Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? (2008) Directed by Morgan Spurlock

 

With more wasted potential than an Amy Winehouse concert, this film certainly left me disappointed. After the success of Super Size Me, where Spurlock took on the capitalist giant that is McDonald’s, I was expecting some real investigative journalism, some seriously hard-hitting facts, and some…depth?

 

See the problem when someone like Spurlock builds up a reputation for exposing one of the world’s largest companies – and single-handedly tarnishing their reputation beyond repair – is that we’re all waiting to see who he destroys next … but no such luck here

 

. Instead of seizing the opportunity to take on the mythical bogeyman that is Osama Bin Laden and delve into the very idea of this super evil, all powerful cave dweller - perhaps even looking at the propaganda machine that furthers his image - Spurlock goes off in search of finding the man.

 

Is this guy serious?

 

And it had to be the tip of the cringe-o-meter when Spurlock used dinky little cartoon characters to explain the history of U.S support for corrupt Middle Eastern dictators. Yes there are people out there that don’t know Osama Bin Laden was trained by the U.S to fight off Soviet troops, but seeing it all in South Park style cartoon characters felt beyond belittling. And since when did Pakistan become part of the Middle East mate?

 

I mean what kind of audience is he aiming this at?

 

Clearly one who’ll be satisfied with his closing comment of “ So Muslims are just like us”. Wow Mr Spurlock. That’s deep.

 

Aside from the simplistic motive behind this film (did you really think you’d find him? Did you?) and the patronising monologue towards the end, this film does have good intentions and did pull in a few laughs. After all, who wouldn’t find the sight of old Osama dancing to MC Hammer’s Cant Touch This hilarious?

 

Overall verdict:

Do watch this if you want some *extremely* light entertainment. Don’t watch this if you want to be enlightened and are expecting some revealing truths. 2 out of 5

 

INQ blots Fav scene:

 

Spurlock asks an old Afghan man: “Where’s Osama?” Man: “Who’s Osama?” Translator: “The guy who flew them planes into buildings in America” Man: “Ah fuck Osama. And fuck America too”

Review by Mariam Sheikh