I thought this was a fantastic film...but I was the only one in the cinema. Everyone there hated it!
I don't know what they were expecting form the director of Sin City but most thought it was a bit too much fantasy and not enough fact and historical accuracy.
I thought the rusty, golden haze they washed the film in worked really well, similar to the green haze you saw in the Matrix. The action was great and I left with that feeling that I used to get when watching Karate kid when I was about 7 or 8...I wanted to kick some ass!
I can see how this film has caused controversy in iran and other middle eastern countries as if you can't see past the fact it is not meant to be a historical account, all of Xerses horde are portrayed as sub-human tyrants hell bent on conquering and destruction. Seeing as he is quite a well known historical figure, making him out to be a strange camp, transexual type thing may have been a bit close to the bone for some. Personally i'm all for it!
I also like the narration. It was the guy who played Boromir in LOTR, perfectly suite to this kind of part.
All in all an excellent film, just try not to take it too seriously!
