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Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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45

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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6.2

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6.2	Your Score
6.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Ratings

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Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?

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Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?

Movie Details & Credits

Weinstein Company, The | Release Date: April 18, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Morgan Spurlock

Summary: If Morgan Spurlock has learned anything from more than 30 years of movie-watching, it's that if the world needs saving, it's best done by one lonely guy willing to face danger head-on and take it down, action hero style. In Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker takes on a franchise even more lethal thanIf Morgan Spurlock has learned anything from more than 30 years of movie-watching, it's that if the world needs saving, it's best done by one lonely guy willing to face danger head-on and take it down, action hero style. In Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker takes on a franchise even more lethal than McDonald's--Al Qaeda. And after this real-life action thriller is over, the world may never be the same. So, with no military experience, knowledge, or expertise, he sets off to do what the CIA, FBI, and US military have all 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 bin Laden, he first needs to learn where he came from and the environment and influences that shaped him. 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 experiencing their cultures in ways 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. Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? goes beyond shedding light on the one man that has shaped the world's perception of a region and its people. Spurlock risks life and limb to uncover the truth about bin Laden, and in doing so explores the lines that divide, those that unite, and the countless shades of grey between. (Weinstein Company)… Expand

Director: Morgan Spurlock

Genre(s): Comedy, War, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 90 min

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Metascore

Critic Reviews

70

Los Angeles Times

Michael Ordona

Filmmaker-gadfly Morgan Spurlock is back with the warm, amusing -- and decidedly mistitled -- "Where in the World Is Osama bin Laden?" Read full review

67

Austin Chronicle

Josh Rosenblatt

So kudos to Spurlock for going into enemy territory and coming back with the message that there really is no enemy territory. It almost – almost – makes up for the fact that Where in the World is marred by one of the worst endings in movie history. Read full review

63

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

Could as easily be called "Spurlock: Cultural Learnings Of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of America." Read full review

50

The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Jason McBride

Exasperating and goofy documentary. Read full review

50

Washington Post

Stephen Hunter

In casbahs and desert villages, in kibbutzim and around the campfire, Spurlock has a way of getting people to open up, to use their real voices and express their real opinions, the likes of which never make it onto network news. That's his gift, and when he uses it, "Where in the World zzzzz-zzzz" opens up into a miraculous document. Read full review

42

Baltimore Sun

Michael Sragow

This movie is a case of arthouse bait and switch. Its true subject is one decent Yank's desire to believe that Everyman and Everywoman - Everywhere! - are as warm and amiable as your average American Joe: him, Morgan Spurlock, the regular guy as fearless globetrotter. Read full review

25

San Francisco Chronicle

Peter Hartlaub

A film so self-centered that even the director's most dedicated stalkers might find it a bit too narcissistic. Read full review

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User Reviews

10

TJJ

Apr 24, 2008

I think Roy B voted for Bush so I blame him for the mess we're in. He missed the whole point of the movie much like Bush missed whole point of intelligence. This movie reminds us of the culture that created bin Laden and we must understand that before we can win against the extremists.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

10

DennisB.

Apr 21, 2008

Wicked funny and very smart, Morgan Spurlock's unique style uses humor, a'la Supersize, Me to as a vehicle to present his take on the search for the one person most responsible for U.S foreign policy direction in the 21st century.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

9

ChristianB.

Oct 2, 2008

Spurlock does it again. I like him a lot more than Michael Moore nowadays. Spurlock puts himself on the line and you got to respect that. His latest is both entertaining and enlighting. And people who think this actually is about finding Osama will be disappointed. That's just a Spurlock does it again. I like him a lot more than Michael Moore nowadays. Spurlock puts himself on the line and you got to respect that. His latest is both entertaining and enlighting. And people who think this actually is about finding Osama will be disappointed. That's just a brilliant excuse to do this sort of documentary that otherwise would have had a hard time keeping the story together. The point of this documentary was very clear to me in the end. Ordinary people live everywhere in the world. Even in "enemy territory". And that's what you miss out on when you watch Fox News 24/7.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

6

ChadS.

May 4, 2008

The filmmaker knew beforehand when his baby was due, but he went ahead with his trip to the Middle East anyway. In a motel room, it's sharing time; only now does the filmmaker have second thoughts about his globetrotting in potentially hostile territory, while the stateside wife goes The filmmaker knew beforehand when his baby was due, but he went ahead with his trip to the Middle East anyway. In a motel room, it's sharing time; only now does the filmmaker have second thoughts about his globetrotting in potentially hostile territory, while the stateside wife goes it alone and holds the fort during her time of need. And we see his wife, in "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden", as a way of manipulating the audience. The general conceit behind this, yes, Michael Moore-like documentary, is that he's going to capture the Taliban head honcho in order to make the world a safer place for his unborn child. We're supposed to empathize with both the expectant father- and mother-to-be, because a higher calling(he's going to save the world) has torn them apart. Late in the film, the filmmaker takes a few steps towards the camera, and says, "It's just not worth it." He returns stateside. He's there, we're there, too, for their big day. Not only does "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden" feel calculated from the start, there's a narcissism that would be absolutely intolerable if it wasn't for the genuine likability of the filmmaker. His personal matters are both extraneous, and unnecessary, in lieu of his wonderful ability to get an assortment of people to open up and share their personal experiences and opinions about life in a war zone. "Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden" faintly recalls Mark Moskowitz's "Stone Reader", the 2002 documentary about a book lover's quest to track down a one-and-done novelist named Dow Mossman, who wrote an obscure book called "The Stones of Summer". Moskowitz could've used a search engine to find his subject, but he just wanted an excuse to talk with people about books. Bin Laden is the filmmaker's excuse to converse with strangers in strange lands. To hear what these strangers say, despite the filmmaker's pandering to gamers(and people who wouldn't like old-school documentary filmmaking), is the main reason to see this flawed, but important, pop non-fiction film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

6

JayH.

Aug 18, 2008

I liked the various cultures and areas of the middle east where Morgan Spurlock explored and visited and the various opinions from those areas. But Spurlock's focus on Osama Bin Laden misses the mark and seems rather pointless. It's still interesting throughout.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

2

RoyB.

Apr 21, 2008

I went to this movie expecting to be entertained. I also knew it was a lighthearted take on current affairs, so I knew the point was to have some entertainment value on a hugely serious topic. I was neither enlightened nor entertained. I'm all for new fresh takes on serious subjects, I went to this movie expecting to be entertained. I also knew it was a lighthearted take on current affairs, so I knew the point was to have some entertainment value on a hugely serious topic. I was neither enlightened nor entertained. I'm all for new fresh takes on serious subjects, even using humor when it's creative. But seriously, folks, this movie felt like it was done by a first grader. There was nothing really gained from this movie. I could've squeezed more wisdom, freshness, or provocative thoughts from an orange. It was somewhat disturbing to see the director/star so thrilled to be firing a rocket launcher. Doesn't he know that these are the same weapons that kill people, that others use so brazenly as well? All in all, a why-did-I-see-this-movie movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

0

GeorgeV.

Apr 21, 2008

Just a few words will sum it up: Dumb. Moronic. Glosses over everything. No depth. Stupid. Treats the audience like a bunch of pre schoolers. So many things wrong with this movie. Too many to list. I haven't been to a movie this stupid since--well Disney cartoons are lightyears smarter Just a few words will sum it up: Dumb. Moronic. Glosses over everything. No depth. Stupid. Treats the audience like a bunch of pre schoolers. So many things wrong with this movie. Too many to list. I haven't been to a movie this stupid since--well Disney cartoons are lightyears smarter than this gloop.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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