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DVD Review


DVD cover

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

 

Starring: Morgan Spurlock
Optimum Home Entertainment
RRP: £17.99
OPTD1378
Certificate: 12
Available 01 September 2008


If Morgan Spurlock has learned anything from over 30 years of movie-watching, it’s that if the world needs saving, it’s best done by one lone man willing to face danger head on to take it down, action hero style. So, with no military experience, knowledge or expertise, he 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...

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? is the latest documentary from Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me). It starts with Spurlock attempting to track down Osama bin Laden, but ends up showing that no matter what religion or nationality you encounter, we all have the same basic ideals and that no one wants their country to be at war with another country... well, almost no one.

Spurlock and his crew travel to Morocco, Egypt, Israel,Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and finally Pakistan - where everyone seems to believe bin Laden is hiding out. Along the way they meet normal people who explain what image America has in their country as well as showing how they are not the hate mongering nations that our media would have us believe. While Spurlock does meet the odd lunatic, the majority of people he encounters just want to live a peaceful life without any hassle.

As I mentioned in my review of Super Size Me, Spurlock's documentary style is a million miles away from Michael Moore's. While Moore's Bowling for Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11 and Sicko are great documentaries, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that Moore has his own political agenda. Moore interviews smugly, and is totally prepared before he goes into an interview - ready to attack, not listen. Spurlock, on the other hand, allows the interviewee to talk without annoyingly smug voice overs cutting in. Spurlock starts a film with an idea and sees it though to find out what the consequences are whereas Moore has a political agenda and uses his interviews to prove his theories.

Extras include Morgan Spurlock Interview (26 min, 26 sec); Deleted Scenes; and Theatrical Trailer. The deleted scenes are interesting as we get seven cut sequences including a chat with some muslim girls and an interview with the IRA's Martin McGuinness.

The only negative aspect was the inclusion of the rather silly computer game graphics. While they were amusing and well constructed, they seemed a little out of place and detracted from all movie's core focus.

Once again Spurlock takes his every man quality and attempts to educate and inform those that normally shy away from documentaries, and for that he should be applauded. Those that enjoyed Super Size Me will love this movie.

9

Darren Rea

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