Super Size Me - Movie Review Example

 Although especially in the United States, the omnipresent hamburger chain has been around for a long time, it was sociologist George Ritzer who in 1996 coined the phrase 'McDonaldization' in his book "The McDonaldization of Society".

It refers not only to food but to a number of different areas. This "sweeping through seemingly impervious institutions " (Ritzer 1996) has had its impact upon diverse institutions. It is part of a massive bureaucratization of everyday life which leads to a progressive standardization (Ritzer1993). The hamburger is not only consumed physically as a material substance but is consumed culturally as an image and an icon of a particular way of life (Featherstone). The awful revelation made by "Super Size Me" of the increase in obesity in America and, more importantly, the influence of fast food on popular culture was often difficult to take on board.

For instance, more people had a more difficult time remembering the Pledge of Allegiance than the McDonald's advertising jingle referring to the ingredients of a Big Mac, and most children were able to identify a photo of Ronald McDonald much faster than photos of George Washington and even Jesus Christ. Although this movie purports to be a documentary, it is more of a personal video journal about a man who sets out to do something clever and interesting that in fact turns out to be stupid and foolish, and in a way, could be regarded as shock journalism.

Many of the paintings on the chapter title cards are quite startling and use pop culture icons such as Ronald McDonald in perturbing ways to illustrate the bizarre and gloomy side of our consumer culture. Spurlock has captured a pop culture trend on film but in tackling the subject of America's obsession with fast foods, it is difficult to go for a black and white picture; the actual picture is a more complicated one. We must be aware and learn from the world of the golden arches, to be circumspect of the downside, and to be optimistic that we can make the distinction in time.