Review of Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden? (2008) by Eoin H — 15 Sep 2008

Morgan Spurlock hit the jackpot with a huge debut. However, he's run into the sophomore slump as his newest offering has remained almost completely under the radar. While his latest doc certainly has its problems, it doesn't deserve to be so overlooked.

First, let's dispense with the problems: the premise is completely disingenuous as anyone truly searching for Osama would not just go up and ask people on the street, he leaves his wife while she is pregnant to go on a mission that he later decides isn't worth it, he goes into a controlled interview with some students which only puts them at risk of getting in serious trouble and he should know better, he seems to be getting a disproportionate number of interviews with people who like the United States without any proof that his research is representative, he shakes his head in agreement to statements he hasn't even heard the translation for yet, and more minor problems.

Despite this, there are some moments which redeem the film a bit: the video game sequence is hilarious, some of the information is good, especially that which disproves the argument that terrorism has decreased since 9/11 and that Bush's policies are working, and there are genuine people in the film who help put a human face on this destructive war.

The film is entertaining and well-paced, but not very trenchant.