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The Greatest Movie Ever Sold plays smartly to Spurlock's strengths, and the result is a breezy, albeit not particularly enlightening documentary.
All Critics (129) | Top Critics (37) | Fresh (95) | Rotten (34) | DVD (2)
It ought to be sharper. But that is not Spurlock's way, as evinced by his disappointingly self-regarding Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? Oct 14, 2011 | Rating: 3/5
It ought to be sharper. But that is not Spurlock's way, as evinced by his disappointingly self-regarding Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?
Derek Malcolm
Before this, I hadn't grasped that the notion of "product placement" is in fact passé; now it's all about "co-promotion". Oct 13, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Before this, I hadn't grasped that the notion of "product placement" is in fact passé; now it's all about "co-promotion".
Peter Bradshaw
At times, it seems like Spurlock has pulled off a minor creative coup, convincing brands to back a documentary that fundamentally questions their commercial ethics. Oct 13, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
At times, it seems like Spurlock has pulled off a minor creative coup, convincing brands to back a documentary that fundamentally questions their commercial ethics.
Ed Andrews
A robust and amusing reminder of how Hollywood's tills are topped up by third-party brands and what they get - and we lose - in return. Oct 11, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
A robust and amusing reminder of how Hollywood's tills are topped up by third-party brands and what they get - and we lose - in return.
Dave Calhoun
The bemused smile on his face may fool some people into believing he doesn't have a strong point of view, but he does: like the man from Michigan, Spurlock is a muckraker... Sep 2, 2011
The bemused smile on his face may fool some people into believing he doesn't have a strong point of view, but he does: like the man from Michigan, Spurlock is a muckraker...
Leonard Maltin
Morgan Spurlock has sold his soul to help save yours. May 20, 2011 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Morgan Spurlock has sold his soul to help save yours.
Tom Long
A fun way to learn a little more about the worlds of sponsorship and advertising, but its lack of depth will ultimately leave audiences dissatisfied. Nov 30, 2018 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
A fun way to learn a little more about the worlds of sponsorship and advertising, but its lack of depth will ultimately leave audiences dissatisfied.
Sonia Zadurian
You can see the final punchline coming from a mile away. Jesus(TM) wept. Feb 9, 2018 | Full Review…
You can see the final punchline coming from a mile away. Jesus(TM) wept.
Steve Erickson
This may not be Spurlock's best or most riveting effort, but he seems incapable of making a boring film. Mar 15, 2017 | Full Review…
This may not be Spurlock's best or most riveting effort, but he seems incapable of making a boring film.
Jean Lowerison
Not sure Spurlock is the guy who should be making this case, but hey, I don't see anybody else doing it. Jun 22, 2013 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Not sure Spurlock is the guy who should be making this case, but hey, I don't see anybody else doing it.
Will Leitch
The real public service here is learning how these companies protect themselves in the contracts that Spurlock signs to get them to sponsor his movie -- chilling. Jan 15, 2013 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
The real public service here is learning how these companies protect themselves in the contracts that Spurlock signs to get them to sponsor his movie -- chilling.
Roger Moore
And like Spurlock's other works, among all the laughs and gimmicks, he occasionally scores a moment that floors you. Oct 24, 2012 | Full Review…
And like Spurlock's other works, among all the laughs and gimmicks, he occasionally scores a moment that floors you.
Cara Nash
Another exhibition for Morgan Spurlock to shock and awe, this film does an impressive job of showing the groveling of getting sponsors for big budget blockbusters, and the reach of advertising within the film and television medium. The first section of the film is slow and meandering as it describes the entire plot to the rest of the film, which doesn't sound all too exciting either. His meetings with companies, relentless phone calls, and profiteering off of profiteering wasn't all too new or riveting. Spurlock is entertaining when it comes to fleshing out his ideas for his films and television shows,. Still, there is this smugness that comes off him in waves, and really he's the face of the documentary, though it just as easily could have been solely about the subject matter. The use of product placement and tie-ins, footage from commercials and interviews, and Spurlock selling himself while questioning his own motives was insightful and gave us the flawed perspective of the real artist minds behind the view of product placement and vertical integration within films. The best aspects of the film were when Spurlock directly interviews directors, bands, and shows just how far the outreach of commericalization has gotten to the masses in every kind of media. The humor in it was often underplayed compared to the trailer, but works well with Spurlock. It's his ease that sells the film, his huge hand in the direction and production evident from his ideas for commercials within the film, his performance a true salesman in action. Really it made me think about how often dialogue is forced and situations are faked for money. It also got me to see what POM was, and now I want to try it ever so badly.
Super Reviewer
Ralph Nader: You can satirize and spoof yourself out of your objective. Out of this film may come a transformed, commercialized, corporatized Morgan Spurlock. And you'll never be able to shake that identity. That's your peril. That's your challenge.
Very interesting if you're interested in the subject, but it's more "calls attention to the issue" than "explores it in depth"
Morgan Spurlock: Where should I be able to go; where I don't see any bit of advertising? Ralph Nader: To sleep. "He's not selling out, he's buying in." I'm a big fan of Morgan Spurlock. I have loved everything I've seen from him; from Super Size Me to his show 30 Days. He always has interesting ideas, which combined with his presence and personality, always make for a fun experience. POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold may be his most interesting and brilliant ideas. I love it. A movie about advertising and product placement, that is completely funded by advertising and product. There are a shit load of products used in the film. It uses commercials and clips from movies to show how product placement is done. Spurlock goes around presenting his ideas to different companies and when they say they're in; he makes a point to advertise their products. He goes as far as to put some commercials for the products in the film. Everything works and entertains. He shows the ins and outs of product placement incredibly well. Spurlock talks to filmmakers about their experiences with big companies. He speaks with musicians about their songs being used in advertisements. He gets Ok Go to create a song for the film. There's nothing he really leaves untouched. He gets an air line, a drink, a shampoo, a shoe company, a clothing company and a deodorant; all of which are advertised throughout the movie in cool little ways. Every piece of information the film gives is really interesting. He goes through the whole process from pitching the idea, to getting commercial spots on education television. He gets famous poster creators to design his posters. It's all just spot on. And POM, I must say; your choice to back the film was a good one because now, I just really want to try POM.
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