Approximately 2 years ago, I was searching for resources on a plant-based diet. I came across a film that was set to be released in early 2018 called “Game Changers” and I was ecstatic. Boasting names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, James Cameron, and Chris Paul, I knew this one was going to be big! I waited patiently for the release date and it kept getting pushed back over and over again. I was frustrated but kept waiting.
Finally, in September of this year, the film was released. Even though it was released in theaters just a few days after I gave birth to my sweet baby, we decided to go anyway!
I thoroughly enjoyed Game Changers. In fact, I would go as far as to say it is my favorite plant-based documentary. Everyone should see it, but this film is most convincing for men. Its focus on athletes and strength is extremely compelling. Following some of the greatest athletes in the world across a number of different sports, it was impossible to ignore the dietary impacts on their performance.
Data Focused
Perhaps one of the more refreshing aspects of the film was its focus on data and research. Across the bottom left-hand corner of the screen you can see hundreds of studies that back up the claims made.
This is important because a number of other health documentaries out there make a number of claims that have little to no scientific backing. This film goes above and beyond with providing riveting scientific evidence for a plant-based diet, but also incredible anecdotal examples as well.
Plants Lead To Better Erections
One of my favorite scenes may not be suitable for kids, as it focuses on genitalia. It doesn’t show anything, but the discussion might make some people uncomfortable. If this offends you, you can skip minutes 0:52:00 – 0:56:36. However, this scene is a powerful testament to the importance of diet for blood flow. It begins around 52 minutes into the film, where they take 3 college athletes and compare their nightly erections after their meat dinner and erections after a plant-based dinner. The results that they present are incredible and quite shocking.
I find this intriguing because of the larger implications. An erection is more than just a sexual function, it is an indication of heart health. If the arteries to the penis are not properly functioning, that is the first sign of an impending heart problem. This scene is extremely compelling to men and is a great visual that many can relate to. As the doctor explains, this is a must-watch for “people who have penises, or for people who like people who have penises.”
Strong Language Warning
Viewer beware, there are 4 F-words scattered throughout the movie. Those with children and teenagers may want to edit the following expletives:
- At 0:20:45 Directly after a boxer wins a fight the referee holds his arm in the air
- At 1:09:07 The Australian anti-poacher begins talking about how “gorillas don’t eat meat”
- At 1:17:31, Arnold Schwarzenegger says it twice in the same comment
Overall, I think this is truly the best plant-based nutrition documentary that I have seen. Every person that watches it will be compelled to rethink their food choices. No matter who you are and where you are currently at in your health journey, I highly recommend watching The Game Changers. It can be found on Netflix, Vimeo, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play, and iTunes.
