The film has gotten a lot of attention of late, including some local news, because of Spurlock's experimental diet.  Inspired by the lawsuit against McDonald's for their responsibility in the weight-gain of two teenage girls, Spurlock chose to consume McDonald's food for breakfast, lunch and dinner over a 30-day period and examine it's affect upon his health.  This diet came with some ground rules:  He must eat only what McDonald's sells.   He must Super Size every time he is asked.  And he must not exercise, in keeping with the 60% average of Americans.  His deteriorating health is kept in check by a nutritionist and three separate doctors.  The diet is never about taste (he enjoys the food) but the health risks involved.

Though this is where the film is getting all it's attention it would be unfair to call it a stunt film beyond that famous diet.  In fact, much of the film covers many differing statistics and points of views.  Spurlock juxtaposes interviews between a thin man whose eaten two Big-Macs a day for years to Subway's beloved Jared Fogle (yes, big pants in tow) who is called an "inspiration" by a fan in the film.  Understandably, it's hard to locate someone on the pro-fast-food side beyond the plain "I like it" view.  Yet Spurlock presents an array of potential health risks, even the mental health problems related to the food we consume.

Some of the findings are surprising.  Perhaps the most disturbing moment comes when Spurlock takes a look at school lunch programs.   One suburban junior high school bares witness to its students eating nothing but fries and a Coke from their corporate-owned school lunch program.  He visits another school that uses the government-issued processed meals and finds the cook referring to a box-cutter as her cooking utensil.  In a hilarious moment, he displays the influence of fast-food by showing children a series of flash cards of famous figures.  They fail to identify Jesus but can recognize Ronald McDonald instantly.

Many reviews liken Spurlock to Michael Moore, and while it's true that stylistically Spurlock owes some debt, the film has no political agenda, only political awareness.  Rather the attempt is to look into our own responsibility in the matter.  We know it's better to eat a homemade salad than a McDonald's hamburger.  The question is how damaging that hamburger may really be for us.

Super Size Me seeks to answer that question through Spurlock's McDonald's diet.  His live-in girlfriend is seen on film and we are told that she is a vegan chef so it's safe to assume Spurlock's previous fast-food consumption was limited at best.  On the second day we see the director eating his lunch, breaking into sweat and aches, before eventually losing the entire meal out his driver side window.  Eventually his body adapts, his health deteriorates, and he has gains 25 pounds.  It's a shocking thing to witness, even to his doctors.  But it only supplements a persuasive argument he's already made.

Spurlock's film was obviously made on a shoestring budget.  The digital video photography is not the most pleasurable treat for the eyes.  There is also crude animation used to illustrate his points.  However, this is not a film looking to set itself up as an aesthetic example; you never really get more than you should expect.

Overall, the film is eye-opening and very funny.  It can be enjoyed either as a comedy or a serious commentary.  With his strong talent and sure hand it's a sure bet that this is the first of many films for Morgan Spurlock.  My guess is that many of us viewers will be visiting his next film sooner than our local McDonald's.

Scott T. Jones is a Chicago writer who fancies himself as a slacker version of Jared Fogle.

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