Super Frat

Morgan Spurlock, the director of Super Size Me, is back with another interesting and thought-provoking documentary.  The Greatest Movie Ever Sold is a documentary about product placement in movies that follows Morgan as he raises the product placement for the movie you’re actually watching.

This behind-the-scenes look takes you through the corporate meetings as Spurlock examines how the media works and how the media impacts us.  It’s also sort of a non-narrative version of constantly raising the stakes.  Is he selling out?  Does this move justify it?  Does this?  Are we seeing entertainment or a 90 minute commercial?

Spurlock tries to keep it as subversive as possible and succeeds on several levels.  Super Size Me was a little cheekier, more personal.  Greatest is more refined.  Slick, but not too slick.

One of the most interesting moments is when he visits San Paolo and shows you how the city banned all outdoor advertising.  That footage alone is worth the price of admission.  After seeing the NYC skyline choked with ads, it’s weird to see a skyline completely devoid of them.  And, without the advertising, it seems that the vendors are forced to concentrate on better products, better service and word of mouth.  Interesting.

It’s definitely one to see and probably will have some fascinating extras on the DVD.  I say go see it.  I give the Greatest Movie Ever Sold 8.5 keggers out of 10.