Review

A smash hit at the 2004 Sundance festival, Super Size Me caused a super-sized controversy. When two young girls made national headlines for suing McDonalds over their obesity, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock decided to examine just how much damage fast food can do. After consulting with, and being examined by, health experts and doctors, the very fit 6’2”, 185-pound Spurlock begins his 30-day diet, applying a handful of strict rules: he must eat three squares a day, ordering only what is available on McDonalds’ menu, and if asked to super size his meal, he must. Within mere days, Spurlock is throwing up out of his automobile’s window, and the eventual, surprising ramifications upon his physiology horrify his physicians, appall his vegan chef girlfriend, and shock the viewer. In Michael Moore fashion (with a self-punishing "Jackass" glee), Spurlock also examines the history of fast food and attempts to gain an audience with McDonalds' top brass. Colorful graphics and brisk editing add to the tastiness of this troubling must-see documentary, which will make you think twice about your next super size order of fries.

 -- Lawrence Ferber