Film Analysis: Super Size Me
The documentary Super Size Me, produced by Morgan Spurlock, is a film which aims to frighten its viewers into adopting a more healthy lifestyle. Super Size Me uses techniques which attempt to shock the viewer- showing them the devastating effects that consuming nothing but fast food (in the case of the documentary, food purchased from McDonalds) for 30 days has upon the physical and mental health of the previously healthy Morgan Spurlock, as well as highlighting some of the practices of the fast food companies which many people would consider to be highly unethical (such as the cultivation of genetically modified chickens- although this practice is not entirely uncommon to other food companies).
Super Size Me is a film aimed toward no particular …show more content…
In the case of the film, the ignorance is in regards to nutrition. This is demonstrated by interviews- asking people on the street simple nutrition facts such as the definition of a calorie, or how often they consume fast food (a question which provokes an interesting response and possibly some unfair racial stereotyping on Spurlock's part, in regards to an interview with two African American teenagers). The American people are shown as having an inadequate knowledge of basic nutrition in order to sustain a healthy diet. This is a technique which forces the audience to think: 'What is a calorie?' 'How often do I eat fast food?' 'Am I taking adequate care of my health?The documentary is one which, from the very beginning, pushes forth its purpose, and Morgan Spurlock's viewpoint. From before he sets out upon the 30 day experiment, you are aware of the fact that his health will deteriorate, but the extent to which it does is what shocks viewers. It can be fair to say that the ten pounds which Spurlock gains in the first five days of the experiment is the notion that is the most frightening for fad diet-obsessed America. Never mind the fact that the excessive caloric intake is in fact, the cause of the weight gain- the McDonalds food is now inextricably linked with 'weight gain' in the minds of the viewers- projecting the message: 'If you eat …show more content…
This enhances the gaudy 'feel' of the film- a satirical visual pun on the advertising techniques of the fast food companies. The film shows a graphic scene of a person undergoing liposuction- it shows parts of the human body which are off putting to the viewer. The procedure looks painful- it acts as a deterrent to viewers- making them think about cutting down on their intake of food which is less than
Super Size Me is a film aimed toward no particular …show more content…
In the case of the film, the ignorance is in regards to nutrition. This is demonstrated by interviews- asking people on the street simple nutrition facts such as the definition of a calorie, or how often they consume fast food (a question which provokes an interesting response and possibly some unfair racial stereotyping on Spurlock's part, in regards to an interview with two African American teenagers). The American people are shown as having an inadequate knowledge of basic nutrition in order to sustain a healthy diet. This is a technique which forces the audience to think: 'What is a calorie?' 'How often do I eat fast food?' 'Am I taking adequate care of my health?The documentary is one which, from the very beginning, pushes forth its purpose, and Morgan Spurlock's viewpoint. From before he sets out upon the 30 day experiment, you are aware of the fact that his health will deteriorate, but the extent to which it does is what shocks viewers. It can be fair to say that the ten pounds which Spurlock gains in the first five days of the experiment is the notion that is the most frightening for fad diet-obsessed America. Never mind the fact that the excessive caloric intake is in fact, the cause of the weight gain- the McDonalds food is now inextricably linked with 'weight gain' in the minds of the viewers- projecting the message: 'If you eat …show more content…
This enhances the gaudy 'feel' of the film- a satirical visual pun on the advertising techniques of the fast food companies. The film shows a graphic scene of a person undergoing liposuction- it shows parts of the human body which are off putting to the viewer. The procedure looks painful- it acts as a deterrent to viewers- making them think about cutting down on their intake of food which is less than