The Kingdom Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW: THE KINGDOM

09/26/07

Believe the hype! Believe what you’ve read. Believe what you’ve heard. Every now and then in movie land a diamond in the rough is found. It’s that unknown, unexpected big hit that rocks movie goers. This is one of them. Even though it is not an existing, popular franchise or a sequel like the many big ones that have come out this year, this movie is just as good if not better than any of them. I was not expecting this at all and I was pleasantly surprised. This film blends intense action with true-to-life events and circumstances. It is the most realistic action thriller that I can recall.

Terrorism, the war on terror, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden are words and phrases that have become as common in the average American household as Coke, McDonald’s, and Sponge Bob. This film takes you on an in-your-face tour of a terrorist attack on a U.S. facility populated by Americans in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and its subsequent investigation. After so many are killed in this heartless attack, an elite FBI team is assembled. Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx), Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman) are the members of this team and they go do what they do best; find answers. Their assignment, however, is far from easy. Starting with the politics right here at home to the politics in the Kingdom, it’s hard to imagine any more obstacles. Even when having to deal with the culture shock, the hatred towards Americans, and the religious fanaticism, they persevere. To make matters worse, the terrorists responsible for the attack are now targeting them turning this investigation into a fight for survival.

This production couldn’t have been released at a better time. Because of the world we live in today, most of you will be able to understand the severity of this story and gasp at its realism. The cinematography was key in maintaining this realistic effect. Everything from the sand of the desert to the Sheik’s monstrous palace, you are right there with the team in this hot, hostile, foreign land. There is a scene reminiscent of Clear and Present Danger with Harrison Ford that is just nerve-raking. The ol’ “caravan of trucks in a tight road with tall buildings all around” scene . . . yeah, you know what I’m talking about. Well this one blows the socks off the Present Danger version. Actually, you could more easily compare this movie to Syriana although Syriana was a broader view of the whole oil game where Kingdom is tighter story based on this particular event.

Although I don’t see any Oscar nominations for best performances out of this picture, they are all worthy of honorable mention. Every member of the team embodied their character very well. Jamie’s character commanded respect and had an endless supply of raw determination as the team leader. Jennifer was realistically unglamorous as an agent in this environment and fought side by side with the boys. Chris brought a sense of wisdom and experience to his character. Jason’s character was the occasional comic relief but is wasn’t Jason being funny through his character, it was Jason playing a character that happened to be the team clown . . . quality. Ashraf Barhom gave us a sharp role as Colonel Faris Al Ghazi, the only true ally to the team’s cause. Then, of course, there’s Jeremy Piven who can always nail a memorable supporting role. He plays Damon Schmidt, a U.S. State Department official stationed in Saudi Arabia and trying desperately to maintain relations during this whole ordeal, especially with the presence of this FBI team. He delivers a quick, witty, and entertaining character as only he can.

So you might have seen a commercial on TV or the web that says something along the lines that the last 30 minutes are so intense you won’t want to move . . . well . . . yeah, pretty much, yeah. I must admit that even though I don’t have years and years of experience as a movie critic, I must tell you that as a fan of movies and as the movie critic that I am, I saw no major flaws in this production. There is really nothing negative for me to say about it. Director Peter Berg (The Rundown, Friday Night Lights) has shown just how talented he is not only as an actor and a writer, but as a director as well. Not a bad resume. Action fans, you don’t want to miss this one!

Review By Cine Marcos
cinemarcos@smartcine.com

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People Movie Review The Kingdom

JC
100

This was an incredible movie. I along with the rest of the audience couldn't help but be thoroughly engaged by the action and philosophical curve balls that were thrown. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I was very pleased. I'm glad that the humanity of both sides was shown; after all, everyone involved in the conflict is human, with families, personal struggles, and even virtues - however misplaced. The concluding line in the movie really makes you think about the cycle of war that is being perpetuated by each retaliatory act. To but it
frankly, I VERY MUCH RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE! You will greatly enjoy it.

Kosta
100

I liked the movie. Part Syriana -part Clear and Present Danger. I went in expecting one point of view and was pleaseantly suprised this wasn't a message movie. Good action. So often in life ,good and bad so often coexist side by side. Well done.

Marcus
90

Thoroughly enjoyable, with many witty lines, decent direction although some of the action scenes were admittedly shot with too much hand held jerky jerky camera work, likely in a hope to make it seem realistic, typical of films produced/directed by Mann.

During the mini-battle within a battle scene where Garner's character takes on extremists attempting to film the murder of one of her colleagues, the audience in the theater actually clapped and cheered at the conclusion to the scene, something I haven't seen happen during a movie for some time. They also clapped at the end of the movie, something too which has become uncommon.

