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When is the last time you went to McDonalds, and just dug right into a large fries, slurped a shake, or took a big bite from a Big Mac? How about ninety times in one month? We all know that junk food is bad for us and that fast food is one of the worst culprits. When two young girls tried to sue McDonalds for making them obese Morgan Spurlock asked: Is McDonalds making us fat? So he went on a thirty day McDiet to find out. What he found out is what we already know: McDonalds is not good for us. However the way in which he did it is what makes the film so compelling.

Spurlock begins by covering all his bases, and seeks the treatment of three doctors and one nutritionist; even though his vegan girlfriend looks on in disgust. Despite the raw evidence that McDonalds is unhealthy and just the basic facts Spurlock embarks on "Every eight-year-old’s dream", and after making it over the three day hump he’s well accustomed to his McDiet. He quickly starts to gain weight and experiences other health difficulties including a "whoosh feeling in his penis", but did we expect him to remain completely healthy? Despite warnings from all his doctors to stop he sticks with it.

Spurlock has received criticism that his documentary is unrealistic. Such as, spending excessive amounts of money on a single meal, eating a lot in a single meal, or guzzling down so much soda! The average American does not eat that much. However, we have to ask ourselves would we have a reaction otherwise? Would Spurlock’s diet have hit home, with the same impact? The answer is no. Americans are ignorant people and we like our junk food. We are going to try and get away with as much calories in our diet as we can rationalize in our minds. So, it is necessary for Spurlock to throw a curveball of this nature.

He has also been criticized because he only ate McDonalds. Well let’s think about it. Spurlock passed several McDonalds on his way, and there are more McDonalds than several other fast food chains combined. Plus, which fast food chain spends the most on luring its customers in? McDonalds again. So, it is necessary that Spurlock singles out the biggest bully in the crowd. In doing so he grabs our attention as the audience.

His documentary is not completely based on his McDiet. Spurlock also discusses the horrors of school lunch programs. Most of the ones he went to are unhealthy so he reveals to us how it is possible to eat healthy in school, based on the lunch program of an Appleton, WI school. In doing this he reveals the ignorance of American youth. Apparently curly fries are a vegetable, and it is extra good accompanied by cola. All the while the adults, that are supposed to be promoting good health simply turn away because it will cost too much to change it. This situation, along with the growing realization that America is a fast food nation shocks us all.

Throughout the course of the month Spurlock undoubtedly gains weight, amidst other serious problems concerning his health. He gives America the swift kick in the tail that we need. Sure, some of us will go on living our lives normally, but maybe some of us will not. Watch Spurlock’s documentary and see first hand his transformation; perhaps it will inspire a different transformation of your own.

Submitted via the Submit A Movie Review section of this site.