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Super Size Me (PG-13, 2004)

common sense media says

Fascinating documentary on American fast food.


parents & educators say
  • 31% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some sexual references (Spurlock's sex life is adversely affected by his diet) and some very graphic images of a stomach-stapling operation. There's some strong language, too.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Extremely graphic scenes of an operation.
Sex: Sexual references.
Language: Some very strong language.
Consumerism: McDonald's is mentioned, but not portrayed positively.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Super Size Me

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about what they eat and why people do things that are bad for them. Who is responsible for America's obesity crisis? What should we do about it? How will seeing this movie change your behavior? If you were Spurlock, what movie would you make next?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Filmmaker Morgan Spurlock takes on American fast food culture in general and McDonald's in particular in this prize-winning documentary. He eats nothing but McDonald's food for an entire month, and says "yes" whenever he is asked if he wants to supersize his order. To the horror of his vegan chef girlfriend and the three doctors who monitor his 25-pound weight gain and severe liver damage, he eats "meat, meat, sugar and fat" for a month. At first, his body rejects the supersized food and he throws up. But by the end of the month he craves McDonald's food and feels happier and calmer when he has eaten some. He also talks to experts, including a surprisingly svelte man who eats his 19,00th Big Mac on camera, the lobbyist for the food companies, and a law professor who is suing McDonald's on behalf of two obese teenagers. Spurlock visits schools that feed students the same kind of "cheap, fat-laden" meals served by fast food outlets -- provided by the USDA's school lunch program. He also finds one school for kids with behavior problems in Wisconsin that is experimenting with a healthy, additive-free menu with successful results and no extra costs.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Mordantly funny and trenchantly sobering, SUPERSIZE ME is a Big Mac attack with real bite. Spurlock strikes just the right note, frank about irresponsibility at the personal and corporate level but more bemused than outraged. America has the biggest everything, including the biggest people. We have alternatives, but we choose what is easy.

We spend much more on food that is bad for us -- and then on diet books -- and then on treatment and lawsuits -- than we do on exercise and other ways to prevent disease. The "small" size soda in the US has the same volume as the "large" sold in other countries. Yes, companies sell us food that is not good for us -- Spurlock's doctor says that his liver has gone from perfectly healthy to "pate" -- but we are the ones who want to supersize everything, even ourselves.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: IDP Distribution
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Cast: Morgan Spurlock
Genre: Documentary
Run time: 98 minutes
Theatrical release: May 7, 2004
DVD release: September 28, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, sex and drug references, and a graphic medical procedure

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 16 parent & educator reviews:
  • 31% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Well, We watched this in biology. Our teacher would tell us "Earmuffs" when a swear was about to be uttered but none of us did it. I was laughing the whole time. This did show the negative effects of a mickey ds addiction and diet. Nothing a 12 year old cant handle. It is very educational.

 

ocie14
teen, 14 years old
 
Cool documentary, disturbing parts
This is a really well done movie. It makes you never want to eat fast food again, but the movie is kinda gross and graphic. Go Morgan Spurlock!

bdd458
teen, 15 years old
 
Great!
I saw this in Health Class. @sbdreamin You need to eat some meat other wise you will be unhealthy.

Squid Kid
kid, 13 years old
 
Tasty-Except For the Brief Cussing
This is an awesome movie, and it's all about eating healthy. It's also pretty funny, too. Mr. Spurlock's experiment clearly explains to viewers what fast food does to you on screen. Unfortunately, he says "sh*t" and "b*stard" at least once. If you can get past that, then you are ready for this nutrition lesson.

 
BORING BUT INTERISING
Ok interesting, kinda boring and the opperation scene isnt nearly as graphic as if you searched up brain surgeries n google images!!!

justinw123
kid, 13 years old
 
Good for any age
It shows you what will happen and all kids should see it. Great movie

super movie ...
teen, 15 years old
 
extremly good.
this movie is very very good. It's good in many ways the 2 main ways are it's entertaining and educational. the movie is entertaining.... well that's just my opinion some younger kids may find it down right boring. and ways it is eduacational well for one thing it teaches kids how many people in the united states are obease and over weight. IT also shows what can happen if u eat way to much mcdonalds. Overall it was a fantastic movie! I recomend to kids 11 and up!

