Meet the Spartans Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Meet the Spartans" is a surprisingly high-quality showcase of visual excellence, with Fox delivering a stunning 1080p, 1.85:1 transfer on a BD-25 single-layer disc. The imagery is consistently crystal-clear and richly detailed. Fine details shine through, from the intricate Persian uniforms to the faintest threads on a battlefield bandage. Colors are vividly reproduced with deep reds, bold blues, and rich greens, crafting a visually satisfying, candy-coated aesthetic. However, the film's original tone injects a slight sepia and golden tint into the flesh tones, likely an intentional nod to its satirical nature.

Blacks are deep and contrasty, providing scenes with ample punch and vibrancy, while shadow delineation maintains solid structure despite occasional graininess that adds a cinematic texture without disrupting clarity. Some minor issues arise during special effects shots where black levels appear washed out, and intense colors can sometimes make the image indistinct or fuzzy. Nonetheless, these instances are few and far between in an otherwise excellent transfer. The high level of detail resolution extends across various elements from costumes and props to the nuances of the set design, making every pit, mark, and blemish on shields, helmets, and other items discernible.

Overall, the video presentation of "Meet the Spartans" offers an immersive and engaging experience. While the movie itself may not hold cinematic acclaim, its Blu-ray transfer showcases top-tier visual capabilities that ensure even the most discerning videophile can appreciate the technical aspects.

The audio presentation of "Meet the Spartans" on Blu-ray is a mixed bag that stands out for its technical prowess, even if the content falls short. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack has received widespread praise for its excellent execution, featuring deep bass extension and crystal-clear dialogue. Surround sound dynamics are handled superbly, delivering a well-articulated sonic environment that makes full use of a 7.2 channel system. When bitstreamed for external decoding through a high-end receiver, the results are nothing short of impressive.

Fox has gone above and beyond to ensure that this lossless track is far more sophisticated than the movie itself. The opening moments of the film, with their booming thunder and percussion, set a high standard for audio enjoyment. Surround presence and bass performance peak during key sequences such as the Transformers/Megatron spoof, providing a pleasing auditory experience. Moments of dynamic audio, such as chapter 10's Xerxes Mix with its vibrant hip-hop beat, highlight the track's capability for precise separation and imaging. Dialogue reproduction remains impeccable throughout.

Though the soundtrack is ultimately wasted on a film of this nature, it stands as a testament to professional audio engineering. The inclusion of DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround (48kHz/24-bit) alongside French and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround ensures versatility for international audiences. Overall, the audio is polished, with moderate surround engagement and well-balanced music and dialogue. The track is clean from any defects, providing a perfectly adequate presentation. In sum, while the movie might leave much to be desired, its audio presentation does not disappoint.

The Blu-ray extras for "Meet the Spartans" offer a mixture of behind-the-scenes insights and playful interactive features, though the overall depth varies. The commentary track featuring directors Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, along with actors Sean Maguire, Nicole Parker, and Ike Barinholtz, is amusing but lacks substantive production details, leaning heavily on humorous anecdotes and in-jokes. Various featurettes like "Prepare for Thrusting" and "Tour the Set with Ike Barinholtz" provide quick glimpses into the production process, while the gag reel delivers more genuine laughs than the film itself. Interactive games such as "Know Your Spartans Pop Culture Trivia Game" and "Super Pit-of-Death Ultimate Tactical Battle Challenge" add some engagement but offer limited replay value. The supplementary content is capped off with two theatrical trailers.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by cast and crew: Entertaining anecdotes from directors and actors.
• Know Your Spartans Pop Culture Trivia Game: Multiple-choice trivia game.
• Gag Reel: Humorous outtakes from the film.
• Meet the Spartans: The Music: Jump to any music/dance scene.
• Prepare for Thrusting: A look at the cast's workout routines.
• Tour the Set with Ike Barinholtz: Behind-the-scenes tour of film sets.
• Celebrity Kickoff Game: An interactive game kicking celebrities into the Pit of Death.
• Super Pit-of-Death Ultimate Tactical Battle Challenge: Interactive game, first-person perspective.
• Trivial Track: Pop-up trivia during the movie.
• Two theatrical trailers: Previews of the film.

Meet the Spartans blends a hackneyed plotline with hasty, increasingly outlandish pop culture references. Directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, the film clumsily parodies the 2006 epic, "300," while simultaneously lampooning myriad movies, TV shows, celebrities, and even video games. The scattershot approach includes jabs at "Shrek," "Casino Royale," "Spider-Man 3," American Idol, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton, among others. Regrettably, most of these spoofs feel awkwardly shoehorned and often fall flat, missing the mark in terms of humor or insightful commentary.

The cast, led by Carmen Electra, Ken Davitian, and Kevin Sorbo, stumbles through a series of crass jokes centering on sexual innuendoes and slapstick gags. Supplementing the unoriginal narrative is a barrage of gay and racially insensitive humor that lacks any semblance of cleverness or nuance. Even moments meant to shock, such as recurrent open-mouth male kissing scenes, quickly become monotonous and unimpactful. The sets, purportedly Roman but evidently cheaply constructed, provide little to no visual appeal.

Technical merits are scant, with the film clocking in mercifully at 87 minutes, although the actual plot spans a mere 68 minutes before succumbing to yet another tedious American Idol spoof during the credits. Despite its brief duration, the film drags considerably due to repetitive and uninspired comedy. In stark contrast to classics in the spoof genre like "Spaceballs" or "UHF," "Meet the Spartans" is a reminder of how far the quality bar has fallen in contemporary cinematic satire. This movie serves as an arduous watch, best avoided by viewers seeking genuine humor or engaging parody.

"Meet the Spartans" is a lackluster attempt at parody, lacking the charm and wit that characterized earlier genre spoofs like "UHF." The humor, predominantly crude with repeated homophobic and racist gags, falls flat over its 87-minute runtime. Even the integration of pop culture references, particularly those centered around Paris Hilton, feels hackneyed and uninspired.

From a technical perspective, the Blu-ray release is commendable. The video quality is solid, presenting a clear and vibrant image that meticulously captures the film's visual style. Audio performance is equally robust, providing an immersive sound experience. Despite this, the supplementary materials offer little of substance, although they may appeal to fans of the film.

In conclusion, while "Meet the Spartans" falters as a film, delivering a monotonous and offensive brand of humor, its Blu-ray rendition excels in terms of audiovisual quality. However, the merits of this technical proficiency do not justify sitting through an otherwise dismal viewing experience. A discerning viewer would be better served seeking entertainment elsewhere.