Armed with only a video camera and not-so-comprehensive round of survival training, Super Size Me director Morgan Spurlock goes to the Middle East to discuss the current War on Terror. From Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan, Israel to Pakistan, the filmmaker traverses the region speaking with scholars, experts, politicians and everyday ordinary people all in quest to find out what "they" think about "us" and why those assessments should matter.

I loved Spurlock's hit piece on McDonald's, Super Size Me. Not only was it both edifying and horrific, it was also shocking and entertaining, the Michael Moore wannabe has an easygoing smile and laidback attitude almost impossible to resist.

It is surprising then, in a way, that I disliked the director's latest effort, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?, as much as I did. Not only does the film's subject matter appeal to my own personal sensibilities, I just also happen to feel any deep introspective look at the United States' hand in Middle Eastern political uncertainties should be required viewing no matter what a person's own liberal or conservative leanings.

Unfortunately, this just isn't that kind of movie. Instead of a meaningful conversation, Spurlock seems more interested in making himself some acerbically ironic folksy American tourist than he does anything else. It didn't seem like I learned a darn thing I didn't either already know or predisposed long before I watched the darn thing, and by the time it was over I was more than a tad confused as to what the director's actual point really wanted to be.

Don't get me wrong. The film goes down relatively smoothly and is extremely easy to watch. It flows well and doesn't overstay its welcome. Some of the interviews (especially early on) are actually quite engaging, and for low budget piece made on the fly the project's level of quality is really quite impressive.

The newly released DVD offers up an Alternate Ending that's really no better than the real one, full-length interviews with Israeli President Shimon Peres, former IRA leader Marin McGuinness, and Egypt's democracy activist Saad Ibahim (the last of which is extremely worthwhile) and reasonably entertaining and educational featurettes including an animated history of Afghanistan and on being a woman in Saudi Arabia. Finally, there is a truly horrid short set in the Watergate Hotel's parking garage that's really nothing more than a laundry list of everything the movie should have been about but isn't, told with a winking heavy hand that obviously thinks it’s much cuter than it actually is.

This just isn't a very good documentary. It's too unfocused and never delivers on the promise in its premise. Worse, Spurlock proves to be his own worst enemy, and as much as loved him in Super Size Me I couldn't wait to be rid of the guy after watching this. I didn't like it, and of all the docs I've seen so far this year Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? is without question the most disappointing.

Related post categories: Home Video News, Reviews : DVD, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

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