Movie Reviews: WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN?
ON DVD
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN?
With no military experience, knowledge or expertise, filmmaker Morgan Spurlock sets off to do what the CIA, FBI and countless bounty hunters have failed to do: find the world's most wanted man. Why take on such a seemingly impossible mission? Simple--he wants to make the world safe for his soon to be born child. But before he finds Osama bin Laden, he first needs to learn where he came from, what makes him tick, and most importantly, what exactly created bin Laden to begin with. Following bin Laden's trail through some of the most dangerous places in the world, Spurlock encounters both the rational and the radical faces of the Middle East. He interviews many people who embrace him on the streets and welcome him into their homes, often gaining impressions that sharply contrast with the conventional media images of the region. Spurlock finds they're not that different from American families, sharing the same hopes and fears for their children that he has for his own.
Cast: Morgan Spurlock
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Opened April 18, 2008
Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.
PG-13 some strong language
Genres: Culture & Society, Politics & Government
Review:
Morgan Spurlock has shown that he has no problem with putting himself in danger, eating at McDonald's for 30 days in Super Size Me is proof that, and he doesn't mind playing the guinea pig, as he does in his FX TV show 30 days, in order to drive home a message. First off Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? isn't about actually finding Bin Laden, it the story of Spurlock traveling through a handful of Middle Eastern countries and exploring the differences and similarities there in. The film isn't overly political but it does display distaste for the Bush regime and its actions but it never screams it at you throughout like Fahrenheit 9/11. Spurlock is more concerned with the people he encounters at his various stops and exploring the causes of religious radicalism that has lead to the expansion of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Exploring some of the poorest areas of the Middle East could have served for some incredibly dense subject matter but Spurlock only touches on them in passing, never exploring the issues to a greater issue. The film has a different message and it doesn't want to linger too long on other issues too long. Spurlock is more interested in showing that regardless of race, religion and country we are all the same and want the same things for ourselves and families. It's a solid message but hardly anything groundbreaking or trailblazing. Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? doesn't find Bin Laden but does a decent job of exploring some geopolitical issues in very user friendly terms for the uninformed. Think of it as reading the Cliff Notes as opposed to reading War and Peace.
C+
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