Super Size Me (2004)
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Super Size Me Movie Review
Super Size Me is a 2004 documentary film directed by and starring Morgan Spurlock. It has its flaws, but it’s an undeniably important, entertaining doc flick.
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“We’re part of the problem,
and we also are part of the solution“
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Morgan Spurlock sets out to examine just how terrible eating McDonald’s for a month is for one’s body, and the results are more than alarming. He shines a light on everything that is wrong with the fast food industry. The movie thus serves as one giant experiment that is very detailed in its execution and the aftermath of it.
I appreciated that a lot. However, I did not find this entire experiment to be all that relatable on a global scale to people as he most definitely cheated by eating McDonald’s food every single day for every single meal. That was just too much as obviously almost nobody would ever do that. So the end result is thus less blunted in impact.
I did really appreciate the details of the test results, the carbs and the diets. The film gives a very good 101 talk on food intake and how all of it works in your body, and what are the consequences of eating badly. It is rather comprehensive in that area as it takes its time to deal with every single ramification.
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It showcases just how horribly obese the Americans, especially Texans are, and how unhealthy their lifestyles and diets have become. I especially admired its stance on the tobacco industry and tobacco consumers being hypocritically judged while the obese people are never to be scolded. And the most horrible, painful moment in the movie is when the children are shown the pictures of Jesus, Washington and other famous historical figures and they do not recognize them whatsoever while they do recognize McDonald’s.
Let’s talk about Morgan Spurlock of whom I have very mixed opinions. He is undoubtedly a lot of fun to hang around. His charisma and energy are infectious, and his approach at this experiment is very serious and impressively courageous and persistent.
However, that sense of fun, though it led to an extremely fun biopic, it also led to a film that is somewhat difficult to fully take seriously, which is a big problem when this important subject matter is concerned. Sometimes, the approach is too jokey, and especially Morgan is having way too much fun, and that made the movie odd in terms of tone and its goals.
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Super Size Me is superbly directed by Spurlock. There is no doubt about it. Morgan’s direction is stellar throughout, and the editing is particularly professional. Apparently, there were hundreds of minutes filmed, and they chose the most important moments, which led to the film feeling very concise, and again hugely entertaining. It manages to be involving throughout while also being genuinely illuminating in its many interviews and discussions about the fast food industry. It has the power to change people’s views on this subject for sure.
Super Size Me is rather extreme in its experiment, but it still takes a strong stance against the fast food industry and the growing obesity rate in the world. It’s thus a very important movie that is somewhat light in approach, but that led to one hugely entertaining documentary which is so well directed, edited and so detailed and powerful in what it’s preaching.
