This week’s dandy is &#8220300” (B), not one of the most mentally challenging films ever, but boy, is it a lot of fun.

This adaptation of a graphic novel by Frank Miller (the man behind &#8220Sin City”) is an orgy of blood, full of spectacular visuals that give the film a true comic book feel.

&#8220300” tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) is intent on leading his Spartans against the Persian empire, with hopes of thwarting the Persians’ plans to take control of his country.

The king is unable to get the approval of the high council, so he takes 300 of his finest soldiers into what is essentially a suicide mission, hoping to buy enough time to get his wife (Lena Headey) to persuade the council to join Leonidas in his fight against Persia.

The political story has drawn attention in some circles as being a masked form of pro-George W. Bush propaganda (which is utter hogwash). The fact of the matter is, the plot proves irrelevant – the main attraction is the stylized violence during the many battle sequences.

Director Zack Snyder, who did the entertaining remake of &#8220Dawn of the Dead,” stages one breathtaking sequence after another, and never lets silly obstacles like a plot get in the way.

The acting is pretty good for a film that could have probably gotten away with a completely computer-generated cast. Butler seems to be channeling Brian Blessed’s performance as Lord Vultan, the leader of the hawk men from &#8220Flash Gordon” – really sinking his teeth into a character that is so over the top, it practically leaps off the screen. Headey has the perfect balance of smarts and sexiness that makes her performance impressive as well.

&#8220300” isn’t up to the same level as &#8220Sin City,” but it is still quite entertaining. Fans of blood, gore and comic book violence won’t be disappointed.

&#8220300” is rated R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity and will be available on DVD on Tuesday.

– Sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton, whose own dreams of becoming a legendary dancer have only momentarily been set aside for the pursuit of journalism, can be reached for comment by e-mailing mcompton@bgdailynews.com.