Meet the Spartans
Dumb, raunchy comedy is a tired spoof attempt.
Parents say
Based on 13 reviews
Kids say
Based on 37 reviews
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Meet the Spartans
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
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 in Meet the Spartans.
Community Reviews
not a bad spoof
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And yet this isn't Frieberg and Seltzer's worst film... ugh...
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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?
This dismally unfunny comedy is mindless and riddled with gross-out humor. It's also chock full of pop culture references that will date themselves almost instantly and tons of offensive jokes, stereotypes, and cartoonish violence. Skip it and watch a worthy spoof like Airplane! or Spaceballs instead.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Hollywood keeps churning out movies like Meet the Spartans. 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 the stuff in this movie go too far? Are there better examples of spoofs?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 25, 2008
- On DVD or streaming: June 2, 2008
- Cast: Carmen Electra, Ken Davitian, Sean Maguire
- Directors: Aaron Seltzer, Jason Friedberg
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 90 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: crude and sexual content throughout, language and some comic violence.
- Last updated: February 28, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Young Frankenstein
Brooks' corniness still yields plenty of belly laughs.
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Airplane!
Rapid-fire spoof with sexual jokes and cartoon violence.
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Spaceballs
Goofy '80s parody has cursing, violence, innuendo.
For kids who love comedy
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