9001
teen, 15 years old
 
Iffy for ages 14-15
This is a really eye-opening and interesting documentary. However, it has some sexual references involving sex drive, erections, male genitalia, and just sex in general. There is some very strong language: 1 use of the phrase "f*** you" (not said to someone, but used for humor in something someone is saying). There are a couple uses of the word s***. If there's any other language, I don't remember. Also, in one scene there is a very graphic medical procedure that may shock, revolt, and/or upset young children. If you're not a little kid, still proceed with caution, because that scene is very graphic.

Airconditioning
teen, 15 years old
 
Super Size a Sequel
This movie is a very good educational movie but would not hold the intrest of anyone under the age of 13 but is age apropriate for anyone 7 and over. It has some disturbing content but with the content comes the lesson of how our body works and the harmfull effects bad food has on our bodies. I have a concern with the noticeable product placement because there is alot more than what the common sense rated it. It dos not effect the rating of this movie in my opinion it is just something to be aware of. There is also a vomiting scene that is extremely graphic.

cescabel
teen, 15 years old
 
I thought the movie was good for teens and people that eat fast food.
I thought this movie was good. It was informative and taught me a lot more than just the initial problems with fast food. I feel like most people know there is an underlining issue with fast food, but don't really know the real effect. Some people say they know, but it is kind of like the saying: seeing is believing. Seeing this movie is a great way to realize that eating fast food really can hurt your overall health.

Jadenp
teen, 15 years old
 
Suggested MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some strong language, sexual content, drug content, and a strong graphic disturbing medical procedure.

iPunk
teen, 14 years old
 
This shows a different side of fast and affordable food.
Fast food. A thing that has become more and more popular. People use it for convenience but this movie shows that it's not really what it seems. It shows that fast food can be unhealthy. That's a little sad because some families are really busy and they have no choice but to use fast food. Because it's fast and affordable. There is some swearing in this movie. And some mentions of McDonalds, Burger King, and Taco Bell. As far as drugs go, there is some talking about drinking and drugs, but nobody actually does them. This is PG-13 but I loved it when I was 10. Now I wish I waited until I was 13.

smartwatcher
kid, 12 years old
 
Interesting documentary, probably good for kids to see and think about. Know your kid before viewing.
Super Size Me was very interesting. I am a particularly mature 11 year old, and I can handle the gore pretty well, so I wouldn't say this is a pick for every kid my age. It depends. It was a good movie, very thought provoking and interesting, though graphic at times. Language is mostly from Spurlock himself, especially when he's moody from overindulgence in McDonald's. It includes one f--k, some s--t, crap, and some other mild innuendo. There is a thick amount of sexual reference, such as Spurlock talking about a feeling he gets in his penis in one scene. His girlfriend talks about how the diet has affected their sexual life, including a description of how he is exhausted, so when they do have sex, she has to be "on top". He also wears a SKIN TIGHT (I am not exaggerating) speedo at the end of the movie, and his genital area is, conveniently, circled in white on a chart, while he is in the speedo. There is a really REALLY graphic stomach operation (you get to sit back, relax, and watch all that yellow fat get pulled out of his slimy red innards as the camera shoves in). I handled it fine, but it was graphic, so I would decide based on your kid for that part. There is also a scene where Morgan throws up, but it isn't shown coming out of his mouth, just splattered all over the parking lot. A rectal exam is horribly censored with a paper-thin black line.

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
An incredible documentary that never holds back on facts, black humor, and even controversy.
My rating: PG-13 for pervasive consumerism-related topics, some sexual references, strong language and a graphic scene depicting a stomach operation.

MahFriendLexi♥
kid, 11 years old
 
Educational. This is why I never eat McDonalds, and for a fact this is true and interesting.

Zachary Sohrab
parent of 14 year old
 
When I mean "bad role models" I mean the McDonalds corporation itself not anyone else! Other wise, if you're not so worried about consumerism, all you need to worry about is the medical procedure.

tiff0795
teen, 16 years old
 
Really educational
They showed this in our biology class and we really learned a lot. There are some graphic stuff in there, the one that sticks out most in my mind is when the guy throws up

Finnella Flanagan
parent of 12 and 15 year old
 
Good for 13 and up
Considering how awful the eating habits are of so many Americans, I think the iffy material is worth putting up with because of the educational value of the rest of the movie. Best viewed with your child so you can discuss the movie and get the most out of it.

 
super size me "not"
not really approprite! plus the vomit yuck

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