Michael Moore certainly knows how to stir controversy.

At times, his latest documentary, “Fahrenheit 9/11,” is as annoying as a political attack ad – and just as polarizing.

It’s also pretty damn entertaining.

The film makes many points about George W. Bush, Sept. 11, counterterrorism and Iraq. Moore’s agenda is clear: He wants Bush to lose the election in November.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker shows how Bush remained in an elementary school classroom for seven minutes after being told about the attack on the World Trade Center and talks about the Bush family’s business ties to Saudis and the bin Laden family.

Using ironic juxtapositions to full effect, Moore shows scenes of the Sept. 11 destruction followed by shots of Bush playing golf.

He tries – and succeeds – to make Bush look like a malevolent imbecile. Most people probably would look stupid under Moore’s scathing scrutiny, but Bush provides enough material to make it easy. It’s nothing “The Daily Show” viewers don’t see every day, but putting Bush’s many missteps on the big screen surely will affect voters even more.

Moore’s filmmaking techniques make “Fahrenheit 9/11” accessible and amusing, although a good deal less than fair. He doesn’t shy away from cheap shots or crooked editing to get his points across. His sarcastic narration and pop-culture references aim the film to a younger crowd. However, from a critical viewpoint, the documentary flounders.

If Moore had taken the time to develop some of his assertions more fully, it could have been a great film. Instead, he rushes to each point as if trying to cram as much as possible into the film’s two hours.

Even with its flaws, the documentary contains some great segments and makes some important arguments. Its footage of the destruction in Iraq, including shots of burned corpses and injured children, is heartrending.

If nothing else, “Fahrenheit 9/11” is a success not because of excellent filmmaking but because of its ability to spark thought in a population accustomed to complacency.