While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.While examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 13 nominations total
- Self - Internal Medicine
- (as Daryl M. Isaacs MD, Dr. Daryl Isaacs)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe documentary premiered at Sundance in January, 2004. Less than two months later, McDonald's announced that it would no longer sell any of its menu items in "Super Size", although it officially denied that this move was in reaction to this film.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Morgan Spurlock: [voiceover] Still, the impact of this lawsuit is being seen far and wide. School districts in New York, Texas, and San Francisco have banned sugary soft drinks in schools. And all-natural healthy options are popping up everywhere. McDonald's joined right in, sponsoring events that showed how health-conscious they've become, and creating a new line of premium salads. At the same time, however, they also masterminded one of their fattest sandwiches to date: the McGriddle. A pancake-wrapped creation that won my heart in Texas, but can pack as much fat as a Big Mac, and have more sugar than a pack of McDonaldland cookies. In fact, their new premium ranch chicken salad with dressing delivers more calories than a Big Mac and 51 grams of fat, 79% of your daily fat intake. Over the course of my McDiet, I consumed 30 pounds of sugar from their food. That's a pound a day. On top of that, I also took in 12 pounds of fat. Now, I know what you're saying. You're saying nobody's supposed to eat this food three times a day. No wonder all this stuff happened to you. But the scary part is: there are people who eat this food regularly. Some people even eat it every day. So, while my experiment may have been a little extreme, it's not that crazy. But here is a crazy idea: Why not do away with your Super Size options? Who needs 42 ounces of Coke? A half pound of fries? And why not give me a choice besides french fries or french fries? That would be a great start. But why should these companies want to change? Their loyalty isn't to you, it's to the stockholders. The bottom line: They're a business, no matter what they say. And by selling you unhealthy food, they make millions. And no company wants to stop doing that. If this ever-growing paradigm is going to shift, it's up to you. But if you decide to keep living this way, go ahead. Over time, you may find yourself getting as sick as I did. And you may wind up here
[emergency room]
Morgan Spurlock: or here
[cemetery]
Morgan Spurlock: I guess the big question is, who do you want to see go first? You? Or them?
- Crazy creditsThe last credit line reads: With VERY special thanks to my ex-wife's insurance provider for covering all medical costs. Thanks co-pay!
- Alternate versionsThere are at least two (slightly) different versions of this film, depending on the source. Comparing the streaming versions available on Peacock, Tubi, Freevee and Pluto, for example, the quote from Ray Kroc at the beginning is attributed on Peacock ("McDonald's Founder), but not on the other three services (just says "Ray Kroc").
- SoundtracksShimmy She Wobble
Performed by Otha Turner and the Afrossippi Allstars
Written by Otha Turner
Courtesy of Birdman Records
I'm not sure I have a good handle on the difference between documentaries and performance art. It is blurred enough whenever Michael Moore or Ken Burns take control. Here, the situation is even more confusing. I think that is the intent and why this little thing has appeal.
The documentary half of this Frankenstein concerns the international epidemic of obesity that is overwhelming the industrialized world. The numbers and images are memorable enough to form the basis of an essay.
The complexity of this half evaporates when it is reduced to a matter of blame, as is always the case (the reduction to blame and the unworthiness of the result). Pictures of chunky kids notwithstanding, there are some interesting fundamental problems here revolving around whether we are capable as a society of making decisions; whether 'freedom' doesn't, even can't work.
But the other half of this is performance art. A professional actor binges on McFood and tells us (as effectively as Chris Guest might) about getting the McTingles and the McPukes. His doctors raise the alarm. Will he abandon the project, his mother begs. His girlfriend testifies that she can tell that McErections aren't as good.
All this is amusing enough to occupy your time, I suppose, if you don't have much of a life. The problem is that the latter half masquerades as the first. Unhappily, we cannot tell the difference, and the reason is the real scandal: political 'education' (and talk radio) has taught us that anecdote and metaphor are reasonable substitute for the real thing.
So one leaves the theater feeling that just like McDonalds brands its product with a clown, so has this film branded the case against McDonalds with a clown. Same same.
Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
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- Also known as
- Super Size Me: Educationally Enhanced
- Filming locations
- Production companies
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Box office
- Budget
- $65,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $11,536,423
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $516,641
- May 9, 2004
- Gross worldwide
- $20,645,757