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| Available at Amazon.com |
When it comes to making a documentary, Michael Moore has nothing on Morgan Spurlock. Whereas Moore just shills his radical leftist agenda and shoots for easy targets, you’d never see him in the slums of Morocco discussing radical Islam with moderate Muslims. And that’s part of what Spurlock did in Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden., his lighthearted at times look at the world in which we live in.
Spurlock, about to become a father, set out to see if he could do what the CIA, various militaries and world-class bounty hunters have failed to do: capture Osama Bin Laden, the world’s biggest scumbag. Instead of just postulating and adding in whacky cartoons and pop culture references, Spurlock goes out into the world with no strings attached. Going into some of the world’s worst places, Spurlock ventures into the world to find out both sides of the story as his quest for Osama turns into a quest to see how the world could get better.
It’s interesting, but Spurlock does the thing that Moore does to about the same degree in that he wants to present his opinion but seemingly is trying to present both sides. He wants to come out and say what he wants to say but stops short. It’s interesting at times when he just lets the camera roll and catch people being honest, without any editing. He finds a way to keep it fresh and bring out some humorous and interesting insights into the world.
Spurlock manages to keep it entertaining throughout, using animation spoofing the video game Mortal Kombat on occasion, to break up segments. His honesty in certain areas is something to behold; he interviews two students in Saudi Arabia, clearly stating that they were handpicked and they had various administrators around them, and it’s clear they can’t give their opinion. When it comes to their teachings of Israel in Saudi Arabia, the discussion is halted immediately. It sheds more light into the subject than anything he could say, as the brief moment is eye-opening.
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? has an interesting title, and has some interesting music to it as well. Spurlock has taken a lot of original pieces modeled after some famous songs and inserted them throughout the film, making it an interesting spectacle of sorts.
It doesn’t mean it’s a terrific documentary by any means, but it is an entertaining one at that. It’s an interesting look at world affairs, if a biased one, and is thought-provoking on what it explores.
Presented in a Dolby Digital format with a widescreen presentation, the film has perhaps the best presentation it can for a documentary presentation. The audio is crisp and clear while the pictures come through clean no matter which camera they use.
There’s a series of Extended Interviews included from Spurlock’s travels. They’re interesting to see, as Spurlock’s interviewing style comes through much clearer.
There’s an Alternate Ending included as well. It’s easy to see why they chose the one they did, as it’s a bit less preachy than this one.
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The Weinstein Company presents Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?. Directed by Morgan Spurlock. Starring Morgan Spurlock. Written by Morgan Spurlock and Jeremy Chilinick. Running time: 93 minutes. Rated PG-13. Released on DVD: August 26, 2008. Available at Amazon.com.
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