Finally caught Super Size Me last night, and the verdict is: meh. It was definitely interesting, and Morgan Spurlock was funny throughout, but I really don’t see the big deal. I got the feeling that this movie really opened eyes, but I just didn’t see anything new or shocking. I certainly enjoyed watching the movie, but as a documentary it was not the amazingly brilliant, earth-shattering message that it’s been made out to be.
When I worked at NetTech, it was only three or four guys originally working out of a basement in the ‘burbs. The nearest shopping center had a Wendy’s, a Burger King, a Chinese place, and a pizza place. We typically alternated amongst them when we weren’t out job sites. It was also common for us to hit a Mickey D’s or BK out on the road, but all the time. At the worst I’d say that I ate fast food anywhere from 2 to 4 lunches a week. Outside of that I’d hit one for dinner maybe once or twice a month. And guess what? It made me feel like crap. It wasn’t surprising in the least, but it’s what we did. And if we hadn’t all been in fairly good shape, it probably wouldn’t have gone on that long. But every so often we would make the effort and cut down, and guess what? We’d feel better.
Well, maybe not Doug. I think he actually needed Popeye’s at least once again for his metabolism.
These days I really cut down on the whole fast food experience, because I’ve known since I was a little boy that it was bad for me. Just go out to a nice place and get a real burger. You know, the ones that cost $5.99 instead of 89 cents. If you honestly think they were made in the same way, you’re nuts.
This is somewhat scattered, but I’m having trouble trying to organize all of my thoughts here. I didn’t dislike the movie, and I certainly don’t think Spurlock was trying to blame America’s obesity problems strictly on Mickey D’s, but I also don’t think he really made much of a point. Well, aside from the one that if you eat crap for 30 days straight, it will be bad for you. Thanks, I figured that one out about 20 years ago.
I’m not trying to excuse some of the crappy standards that fast food companies operate under, but then again it’s called FAST food for a reason – the health and quality of it sure ain’t the major selling point. But come on folks, it’s not that hard to NOT supersize a meal. I’m glad that people are trying to be healthier, but it’s funny when people act like this kind of crap is just plain evil. Sure it is, just like bread.
Somedays I feel like I’m the only person who’s ever heard of a little thing called “moderation.”