Morgan Spurlock, the director of the hit documentary Super Size Me, tackles a subject many of us have been wondering about for several years now. That is, where in the world is Osama bin Laden?

Spurlock has been wondering too. From the vaults of the Weinstein brothers’ studio, those founders of Miramax, the distribution company named for their parents Miriam and Max Weinstein, comes Where In The World Is Osama bin Laden?

It is, of course, no joking matter. Yet, sometimes you can say things with humor that cannot be said as well or as forcefully with a serious approach, and make a better point. It sometimes does seems as if bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, is all but forgotten in the mists of the War On Terror and war in Iraq, although some still wonder where he has gone.

Spurred by impending fatherhood to make the world a safer place, writer/director Morgan Spurlock sets out to find the villain behind Al Qaeda and 9/11, Osama bin Laden. The filmmaker embarks on a globetrotting hunt for clues, traveling to several Middle Eastern countries, including Israel.

In Super Size Me Spurlock used a humorous and entertaining approach to explore the effects of fast food on health, by putting himself on a fast-food diet and then tracking its effects on his health. It was entertaining but also a surprisingly educational film.

Spurlock sets out to do something similar in this film looking at the influence of al Qaeda, a far heavier topic than nutrition. Like in his previous film, Spurlock uses humor as ammunition, especially in animation sequences, to make his more serious points. Spurlock’s style is clearly influenced by filmmaker Michael Moore, who, love him or hate him, pioneered the influential humorous documentary technique. Unlike Moore, Spurlock is far less political.

Spurlock starts by reviewing the history of the hunt for Osama, and the possibilities that he is dead, hiding in Pakistan or Afghanistan, on dialysis in Saudi Arabia, and so forth, before beginning his wide-ranging hunt.

Spurlock sets up his search for Osama like a video game crossed with a globetrotting spy hunt thriller movie, to hunt down bin Laden. In his travels, he goes to Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Afghanistan and Pakistan, on the hunt for the terrorist.

There is humor mixed with more serious content. It starts out very comic but as the film unfolds, the more serious side dominates.

In each country he visited, Spurlock tells people that he is looking for Osama bin Laden and asks if the person knows where he is. The question evokes responses ranging from disbelief to laughter, but opens the door to further discussion. Spurlock talks to a variety of people, ordinary people on the street, journalists, students, political leaders of various viewpoints, getting their opinions on America, bin Laden or the reasons behind the 9/11 attacks.

In Egypt, one of the first issues supporters of al Qaeda bring up is the Palestinians. Yet, in Israel, Spurlock talks to Israelis and Palestinians, both of whom tell him that al Qaeda is not really interested in the situation of the Palestinians and is merely using the issue as a way to whip up feeling in Muslim communities.

In each country, Spurlock also asks people if bin Laden is in the country, prompting some interesting responses.

Most people said that bin Laden is in Pakistan although, curiously, when Spurlock asked Saudis the question Is Osama bin Laden here? they often responded, not by saying “no” but by saying “maybe.”

Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?a has plenty of humor, with some entertaining animation sequences, and makes some good points. It reminds us of some things we may have forgotten, although it is by no means a deep and scholarly exploration of the roots of al Qaeda and terrorism. Spurlock encounters a few extremists but most of the people he talks to reject violence and al Qaeda, even when they expressed strong political views.

Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden? is a good second film from Morgan Spurlock, showing he has talent and the first was not a fluke. Many will find Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?a a creative, interesting and informative exploration of the roots of al Qaeda’s influence, while others will find it too light, and may even take offense that such a serious topic is handled in a humor-laced format. It is worth a look for its evenhandedness and man-in-the-street approach, although it may be a tad too optimistic. The film is a worthy effort, although a little more depth would have made it even better.

Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden? opens Friday, April 18, at Plaza Frontenac Theatre, for at least a one-week run.