Review of Food, Inc. (2008) by Jeffrey L — 02 Mar 2011

Anyone who saw Super Size Me may have second thoughts about eating fast food ever again. But content there seems tolerable compared to facts revealed in Food, Inc. As gruesome truths regarding animals being slaughtered to become food for humans is told as bluntly as possible along with the dangers of eating bad meat, many viewers may become more tempted than ever to order off the vegan menu for their next meal.

Focusing on the basic meats Americans eat (primarily cows, chickens and pigs), this film works to prove a point with graphic footage of innocent animals being hacked to death on farms and then sent to meat packing plants. Matters get all the more gruesome as the film goes and moves on to showing livestock fed a certain diet their whole lives to guarantee fattier meat once they are put to death. Viewers may find themselves looking away on a frequent basis throughout this filmâ(TM)s runtime and may not look at a chicken, cow or pig the same way again. Yet, the pathos donâ(TM)t skyrocket until the mother of a deceased youngster (killed by consumption of e-coli) shares her testimony.

As a whole, the film is very informative (perhaps a little too much) and backs up their facts with good credibility and interviews with farmers and other food specialists. Though footage of animals howling as they are plucked and killed seems drastic enough, additional content regarding the dangers of eating meat cooked improperly may make even more stomachs turn. Definitely not a good movie to eat popcorn and candy with, but some may view this as a good inspiration to alter their daily routine and diet, not only for themselves but for the good of animals, as well. Also check out Fast Food Nation for another great food flick.