Super Size Me

Question: How often do you think people should eat fast food? Answer: Ideally, never!

This documentary needs no real introduction. It started with a simple question that has gone on to cause a global debate. Morgan Spurlock, a regular Joe, decided to set out to discover why Americans are so fat. To gain an understanding into why his homeland loves fast-food so much he decided to undertake an experiment; to eat nothing but McDonalds for 30 days straight. While conducting his study he embarked on a trip across America that would lead him to visit 20 states including Texas - the fattest state in the country - speaking to experts and shocking doctors who studied his every move.

The facts and figures he produced would get the world talking and have its suppliers running. As a viewer we come to learn that not only do American’s pay for it with their wallets but also with their weight.

This film is a really great bad idea, especially as a relatively fit Spurlock runs himself into the ground with his new McDiet. It is an engaging and funny study of food - looking at everything from health and exercise to diet. It also focuses on the way companies market their products and who they specifically market their products to - young children. The people who are interviewed are characters themselves, as are their stories - in particular, two girls who are suing McDonalds for causing a severe weight gain that affected their health. Instead of putting down the Big Macs and doing some exercise they decided to take the easier option of suing the provider and getting themselves a lawyer at the tender age of 14 years old.

The film is a great topic for discussion and as a viewer you are easily drawn into Spurlock’s quest for answers. It has had such an impact that parents now are looking at how much of a role model they are to their children, also McDonalds phased out its ‘Super Size’ options due to the movie’s impact.

Photographically it’s visually appealing with its pop up captions and cartoons, has genuine laugh out loud hysterical moments but can still be eye-opening and shocking. Everyone needs to see this film, most have but if you’re a devote fast food fanatic too stubborn to watch the truth be warned of this motto; the fatter you get the richer they get.

Keep telling yourself... only in America, but is it?