🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer
- Genre: Comedy, Parody, Satire, Spoof
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 24min
- IMDb rating: 2.8/10 (113K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 2% (100 reviews)
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of barely-clad dudes kick celebrities down a hole while failing to be funny, proving that even Spartans can’t conquer bad writing.
🍿 Meet the Spartans: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Birth and Training of Leonidas
The movie begins with a humorous take on Spartan upbringing, depicting a Spartan elder inspecting babies. Leonidas is accepted for his exceptional physique, while others are rejected in comical ways. His childhood is filled with rigorous training, preparing him for kingship through bizarre and torturous methods, spoofing training montages from other films.
The Persian Threat and the Oracle’s Warning
Years later, King Leonidas is informed of the arrival of a Persian messenger demanding Sparta’s submission to Xerxes. Leonidas responds by kicking the messenger and his guards into a pit. Seeking guidance, Leonidas consults the Oracle, portrayed by Ugly Betty, who warns him that war will lead to his death. Despite the grim prophecy, Leonidas decides to face the Persians.
The Spartans’ Stand at Thermopylae
Leonidas gathers his army, but only 13 soldiers meet the stringent requirements. They march to Thermopylae, where they encounter a deformed Paris Hilton who informs them of a secret goat path. The Spartans face the Persian army in dance-offs and “Yo Momma” battles, managing to hold their own initially. Xerxes, impressed, attempts to bribe Leonidas, but the Spartan king refuses.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Leonidas (Sean Maguire): The dim-witted Spartan king who leads a small band of warriors against the Persian army while engaging in pop-culture parodies.
- Queen Margo (Carmen Electra): Leonidas’s bombshell wife who fights political battles in Sparta while her husband is at war.
- Xerxes (Ken Davitian): The obese Persian king who tries to conquer Sparta through bribery and unconventional warfare.
- Captain (Kevin Sorbo): Leonidas’s loyal and muscular captain who accompanies him on the mission against the Persians.
- Traitoro (Diedrich Bader): A corrupt Spartan politician who betrays Queen Margo’s efforts to send reinforcements to her husband.
- Dilio (Jareb Dauplaise): A Spartan warrior with ‘nice man boobs’ who becomes blind and later leads a misguided army.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Leonidas: “Tonight, we dine in hell! … with Paula Abdul!” – Leonidas’s twist on the famous line, adding a pop culture reference.
- Captain: “I’m gonna go Hercules on your ass!” – A comedic threat made by the Captain, referencing the legendary hero Hercules.
- Leonidas: “This is Sparta!… sort of.” – A self-aware joke acknowledging the low-budget and farcical nature of the movie.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $30,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $38,233,676
- Worldwide Gross: $85,897,593
💥 Meet the Spartans Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so ‘Meet the Spartans’ isn’t exactly a cinematic masterpiece. I went in expecting something silly, and it delivered…silliness. But honestly? I laughed a few times. The pop culture jokes were so bad they were good, and the exaggerated performances were kinda fun. I wouldn’t watch it again anytime soon, but it wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever seen. It’s one of those movies that’s good for a laugh and a ‘what did I just watch?’ moment. Perfect for a brain-dead night!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of broad, low-brow comedy”
- “Viewers who enjoy pop culture parodies”
- “Those looking for a short, undemanding movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor and sexual content”
- “Potentially offensive stereotypes”
- “Frequent use of slapstick violence”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Meet the Spartans is a lazy, unfunny parody that relies on outdated pop culture references and cheap gags, failing to deliver any genuine laughs.
- IMDB: “The only funny thing about Meet the Spartans is that it got made. Avoid this at all costs unless you’re into repetitive, cringe-worthy jokes and outdated pop culture references.
- Common Sense Media: “Meet the Spartans is a waste of time. The plot is nonexistent, the acting is terrible, and the jokes are childish and offensive. There are much better ways to spend your time and money.
Audience Reactions
Some viewers found the ridiculousness strangely amusing.: While critically panned, some viewers found the movie entertainingly bad.
Overall Consensus: A critically reviled spoof that some find so bad it’s almost good, but mostly just bad.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The entire movie was reportedly shot in just one week.”
- “Many of the jokes rely heavily on pop culture references that were relevant at the time of release (2008), including digs at celebrities like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, and TV shows like American Idol.”
- “The film is a parody primarily of ‘300,’ but it also incorporates elements from other movies, TV shows, commercials, and video games.”
🖥️ How to Watch Meet the Spartans?
As a parody film, ‘Meet the Spartans’ might be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check these streaming services for availability.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Meet the Spartans, you might like these similar films:
- Scary Movie (2000): A successful and influential parody film that set the stage for similar spoof movies.
- Epic Movie (2007): Another parody film by the same writers/directors, with a similar style of humor and pop culture references.
- Airplane! (1980): A classic spoof film that defined the genre with its fast-paced jokes and absurd situations, influencing later parodies.
- This is the End (2013): Features celebrities playing exaggerated versions of themselves in an apocalyptic scenario, similar to the celebrity parodies in ‘Meet the Spartans’.
🛒 Meet the Spartans Related Products
- 300 (Blu-ray): Own the film that Meet the Spartans so lovingly spoofs! Experience the epic original in glorious high definition. Stream from Amazon Prime
- Funko Pop! Movies: 300 – King Leonidas: A stylized collectible figure of King Leonidas, a must-have for fans of 300. Display this figure on your desk or shelf!
- Spartan Helmet Replica: Authentic-looking Spartan helmet replica. Perfect for display or cosplay, this helmet will make you feel like a true warrior. High-quality craftsmanship.
- This is Sparta! T-Shirt: Show your love for the movie with this classic quote T-shirt. Available in various sizes and colors, comfortable and stylish. Great gift for movie fans!
🎧 Soundtrack
Meet the Spartans features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘Meet the Spartans’ is not a sequel. It’s a standalone parody film that spoofs the movie ‘300’ and various aspects of pop culture.
The movie was written and directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, who are known for creating spoof films.
‘Meet the Spartans’ primarily parodies ‘300,’ but it also includes references and jokes about various other movies, TV shows, celebrities, and pop culture phenomena.
🔥 Bonus Content
Top 10 Worst Parody Movies
Ever wondered if ‘Meet the Spartans’ is *actually* funny or just plain bad? WatchMojo breaks down the top 10 worst parody movies, and spoiler alert, ‘Meet the Spartans’ makes the list. See if you agree with their reasoning!
300: Spartans, Snyder & Shenanigans
Want to understand why ‘Meet the Spartans’ is a parody? This video dives into the original ‘300’ comic and Zack Snyder’s movie, explaining the cultural phenomenon that spawned countless spoofs, including, of course, our movie!
Meet The Spartans – Spartan Greeting
Curious about the humor in ‘Meet the Spartans’? Check out this quick clip showcasing the movie’s over-the-top and absurd style. It’s either hilarious or cringe-worthy, but definitely memorable!
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