 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Super Size Me
- Review Date: September 26, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Documentary
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Fascinating documentary on American fast food.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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!
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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.
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AGE
Good for any age
It shows you what will happen and all kids should see it. Great movie
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AGE
Great!
I saw this in Health Class. @sbdreamin You need to eat some meat other wise you will be unhealthy.
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AGE
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!!!
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AGE
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!
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AGE
Suggested MPAA Rating:
PG-13 for some strong language, sexual content, drug content, and a strong graphic disturbing medical procedure.
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AGE
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.
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| Studio: | IDP Distribution |
| Director: | Morgan Spurlock |
| Cast: | Morgan Spurlock |
| Genre: | Documentary |
| Run time: | 98 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 7, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | September 28, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | language, sex and drug references, and a graphic medical procedure |
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