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The kick to the pants we Americans need
by Brian White (movies profile)
Mar 3, 2008
373
of
483 people found this review helpful
Morgan Spurlock, evoking Michael Moore, hits one out of the park with "Super Size Me." Over the course of a month, he rejects anything other than McDonalds fare, for a grand total of 90 meals. He lays down rules and sees what will happen to his body. During his journey, Spurlock sets his aim on McDonalds corporation, food industry lobbyists, and lazy public school systems and their un-nutritional menus. Along the way Spurlock paints the picture that we Americans are fat, getting fatter, and fast food chains like McDonalds are there every step of the way.
There will no doubt be scores of critics waiting to debunk the facts presented in this movie. There will be naysayers who say that Morgan Spurlock, the man who subjects himself to 90 McDonald's meals in a row to see what happens to his health, is a publicity hound, an egomaniac who uses the screen to stage stunts in the style of Jackass (Spurlock did do some second-tier work for MTV, coincidentally).
These critics will be missing the point. Sure, Spurlock throws lots of stats around, but the real point is that we know we are harming ourselves by eating like crap, and Spurlock simply drags the issue out in the light for everyone to wince at the glare.
I eat 3-4 fast food meals a week. During my twenties, there were weeks when maybe half my meals were from Taco Bell, McDonalds, and the like. Even though I'm eating better now, everyone in my viewing group empathized with Spurlock's deterioration ad were *feeling bad ourselves* by the end of the film. I can already feel my relationship with fast food has been dealt a blow.
It really doesn't matter if some of the stats are incorrect--it's why I like Moore's films too, that the facts as presented by the filmmaker contribute to the entertainment. It's about the need to be changed by a film for the better, even if the facts are somewhat biased.
This is the rare film experience where hordes of Americans in denial need to see this film and need to get a kick in the pants, and be entertained along the way. |
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