“Meet the Spartans” is a spoof of the movie “300,” which integrates many different famous celebrities to mock by using look-a-likes. The movie also throws into the mix many types of music, such as rap and hard rock to appeal to the younger generation.

I have to confess, I allowed my 13 year old and her friend to see this movie without seeking any reviews of the movie. I thought that, given the PG-13 rating the movie, it would be mild enough for this age and would not be completely inappropriate. We stayed approximately an hour into the movie, before I made the decision to walk out.

During the first 10 minutes, there is a great deal of foul language. The first scene begins with a man throwing babies off a hilltop. This is to spoof the idea that the Spartans raised their children under the survival of the fittest mentality—one in which the strong babies will live, while the weak are seen as degraded and not worthy of survival. After the decision is made to throw the baby, it shows the baby landing on a heap of already dead babies. Sadly enough this is symbolic of a heated debate in our country, and one that is lived out everyday in clinics across America.

Another major scene is the meeting between a representative of the invading army and King Leonidas. The spokesman for the invading army is attempting to encourage the Spartans to surrender their city. During this meeting, a discussion ensues related to the way the women of Sparta greet their guest with the “Top Gun” hand slap and the men greet their guest with a tongue twisting French kiss. This greeting is demonstrated many times throughout the movie.

In another scene, the head of the council solicits Leonidas’ wife for sexual favors in return for support in the council to send more warriors to fight with Leonidas. While this scene was in the original movie, this satire took it a step further to a full blown orgy. Throughout the movie, the Spartan men are represented as homosexuals. I cannot believe it actually took me an hour to make the decision to leave, but I finally came to my senses and walked out of the theatre.

There are many spiritual issues throughout this movie.

1. Allowing this movie to rated PG-13 was very inappropriate, based upon the content. Allowing 13-17 years olds into this movie sends a message of approval for “casual sex.” This is a pattern in our society, which sanctions this form of behavior, especially in the entertainment industry.

   Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually, sins against his own body. Do you not know the your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not your own, you were brought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body (I Cor. 6:18-20 - NIV).

   The eye is a lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad your whole body will be full of darkness… (Matthew 6:22 - NIV).

2. Promotion of the homosexual lifestyle is very prevalent in this movie. This is representative of the homosexual agenda in our country, which promotes this “alternative lifestyle” as an acceptable choice in God’s eyes. Once again our children are being given the message that casual sex (even with the same gender) is an acceptable form of expression of love.

   [What’s wrong with being gay? Answer
   Homosexual behavior versus the Bible: Are people born gay? Does homosexuality harm anyone? Is it anyone's business? Are homosexual and heterosexual relationships equally valid?]

3. The movie makes fun of the use of adultery as a tool to get what one wishes. The sad aspect of this is that we live in a society where a President can engage in this type of behavior, lie about it, and suffer few adverse effects when he is finally forced to admit it. Those who have not forgotten will certainly find this movie offensive and vulgar.

4. Exploiting people for the sake of humor. What has our society come to when many can enjoy this film simply because of attempts to entertain us? This is sick humor. I find it offensive and repulsive.

5. “Throwing away of babies” due to the fact that they are not worthy to be chosen as a warrior. God’s plan is defiled every day in this country when we allow abortion clinics to grant the wishes of mothers who choose to end the lives of their children out of convenience. While I can appreciate the challenging lives lived by the original Spartan’s and the way in which a warrior society chose to treat their children, I cannot condone the mocking way in which this movie portrays the choices made with respect to these babies. The Spartan’s allowed their children to live with the families until they reached a certain age. This movie takes advantage of the opportunity to spoof this practice with a representation of real world crisis in our country, the senseless slaughter of human beings unable to defend themselves.

Don’t let this movie’s PG-13 rating deceive you. In my opinion, the rating of “R” should have been given for strong sexual content, language, violence and adult themes. Due to its extreme vulgarity, I do not recommend this film for anyone.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Heavy / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.