ChildCare Action Project:
Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)

Entertainment Media Analysis Report

MAR00198
Spawn (1997)
PG-13
CAP Score: 43
CAP ID: 1.16

Thomas A. Carder
CAP President

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Spawn (1997) CAP Thermometers Spawn (1997) was a very evil nightmarish movie of ersatz reality. Satan/demon worship, graphic battles with evil, and propositioning for souls were the theme of this adaptation of a cartoon character.

Wanton Violence/ Crime (W) lost heavily due to, among other things, extremely graphic battles with evil, graphic distortion of human flesh, physical beating of a child, and a talking severed head melting on the floor. Impunity/Hate (I)(1) lost almost everything due to coarse language and acts of disgust. Sex/Homosexuality (S) lost two-thirds of its 100 starting points because of gamming and excessive cleavage, inappropriate touching, talk of sexual intercourse with descriptive body movements, vulgar references to sexual activity, and camera angle to focus the viewer on female private regions. Drugs/Alcohol (D) lost no points since no uses or mention of drugs and/or alcohol were found. The starting 100 points in Offense to God (O)(2) were evaporated quickly due to very, very Satanic programming: propositions for selling the soul; graphic portrayal of Hell and battles in Hell; Satan/demon worship; gifts of power and strength from Satan; Satanic music; a murder victim being resurrected (and possessed) by unholy power; "On some levels, even God Himself has never done it (defeated the devil)" by a movie official at the end of the movie tape; and other examples of unholy influence. Murder/Suicide (M)(3) lost almost half of its starting 100 points due to a knife murder, multiple murders, and assassination of many by fire and explosion.

It is interesting that Spawn is rated PG-13 but received a CAP score equivalent to R-rated material. Between 1993 and 1995 the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model (the CAP Model) was built by investigation into the content of 33 movies (3 movies rated G and 10 each rated PG, PG-13, and R). And the very same analytical process and parameters that were used to develop the CAP Model were used to determine the scoring of Spawn. Strange that new movies rated PG-13 would have earned R-rated scores just three and four years ago! Hmmm...

Additional examples of unacceptable material included:

  • coarse language
  • evil imagery
  • Satanic artwork with and without nudity
  • evil characters
  • gamming and cleavage
  • dead bodies
  • firearm injury
  • disfigurement
  • inappropriate touching
  • very short dress and sensual dress
  • acts of disgusting nature
  • talk of sexual intercourse with descriptive body movements
  • camera angle to focus veiwer on female private regions
  • physical assault
  • gunfire
  • instant tissue healing
  • murder
  • statue nudity
  • invitation of sexual favor
  • vulgar reference to human anatomy and sexual activity
  • the use of God's name in vain without the three/four letter word vocabulary
  • Satanic background music
    		•

    Below is the table showing the scoring in each of the Investigation Areas plus the Final Score drawn from the actual CAP Report. In addition, the CAP Influence Density (ID) figure for the movie and the number of examples per hour of unacceptable material in each of the Investigation Areas is provided.

    Spawn (1997) CAP Scorecard
    In accordance with the comparative baseline data of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model, Spawn (1997) presented material equivalent to R-rated material in Wanton Violence/Crime, Impunity/Hate, Sex/Homosexuality, Offense to God, and Murder/Suicide. Spawn (1997) was equivalent to G material in Drugs/Alcohol. Thus, the movie was equivalent to 83% R-rated material and 17% G material.






    (1) As noted in CAP Special Report-001, "Investigation Area and Scoring Trend," of the six CAP Investigation Areas, Impunity/Hate was the strongest presence in all four movie classifications. It has a strong revelation about the entertainment media.

    (2) The use of the three/four letter word vocabulary without God's name is incorporated into the Impunity/Hate Investigation Area. The use of God's name with or without the three/four letter word vocabulary is incorporated into the Offense to God Investigation Area. There is no duplication. As required of the Holy Scriptures, unless God's name is used with reverence to His glory and praise, its use is considered in vain, whether literal or euphemistic.

    (3) Only portrayal of successful murder or suicide are incorporated into Murder/Suicide. Presentation of attempts to commit murder or suicide, deaths by police action, and deaths by war are incorporated into Wanton Violence/Crime.


    Please remember we believe that if even one of the six Investigation Area scores for a movie is equivalent to the CAP comparative baseline database scoring range for R, PG-13, or PG material, the entire movie should be regarded as so rated.  For example, if only Wanton Violence/Crime earns a score equivalent to R but all other Investigation Areas earn a score equivalent to G, THERE IS R-RATED MATERIAL IN THE MOVIE AND YOUR KIDS WILL SEE IT AND HEAR IT IF THEY WATCH THE MOVIE!




    Additional reviews of this movie may be located at "Movie Review Query Engine at Telerama."




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    In the name of Jesus:
    Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God.

    Thomas A. Carder
    President
    ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)

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