300 (2007)/Rise of an Empire (2014)

I just revisited 300 for the first time since seeing it in theaters. I loved it when I first saw it, being one my favorite nights hanging out with old friends I wouldn't get to see again for awhile. On the recent viewing, I like it, though I'm not too crazy about it and some bits don't quite work, such as narration that works in parts but in others is totally necessary (like describing Artemis' bloody rage over the death of his son, even though we're seeing it right there!). Still I enjoyed revisiting it and it really took me back to this particular time in comic book adaptations, before there was a proven formula with Nolan's style and Marvel Studios. I remember being very surprised by how great 300 did on its opening weekend that a lot of comic book fans used it as an example of when a studio gets it right and it pays off, especially when using the unspectacular opening of the comic-unfriendly SUPERMAN RETURNS for comparison. An R-rated adaptation of a lesser known comic book doing better than a Superman film? OUCH. Even back then Snyder was suggested by many to replace Singer for the next Supes gig, a good six years before we finally get that in MOS.

As for RISE OF AN EMPIRE, haven't gotten around to that yet. I might this weekend though. I've heard good things from more folks I trust, but of course the critics are being their usual anti-Snyder selves and badmouthing it. Whatever. It has Eva Green, so that's usually a sign of good things to come (except for DARK SHADOWS, eek).

James Stocks wrote:I remember being very surprised by how great 300 did on its opening weekend that a lot of comic book fans used it as an example of when a studio gets it right and it pays off, especially when using the unspectacular opening of the comic-unfriendly SUPERMAN RETURNS for comparison. An R-rated adaptation of a lesser known comic book doing better than a Superman film? OUCH. Even back then Snyder was suggested by many to replace Singer for the next Supes gig, a good six years before we finally get that in MOS.

I must've slept through that. The only time I remember seeing Snyder's name came up was in ridicule. Maybe suggesting Michael Bay as a Superman director was less politically correct but otherwise I don't remember Snyder ever being a popular choice. Bear in mind that the Apologists swarmed a lot of the obvious Superman pages so maybe I just wasn't hanging out in the right places back then.

Admittedly, I've hung around message boards that were more than lukewarm towards SR and embraced 300, so that's the impression my memory was left. I never noticed any real ridicule on Snyder until SUCKER PUNCH came out.

thecolorsblend wrote:I must've slept through that. The only time I remember seeing Snyder's name came up was in ridicule. Maybe suggesting Michael Bay as a Superman director was less politically correct but otherwise I don't remember Snyder ever being a popular choice. Bear in mind that the Apologists swarmed a lot of the obvious Superman pages so maybe I just wasn't hanging out in the right places back then.

*AHEM* SingersSupermanSucks Back In 2008