T
0

I enjoyed this movie up until the unnecessary scene where all of the Saudis have their time to pray. It seemed to be an attempt to create some sort of empathy for the Saudis, which is not necessary in this film. It was rather short so again the film re-gained my interest. I enjoyed the second half of the movie more than the first...until the last 2 minutes. I was appauled by the message presented with the whole "whispering in your ear" bit. I assumed I knew what I was getting into going to this movie, but I was litterally shocked. I have never wanted to demand my money back after watching a movie before, but I really wanted to
this time. I didn't want a single penny of my money going to perpetuate that horribly misguided message. As much as I enjoyed the first 1hr 52 minutes of this film, I cannot recommend it.

Rob
100

I have to disagree with T. I thought the last two minutes were the
best part of the movie. Though it might have been controversial to close
minded americans, it was entirely true.

Moe
80

Surely a recommended movie to see, Mr T, please accept that the world has depth in it and that everyone including terrorists have their reasons behind their actions. The setup is very realistic as I lived in KSA , I know the compound is
very realistic. The conflicting war of virtues within the Saudi society is also true
what I liked most in the movie is the last message .... everyone is fighting to the end. Hated the constant shaking of the camera though ... the world is not constantly shaking.

Uncahal
20

I give it a C-. It's just a popcorn movie trying to be hip and relevent. How many of these posts that are thrilled about the realism have ever actually seen bombs explode or guns firing? I was very dissapointed and felt ripped off. I feel film should at least attempt to be more than a way to make money. It's sad that this mediocre film has such a high rating.

JM
100

this movie was just fantastic!it was so realistic! what the movie is trying to show people is the lives people in iraq, saudi arabia and more countries live.this movie is just right for those who loves action..it could be very violent though..but that's what i like about it!i think the acting crew did a great job in this movie!

yoyo
90

Two thumbs up. as others said very realistic. Even i never saw bombs explode or guns firing, but at least i ever saw at news. the only thing i felt not comfortable was the shaking camera at the last part. make me felt sick. others are great.

Norman
None

With the majority of U.S. citizens now opposed to Bush Republican War for Oil, I’m surprised that this movie was even made.

I liked the way it opened showing a quick history of the region and how the U.S. started moving into Arabian politics once the oil was discovered but the overall feel of the movie somehow tries to put a face of humanity on these FBI agents who shouldn’t be there in the first place.

The ending was hilarious when Ramba the lady agent offers the little girl a lolli-pop and thereby discovers the strategic marble. “Here little girl, I know I just killed all of your neighbors, blew the hell out of your neighborhood, and most likely have given you nightmares for the rest of your life, but here’s a sucker to lick on and make you feel better.”

Then “Oops what’s that a marble? Well gimme the lolli-pop back while my friend here pumps your brother’s back full of lead and my other friend kills your Grandfather in front of your eyes.” The best part was that obviously Ramba saw the kid take about four slugs in the back of his heart area then decides to give him CPR. I was trying to figure out if she was trying to squeeze the blood out of him quickly so as to spare him suffering or satiate her craving for blood. After all she had only minutes before hung upside down through a blown out floor and
strategically capped four people in their skulls, and then went at another guy’s gonads with a knife for dessert. Man this woman can’t get enough. She was probably ticked off that she wasn’t invited to the “Men’s only party” the night before.

What really surprised me was that these 4 agents get trapped in their gas guzzling SUV in a bad neighborhood, the roof tops are covered with heavy guns and rocket launchers aimed down at them and nobody can shoot straight except them. Not even a flesh wound? How about at least a ricochet wound? There were certainly enough bullets being cranked out. Maybe the neighborhood was near an oil refinery and they were too high on the gas fumes to shoot straight.

I guess I was supposed to feel sorry for all the innocent American Oil working families who got nailed in the beginning of the movie and I did feel bad for them, but I know that they shouldn’t have been there to begin with.
What can do when you see people so out of touch in their pursuit of money and towing their family down a dangerous path to get it?

I think Berg’s ending was good in so far as that he finally touched on the truth of the situation; both sides who are totally blind as to why all the madness is taking place over there see only one solution “Kill them all”

The movie to me is like the present war. It’s foolish, it’s all about Fear
I can’t empathize with any of the so called good guys. I don’t see them as doing anything good. The whole reason they and our troops are in that region is not because of potato farmers. It’s the “Good-Oil-Boys” and their fear of missing out on wind fall profits. My country’s troops whom I love and my tax dollars are being used not to defend my freedom but for a Republican agenda, not a U.S. agenda.

Berg should have applied his focus on that point, shown the reality of the Trade Towers and the pilots who were trained here on U.S. soil to take them out, then show where the FBI was at that point? The terrorists had already tried it once before.

Here’s something spooky to think about. I think Berg who is a very talented creative individual could do a movie about this review I am writing and I’ll tell you why I’m serious and why it’s so spooky. As I write these words right now and send them over the internet, this whole review is loaded with strategic trip words contained herein that will alert computers that watch us all now through Homeland Security. It gives me a sick feeling to even know this is true. We used to say that this could only happen in Russia. How about it Berg? Some guy writes a review on a movie you did and ends up in a Homeland Security secret prison with no access to a lawyer. The only person he can speak to is a Republican Blackwater Dude who water-boards him and tries to brainwash him into the virtue of having no morality.

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