, their performances sound best as a choir. Spartan strength comes from the group and just as Spartan battle strategy, the actors of 300 work best when together. Each of the primary characters does have a personality, personal story and short interpersonal dramas. The character interactions are well written but they make up a minimal part of the story. Don't discount the characters back home either. Just when you count out Queen Gorgo, played by Lena Headey, she earns your respect. King Leonidas and Queen Gorgo's love story adds depth to both of the characters. A father and son story is loving and embattling.

I was disappointed that there is no context to the battle and little build up before the battle. King Xerxes of Persia had essentially taken over a large portion of the Asian continent, and parts of Europe and Africa. His army showed little mercy to the people who stood up to him, had no problem taking slaves, turning unwilling people into unwilling soldiers and killing people with reckless abandon. The threat of slavery and death was a real one, the battle of Thermopylae was important to every Spartan and Greek. In the movie when they speak of freedom, they aren't talking about the idea of freedom; they are talking about the physical bondage of slavery and the fear of death. I assume that the average movie go-er isn't well versed in ancient battle history. It would have been nice for director, writer Zack Snyder and writers Kurt Johnstad and Michael Gordon to fill in the audience of the true stakes.

300 is a movie going experience. If you want to understand ancient history through a film, 300 is the wrong movie. If when you see this movie you want to see a beautiful film with excellent battle scenes and unprecedented style, 300 is for you.