Super Size Me: An Analysis

Essay by katieetcHigh School, 11th gradeA-, July 2009

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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 race, age or sect. It is a film aimed squarely at a target audience defined by the larger-than-average circumference of their waistbands, and their propensity to consume fast food more regularly than is recommended by health experts.

The members of the target audience share one common bond; they are in denial about how dangerous consuming fast food on a regular basis can be. Super Size Me challenges their preconceived notions about the food industry by allowing them to witness visually, the changes which Morgan Spurlock undergoes when he partakes in what his doctor dubs a '30 day McDonalds binge'. It would be foolish to assume that the audience has no idea that fast food can be harmful before viewing the film, however, the film forces viewers to confront the issue in a very real way- watching a man quite literally wage war on his state of health. Super Size Me dredges up the viewpoints that can so easily be swept under the rug whilst standing at the counter of a fast food joint...