Watching her learn to deal with media, speak to the UN, hold court with Oprah and Obama, and discuss the abduction of 300 girls by Boko Haram with Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, it is impossible not to be amazed by her composure, articulation, charisma and wisdom.
Better still are the moments at home with her two brothers -- who steal every scene they are in -- that remind us Malala is a normal teenage girl, facing the pressure of school exams just like her peers, and with a Google search history that includes Brad Pitt, Roger Federer and Pakistani cricket players.
As the title suggests, this is also the story of Malala's father, a liberal teacher who overcame a speech impediment to become outspoken as anti-Taleban.
There's been criticism that Malala's activism is the result of her father being opportunist, but seeing her close up supports his case that he's just allowing her to be herself.
Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) shows us the numerous sides of his subject; a woman recovering from a horrific crime, a teenage girl growing up with her close-knit family, and a young woman who has become a beacon for humanity and forgiveness.
All this involves a few too many shots of his subject receiving awards and meeting famous people, however Malala Yousafzai is an extraordinary woman and, no matter how her story is presented, it's most definitely worth hearing.
Movie: He Named Me Malala
Cast: Malala Yousafzai
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Running Time: 88 mins
Rating: PG (Some scenes may disturb)
Verdict: A fawning but fascinating doco.