 SUPER SIZE MEReviewed by: Keith Howland Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Teens and Adults
Genre:
Documentary
Length:
1 hr. 38 min.
Year of Release:
2004
USA Release:
______
Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock is on a mission to eat only McDonald’s food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for thirty days. No exceptions. (That includes vitamins and aspirin.) He must eat every item on the menu at least once; and every time he is asked if he wants it “super sized,” he must say yes (although he won’t ask for it.) Further, he will limit his exercise to only the amount of walking per day of the average American. The usually trim and healthy Spurlock has committed to this inadvisable month-long binge to form the centerpiece of his documentary film about the rampant obesity in the United States. Spurlock is not suggesting that McDonald’s is to blame for our nation’s widespread corpulence, but fast food and candy companies do prey heavily on the susceptibilities of a complacent populace through heavily funded, pervasive advertising. “Super Size Me” is in part an antidote to that cultural influence. It advocates personal responsibility to maintain one’s health, and it reveals that fast food companies are not out to serve our best interests, but to make money. Spurlock’s dietary adventure ably proves this. While McDonald’s takes his money, his health rapidly declines. Weekly physical examinations reveal disturbing and surprising results of his McDiet, including his liver suffering as though subjected to excessive alcohol intake. Spurlock also gains nearly thirty pounds. The filmmaker travels the country throughout his experiment, visiting food corporation bigwigs, dietary specialists, schools, people on the street, and (of course) as many McDonald’s restaurants as he can, in order to enlighten and entertain us. The results of his interviews and observations are often interesting, such as the positive effect that a good diet has on the behavior of “troubled” teens. He also encounters many unsettling circumstances, such as schools that serve much more boxed foods than fresh (due in large part to convenience, not cost). This all may sound gloomy, but the film is actually humorous throughout. People say and do funny things wherever you go, and Spurlock has a way of capturing it. The film is briskly edited and filled with clever cartoon and music accompaniment to heighten the comedy further. The filmmakers have certainly tried hard to create a crowd-pleasing documentary (no matter how oxymoronic that may sound), and they have mostly succeeded. Spurlock’s documentary approach is definitely more Michael Moore than Ken Burns (that is, more self-indulgent, preachy, and scattershot than it is incisive and thorough), but it does give you much food for thought as it entertains. Sadly, the film is also unnecessarily offensive. There is no violence, per se, but there are some disturbing cartoons, a scene of the auteur vomiting, and a graphic surgical sequence. There is some obscene dialogue, numerous mild profanities, misuse of the Lord’s name, and derogatory terms. The dialogue also contains sexual references, including Morgan’s girlfriend (a vegan!) describing their sex life. [God prohibits sex outside of marriage, as the Bible reveals: Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18.] Bodily exposure is also throughout the film. Mostly it is Spurlock in his boxers during physical examinations, but on occasion his boxers are replaced with something briefer or even nothing at all. Further, there is also a series of photos of scantily dressed women, a photo of a topless woman, as well as other crude drawings. Even more unnecessary is the movie’s apparent intent to mock Jesus through some of its imagery. Two illustrations in the film lampoon the Last Supper, in one case showing Ronald McDonald in Jesus' place. These mockeries are offensive in their attempts to gain laughs by irreverent treatment of the King of Kings. Good discussion can come of “Super Size Me,” most clearly regarding what attitude we should have about our diet and physical health. God gave humanity plants and animals to eat (Genesis 1:29; 9:3), but as with all gifts of God, food and drink are to be used wisely for our good, and not to be abused through excess. The Bible warns against gluttony (as well as drunkenness), even hinting at its poor physical side-effects (Proverbs 23:20-21). God expects us to care for the bodies we have been given, but further wants us to honor Him with what we do in our bodies (I Corinthians 6:20). Something that this film misses entirely is that we are not just a body, but also a spirit, and it is that spirit that continues when the body dies. The Bible speaks clearly about those who foolishly think of only satisfying the needs and pleasures of the physical body while ignoring the Kingdom of God and the judgment that will come to all men (Luke 17:26-29; 21:34-36; Romans 13:12-14). Ironically, the filmmaker preaches the need for personal responsibility concerning diet, but ignores God’s law regarding human sexuality. Scripture denounces adultery more strongly than it does gluttony (Leviticus 20:10; Matthew 5:27-30); and while Spurlock demonstrates the destructive effects of eating only fast food, the Bible declares, “a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32). As with diet, everything in balance and at its proper time. P.S. - I’ve read that since “Super Size Me” featured prominently at the Sundance Film Festival in January, McDonald’s has discontinued super-sizing. Violence: Mild / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate   Neutral - For what the film is, I feel the story is well presented and has caused me to open my eyes a little wider to see the influence of the “food” industry. Yes, there are some slightly objectionable scenes like when Morgan (the central character) “tosses his McCookies” (vomits) on the parking lot outside his car. There is also talk of sexual relations with his girlfriend, who is not (presented as) his wife. Overall, however, I feel the film is worth the time to view and you will be educated as well as entertained. Positive - The review of this movie is fabulous — says it all. I would
