RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? (2008)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
37 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:97

Fresh:36

Rotten:61

Average Rating:4.9/10

Consensus: Morgan Sprulock's doc offers occasional insights but gets bogged down by the director/subject's gimmicky schtick.

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for some strong language.

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Education/General Interest

Theatrical Release:Apr 18, 2008 Limited

Box Office: $264,438

Synopsis: Documentarian Morgan Spurlock rocketed to fame after daring to take on the fast food industry in the entertaining and much-lauded SUPERSIZE ME. For his follow-up, Spurlock wades back into... Documentarian Morgan Spurlock rocketed to fame after daring to take on the fast food industry in the entertaining and much-lauded SUPERSIZE ME. For his follow-up, Spurlock wades back into controversial waters, and attempts something even more dangerous than a month of eating Big Macs: he decides to hunt down the globe's foremost terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. When the film opens, Spurlock has just learned that his wife, Alex, is pregnant. Using this news as a springboard, he decides he must hunt down the "world's most dangerous man" in order to guarantee the safety of his new child. Thus begins Spurlock's journey into some of the most wartorn and perilous places on the globe: Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Spurlock travels from country to country, popping into mosques, fundamentalist Muslim schools, shantytowns, army bases, the Gaza strip, and the local mall, asking everyone along the way if they might know where he can find Osama. The provocative question never fails to elicit an interesting response, and Spurlock uses it to open up a dialogue about the people's feelings and attitudes toward America and the war on terror. Throughout the film, Spurlock comes across as one of the most genial fellows you could ever meet, and his good-natured charm goes a long way in getting interviews with people who might otherwise become hostile when smirkingly asked, "Where's Osama?" Some viewers might find fault with Spurlock's rather gimmicky, stunt man techniques, but others might enjoy his light approach to such a complex and heavy issue. While the film will undoubtedly spark a few heated debates, one thing is for certain: Spurlock does nice job of removing some of the mystery that surrounds the Middle East. He creates a very human portrait of the people, and reminds us that, at the end of the day, we are perhaps not so different. [More]

Director: Morgan Spurlock

Director: Morgan Spurlock
Screenwriter: Jeremy Chilnick, Morgan Spurlock
Producer: Jeremy Chilnick, Stacey Offman, Morgan Spurlock
Composer: Jon Spurney
Studio: Weinstein Company

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
    "Number 1 Enemy" TV Spot
    >
    "Controversial" TV Spot
    >
    Morgan Spurlock
    >
1 - 4 of 4

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Aug 26, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Oscar-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock sets out on his own to
  • find the world's most elusive fugitive, venturing hilariously into the unfamiliar
  • Middle East.
  • *2008 Theatrical Release
  • *Oscar-Nominated Morgan Spurlock- Super Size Me
  • Source: Genius Productions Inc.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by source)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    So shallow and silly that it makes reading The Nation seem like the deepest kind of bliss.

    Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment Comment
    04/24/08
    Tim Brayton
    Tim Brayton
    Antagony & Ecstasy

    As he jets from place to place, he provides glib, oversimplified tidbits about Mideast history along the way.

    Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
    04/16/08
    Christy Lemire
    Christy Lemire
    Associated Press
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Kudos to Spurlock for going into enemy territory and coming back with the message that there really is no enemy territory.

    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Josh Rosenblatt
    Josh Rosenblatt
    Austin Chronicle

    Where In The World is a conversation-starter for ADD-stricken adolescents who can't bear to think about one thing for too long, or too deeply.

    Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
    04/17/08
    Tasha Robinson
    Tasha Robinson
    AV Club

    A come-on in search of a movie, Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?

    Full Review Source: Baltimore Sun | comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Michael Sragow
    Michael Sragow
    Baltimore Sun

    Spurlock and his team of collaborators never find the movie amid all their material. If he's a questionable journalist and a poor detective, he's an even more woeful filmmaker.

    Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Wesley Morris
    Wesley Morris
    Boston Globe
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
    04/23/09
    Tom Meek
    Tom Meek
    Boston Phoenix

    A nearly note-perfect anthem for virtually everything about American policy it seeks to critique.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Ray Greene
    Ray Greene
    Boxoffice Magazine

    Remember the wise old saying about the journey being more important than the destination? Spurlock no doubt prays you do, because from the outset of his search-and-destroy gimmick, the journey is the only authentic part.

    Full Review Source: BrandonFibbs.com | comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Brandon Fibbs
    Brandon Fibbs
    BrandonFibbs.com

    It's impossible to take Morgan Spurlock seriously as a big-screen documentarian. Clearly he comes from the Michael Moore school of "infotainment," only without the sharp wit or, frankly, compelling subject matters.

    Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
    04/17/08
    Brian Orndorf
    Brian Orndorf
    BrianOrndorf.com

    Obviously, we would have heard if he'd found the guy, and obviously, no film was really going to get to that point. So it makes its point a different way and ends up explaining what it's really about, and that's fine.

    Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment 1 Comment
    04/18/08
    Fred Topel
    Fred Topel
    Can Magazine

    It's a little insulting to all the real reporters who've died in the field looking for hard information, not weak indie comedy.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
    04/21/08
    J. R. Jones
    J. R. Jones
    Chicago Reader

    A superficial primer for people who aren't likely to go see it in the first place.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    06/27/08
    Jim Emerson
    Jim Emerson
    Chicago Sun-Times

    Morgan Spurlock is a living, breathing cautionary tale. Take a good, long look, kids: This is what happens when society validates really annoying people.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Jessica Reaves
    Jessica Reaves
    Chicago Tribune

    Morgan Spurlock is a jokester politico in the Michael Moore vein, and his latest documentary is a low concept posing as a high concept.

    Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
    04/18/08
    Peter Rainer
    Peter Rainer
    Christian Science Monitor

    Dependent on a gimmick which is feels like a death sentence Spurlock spends the entire movie trying to dodge.

    Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com | comment Comment
    01/22/08
    Joshua Tyler
    Joshua Tyler
    CinemaBlend.com

    ... While Spurlock may not actually answer the question of where, he actually tackles, with humor, probing wit and a certain grace, the much more important question of why.

    Full Review Source: Cinematical | comment Comment
    02/23/08
    James Rocchi
    James Rocchi
    Cinematical

    Makes Michael Moore look like Marcel Ophüls

    Full Review Source: CinePassion | comment Comment
    08/26/09
    Fernando F. Croce
    Fernando F. Croce
    CinePassion

    Complicated global problems require something a bit more challenging than this.

    Full Review Source: CNN.com | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Tom Charity
    Tom Charity
    CNN.com

    Sadly, the subject matter might not make this the kind of movie that anyone would rush out to see, but it's a successful effort at informing while entertaining.

    Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
    04/15/08
    Edward Douglas
    Edward Douglas
    ComingSoon.net
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by source)
    Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
    all

    Latest News for Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

    August 25, 2008: RT on DVD: Watch Uwe Boll Box Critic, Heroes Season Two Clips
    It's a good week to catch up on your favorite shows before the new TV season begins (Heroes Season Two) and a good week to satisfy your curiosity for a certain guilty pleasure... More...

    July 30, 2008: Spurlock draws some weird paternal parallels, subconscious or not, between Osama as the fugitive founding father of Al Qaeda, and his own possibly wayward, pre-partum depression, stressed situation as an imminently expectant, first time fugitive dad-to-be Opens in new window
    More...

    May 09, 2008: RT Interview: Morgan Spurlock on the Personal, the Political and Osama bin Laden
    The documentarian comes over all Kandahar as we talk his latest, Where in the World is Osama bin Laden?. More...

    February 09, 2008: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
    More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    77% 77% The Hangover
    88% 88% Inglourious Basterds
    66% 66% Public Enemies
    24% 24% G-Force
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    82% 82% Paranormal Activity
    57% 57% 9
    44% 44% Jennifer's Body
    58% 58% A Perfect Getaway

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Critics' Best & Worst

    Critics' Best & Worst

    RT's critic friends offer their choices

    Total Recall

    Total Recall

    We list 10 New Year's Eve-themed films!

    Awards Tour

    Awards Tour

    Stay up on the latest awards and noms!

    Forever After

    Forever After

    Celebrate Shrek's return with this trailer!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Harold Ramis Discusses Filmography, Teases Ghostbusters 3 Source: Heeb Magazine
    8
    • National Film Registry Adds 2009 Selections Source: Hollywood Reporter
    4
    • New Moon Tops Moviefone's 2009 List Source: Hollywood Reporter
    25
    • Star Trek Tops 2009's Most-Pirated Movies List Source: Hollywood Reporter
    19
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    111
    • New Toy Story 3 Clip, Photos Posted Source: Slashfilm
    26
    • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
    14
    • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
    16
    • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
    102
    • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
    1
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar, Sherlock, and Alvin Team Up To Break Records
    346
    • Critics Choose Must-Sees and Worsts of 2009
    128
    • RT Editors Choose Their Favorite Films of 2009!
    113
    • Weekly Ketchup: Peter Jackson's Secret Sci-Fi Project
    37
    • Critics Consensus: Sherlock Holmes Is Worth Investigating
    34
    • Total Recall: New Year's Eve Movies
    31
    • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: 9 and Paranormal Activity
    29
    • RT's Ten Most Popular Movies of 2009
    22
    • Friday Harvest: Sherlock Holmes, Toy Story 3, and more!
    10
    • What We're Watching on Blu-ray from 20th Century Fox!
    1
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
    72
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    21
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    24
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    16
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    24
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? at Rotten Tomatoes
    • Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? at IGN

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Best Dozen of the Decade
    Best Dozen of the Decade External Link

    Last week, MSN gave us their top 09 films. Now see what their favorites of the decade are!

    Top 50 of 2009
    Top 50 of 2009 External Link

    Here's a list of the 50 best movies of 2009, according to the good people over at Moviefone.

    Santa's Naughty List
    Santa's Naughty List External Link

    Hollywood.com takes a stab at determining who in movies will be on Santa's naughty list in 2009.

    Top 10 Movies of 2009
    Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

    TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

    Top 20 of the Decade
    Top 20 of the Decade External Link

    Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo
    About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
    IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
    By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
    IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.