Famed documentary-maker, American left-winger, marksman and lifelong NRA member Michael Moore returns with his first feature film in five years - and it's a winner.

This time he has guns in his sights as he tackles America's unique (and constitutionally protected) obsession with firearms.

The movie takes us with him across America, from south-central Los Angeles to Columbine High School, stopping along the way at the home of the man who makes napalm and the brother of the Oklahoma City bomber, Terry Nichols.

But we kick off with Mike opening a bank account - an account that entitles him to a free rifle. Then it's off down the road to the barber's for a quick haircut and some live ammunition...

Moore has been a member of the National Rifle Association for 25 years (but, as far as I am aware, has never shot anyone).

In Bowling For Columbine he sets out on a funny, touching and sometimes disturbing journey to find out why Americans have to own guns...and use them on each other.

The film centres on the shootings at Columbine High School in 1999. A combination of interviews, archive footage, animation and staggering statistics are used to keep us enlightened, captivated and dumbfounded, in equal measure.

The title comes from the allegations made against musicians that music was to blame for the Columbine murders; Moore posits that, since the two boys were also avid bowlers, bowling may just as well carry the can for this tragedy.

He also visits Canada, where gun ownership rates are almost the same as in the US, but violent gun attacks are almost non-existent.

Here is a man who clearly loves his country but isn't afraid to take issue with the Bush administration's mismanagement of America's wealth.

This isn't as easy as it sounds, in an America still reeling from the psychological blow of 9/11, and demands that artists nail their patriotic colours to the mast, rather than ask difficult questions about the constitution. (Mike's most recent book, Stupid White Men, was almost banned - but that's another story.)

But his now famous, easygoing interviewing style gets him some fascinating results. He treats every one - from the man in the street to NRA President Charlton Heston - with the same quick wit and even-handed manner. It shows how to get to the heart of the matter and beyond without aggressive questioning.

Michael Moore made his name with films that attack complacent politicians, greedy multinationals and other social ills and, in doing so, took documentary-making to a new level.

Bowling For Columbine is an important film. It's also blisteringly funny - make sure you find time to watch it.

George Bland