Review of That Sugar Film (2014) by Héliø L — 09 Jan 2016

Australia's number one documentary of all time at the local box office is a sugar-coated Super Size Me faithful devotee that will do wonders for your children with its telling of truths you probably already knew of.

But the suggestions that sugar will make Aboriginal communities extinct and that the sweet stuff may very well be the source of runaway consumer capitalism are a little too far-fetched for a film that mashes up dad jokes with the comments of its experts, some of them quite questionable.

Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry take up a few seconds of screen time to help sweeten this silly educational exercise that also includes a comic That Sugar Song music video and a strangely haunting scene of very happy kids eating fruit only and drinking water only at a party.

Exaggerations aside, this is a nice addition to the food-doc shelf and one that appeals to the whole family with its fine use of graphics and animation. Too many anecdotes and not enough facts, but this sort of propaganda is welcome considering my colossal appetite for red velvet cupcakes.

Director Damon Gameau has become a popular militant for the cause raising funds for the Mai Wiru community depicted in the film, selling healthy recipe books and producing free educational videos for schools.

Avoid consuming any food or drink while watching this, trust me.