Meet the Spartans (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

Dumb, raunchy comedy is a tired spoof attempt.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that plenty of teens will want to see this mindless spoof, even though (or perhaps because) it's riddled with gross-out humor fueled by swearing, bodily functions, offensive jokes, and cartoonish violence. Pop culture references -- and outright product placements -- are peppered throughout, too. We've seen it all before in films like Date Movie and Epic Movie, but it's possibly even less funny here.

Positive messages: The film delights in making fun of everything by playing up stereotypes or relying on crude language. A woman clearly sleeps around.

Violence: Plenty of cartoonish scenes that are violent nonetheless: A dog bites a man's testicles; a parent and child head-butt each other (in the name of teaching the boy how to be a warrior); a spear lances through a soldier while another charges and hits a rock face, plucking his eyes out; guns are shot, swords are drawn, and a man cracks his neck performing a break-dance move; blood oozes out of a man's face.

Sex: Ample cleavage and booty shots; lots of scenes with scantily clad men and women; plenty of sexual innuendoes, many of which are somewhat homophobic (a man discusses warfare in terms of "taking it from the behind," for example); a woman licks her lips while staring at men; she also gyrates in front of older men who throw money at her; humans and animals (sometimes both) are shown in sexual positions.

Language: Women are referred to as "hos" and "sluts," and there's the usual parade of "s--t," "damn," "a--hole," "b-tch" and more, as well as one bleeped "f--k."

Consumerism: At times the film feels like an endless stream of commercials for products like Coke, Nintendo Wii, Dentyne Ice, Gatorade, and more. One whole sequence plays out like a video game, Grand Theft Auto style. Mentions of TV shows (Ugly Betty, Heroes), films (James Bond), and video games.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A shot of Botox kills a man. Another man drinks a beverage thinking it's hard liquor -- but it's actually pee.

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What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about why Hollywood keeps churning out this type of movie. What makes them appealing to certain viewers? What part of the humor works (or doesn't)? Do you think anyone will find any of it funny decades from now, when half of the references will have been forgotten? Does any of it go too far? Are there better examples of spoofs?

What's the story?

From the directing team behind Date Movie and Epic Movie comes yet another spoof, this time of the "swords and sandals" genre. Using the stylized, over-the-top 300 as its "inspiration," this spastic, goofy comedy is set in Grecian times. The not-so-mighty King Leonidas (Sean Maguire) faces the threat of an attack from Xerxes (Ken Davitian) and his Persian army. His captain (Kevin Sorbo, spoofing himself) manages to round up a ragtag army who'll gladly step into a "battlefield" that requires them to "step up," hurl insults, and break dance, all in the name of Sparta. Good thing they're not required to do much else, since they don't appear to be too handy with the weapons.

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Aaron Seltzer, Jason Friedberg
Cast: Carmen Electra, Ken Davitian, Sean Maguire
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: January 25, 2008
DVD release: June 2, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: crude and sexual content throughout, language and some comic violence.

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

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Meet the Spartans (PG-13, 2008)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Meet the Spartans

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Movie Details

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Review Meet the Spartans

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Not too great.

THIS IS THE FUNNIEST SPOOF EVER!

AWFUL

worst movie ever

Hah!

Funnier Than Disaster Movie! But only by a little bit.

just for laughs!

From Spartan to Spoof

it's funny but it still sucks

commercial the movie

Rubbish don't just ignore it, try and destroy it!!!

And yet this isn't Frieberg and Seltzer's worst film... ugh...

alot of advertising and funny but some mature themes

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