however give it a slightly higher rate for artistic achievement. The movie
tells the story very clearly and in a very entertaining way. It’s a shame
that the producer’s (and star’s) approach to life, namely his moral
perspective, is so shallow and ungodly. Otherwise, this is a fascinating
look at a big problem in American society — the eating of food that is
harmful. The Bible does give some indication of what people ate in
Biblical times, and the American eating habits are atrocious and
far-removed from healthy, wholesome, fresh unprocessed food — fruits,
vegetables, nuts and grains, with just a little bit of animal protein and
fat. I feel well-informed by this movie. Positive - This is a must see film for Americans today!! Yes, I will be the first to say that there is some offensive material (It’s made by non-Christians. What do you expect?) There should be discretions as to what ages view this film. However, I believe it is imperative that Christian adults and teenagers view this film for its groundbreaking and eye-opening content. It’s brought out in such a way that is easily learned and convicting. On the film’s extras on the DVD, it is stated that it is predicted that obesity will replace smoking as the #1 preventable cause of death in America. And honestly, most of the heaviest people I have seen lately have been Christians. Lord forbid if someone is caught smoking though! Americans as well as Christians are leaving this earth before their time, and this film communicates this well. It shows the effects of poor eating (It mainly targets McDonald’s because it is the largest fast food chain. Ultimately the responsibility is placed on the consumer.) Positive - Great movie, great message. Americans are ridiculously obese and
it’s only getting worse. I already knew a lot of the facts presented, but
it was still great to see the actual impact of an entire fast food diet.
Wow, I’m glad I don’t really like that kind of stuff anyway. Sure it’s
kind of tasty at times, but I just feel like crap after I’ve eaten it so
for me, that’s enough of a motivator, hopefully this movie has been a
motivator for others. I also enjoyed the extras on the DVD the “smoking
fry” was pretty darn gross, but interesting no doubt. This film gave an
important message and added humor and interesting facts to boot. I’d love
to see more from Spurlock, but I hope he no longer compromises his own
health to do it. I really felt for his mother and girlfriend and how
worried sick they where. Positive - Very good review. I understand that much of the film (the sexual
content mainly) would be offensive to Christians, but I think that the
information he provides about unhealthy eating’s effect on one’s sex life
can still be beneficial to married couples who have viewed the documentary
and want to maintain healthy sex lives. Comments from young people
Positive - This film is great! People need to here the truth right up front
about the food they’re putting in themselves and the affects it has. Kids
are getting fatter and fatter these days, and it’s thanks to places like
McDonalds. They didn’t need to get so discriptive with the sex-life part
of the film, but an awesome documentary anyway! See it! Negative - This film was extremely offensive to me! I have LOVED fast food
all of my life! Everyone should know that if you eat a Super Sized meal 3
times a day every day you are going to gain weight. We don’t need to be
told that! This film was badly made and inspires eating disorders! Negative - [Has not viewed this film] First and foremost I am incredibly angry that this film was even
made and also that people have such ignorant views concerning the fast
food industry. I have not seen the movie, but I am basing this review on
things I have read and heard. My Dad owns three McDonalds and I can tell
you that his not out just to make money and make people fat. My Dad
teaches a 11th grade Sunday School class and provides many kids and people
at my church with jobs. My Dad knows many people that work for the
Mcdonalds corporation and their definitely not the money hungry ignorant
morons that this movie makes them out to be. Nobody I know and believe
lives can eat and afford to eat only McDonalds food, and if they can and
do, they are ignorant and I don't believe responsible so their views
should’nt be believed as accurate. Me and my brother eat Mcdonalds, and we
are definitely not fat, neither is my Dad or Mom. Again I am ashamed that
people have such narrow minded views concerning the fast food
industry. It should be left up to the consumer to exercise and stay
healthy, no one makes them eat at McDonalds. Movie Critics
“…McBrilliant and may be one of the most important documentaries you’ll ever see… should be mandatory viewing in our schools …” “…thanks to Spurlock’s oversized and buoyant personality and some pretty nifty filmmaking, the results are as entertaining as they are sobering…” “…two hours after you see it, you’re hungry again, even though your brain has gotten fatter…” “…A hilarious and often appalling look at the way fast food is marketed in America and the dangers it poses to public health…” |
E-mail this page to a friend
