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This film has a simple plot idea for this documentary. Morgan Spurlock is about to become a father and he is afraid of the threatening world around him and his wife, Alexandria Jamieson. The biggest fear facing America in 2008 was Osama Bin Laden and the terrorist group Al-Queda. He sets out to explore the middle east to try and find Laden to end this threat. Okay, this is an old documentary obviously. I decided to watch this becuase I enjoy hearing Spurlock's views, and in light of what has recently happened it seemed worth it to go into the past. I had a short debate about reviewing documentaries, but decided why not. I don't watch too many of these anyway.
This was made during the year of 2008 when new ideals begin to arise in America. People had become more curious about the people in places like Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia. This new curiosity made an appearance in films. Morgan travels to Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is interesting to see the varied politics versus the American influence in those countries. It begins in a way that presents humour and several huh (?) moments. I mean it goes from his wife being pregnant, to a computerized Laden dancing to the song U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer, to Spurlock fighting Laden mortal Combat style. It sets up for lots of humour that doesn't last. The deeper he goes into taliban country the less humorless it is (unless you count the fact that everyone seems to love wrestling all over the world).
He first learns how to protect himself from terrorist attacks, and it really shows how paranoid, and troubled, America was in 2008. He goes into these countries and receive much the same idea's in varied formats. Everyone hated Laden, except for Al-Queda, and they hated the American government (not it's people). So many of these countries that we were "helping" were in strife over government problems. The American government created these, as Spurlock calls them, "Our (America's) son of a bitch" within foreign lands. These rulers were destroying the lands of Egypt and Morocco (among other countries). In Palestine there was a war with Jerusalem for the right to own the holy land. Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were facing the threat of Al-Queda in varied depths of terrorism. Through it all everyone only wished for a better a life for their children. In the end when he came to the area where he had been told that Laden could've been-he turned and decided it wasn't worth risking his life over and losing the chance to see his unborn child.
(As an after note: Laden was found near Abbottabad in Pakistan, and was assassinated on May 2, 2001.)
I give this film a 9 out of 10 stars! It's a great documentary-especially for the year it was released. It was a little bizarre at some points, but it contained a good base for information on people and the Muslim religion.
Answer to last blog: Michelle Williams is known for her role in the independent film Brokeback mountain.
Que: What documentary began Morgan Spurlock's career?
Bowling for Columbine
The Elephant In The Room
Supersize Me
Black Money
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