2008 Woodie Awards
Now Playing: "The Kingdom"
Andrew Neuberger
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Expressions
- Page 1 of 1
With a politically-motivated beginning and a cartoon-like reanimation of 9/11 during the opening credits, Peter Berg's "The Kingdom" will keep you on the edge of your seat from the beginning.
As with all other military films, the plot is simple: Kill the bad guy and save the day. "The Kingdom" is no exception, but in this particular case, it hits much closer to home than other films.
Taking place in modern-day Saudi Arabia, "The Kingdom" sets up a foreboding tale from the beginning. A U.S. housing compound is infiltrated by terrorists, who use tactics such as suicide bombers and machine guns to kill about 100 people, alerting everyone to the infiltration.
FBI agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) secretly assembles a special squad to travel to Saudi Arabia and out the terrorist organization responsible for the loss of American lives. The members of this squad are Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner) and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman).
During the five-day operation, they team up with a local Saudi Colonel, Fharis Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom). They must piece together evidence of who planned and carried out the attacks, as well as keep up their own morale.
Being an R-rated film, viewers will see the violence and barbaric methods these terrorists use, and it is all incredibly intense.
Just imagine being trapped in a marketplace in downtown Saudi Arabia as gunfire and rockets blast all around outside. I got a bit of satisfaction watching the terrorists receive a taste of their own medicine from Fleury's crew in the end.
Being a predictable war film, a very basic plot is presented. "The Kingdom" lacks any original ideas for a war film, but it does have a post-9/11 coat of paint on it, which can be refreshing after the barrage of World War II and Vietnam films out there.
Casting is solid, although I really didn't like Jennifer Garner being in a film like this. She didn't fit the part well; seeing her firing a semi-automatic weapon just wasn't believable. Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman played the three leading men well, showing good emotion, which is expected in such a desolate situation. Also, props to Ashraf Barhom for playing his role as the loyal Saudi military Colonel with valor and dignity.
Although the trailers of "The Kingdom" weren't all that promising and fresh, the movie was worth the $8.50 ticket price.
Political connotations aside, "The Kingdom" was more about the fight against the terrorists than anything. This one is not really a thinking-man's film, but a very entertaining one at the least.
Just be prepared, things get nasty.
MY RATING: 7.7/10
As with all other military films, the plot is simple: Kill the bad guy and save the day. "The Kingdom" is no exception, but in this particular case, it hits much closer to home than other films.
Taking place in modern-day Saudi Arabia, "The Kingdom" sets up a foreboding tale from the beginning. A U.S. housing compound is infiltrated by terrorists, who use tactics such as suicide bombers and machine guns to kill about 100 people, alerting everyone to the infiltration.
FBI agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) secretly assembles a special squad to travel to Saudi Arabia and out the terrorist organization responsible for the loss of American lives. The members of this squad are Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner) and Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman).
During the five-day operation, they team up with a local Saudi Colonel, Fharis Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom). They must piece together evidence of who planned and carried out the attacks, as well as keep up their own morale.
Being an R-rated film, viewers will see the violence and barbaric methods these terrorists use, and it is all incredibly intense.
Just imagine being trapped in a marketplace in downtown Saudi Arabia as gunfire and rockets blast all around outside. I got a bit of satisfaction watching the terrorists receive a taste of their own medicine from Fleury's crew in the end.
Being a predictable war film, a very basic plot is presented. "The Kingdom" lacks any original ideas for a war film, but it does have a post-9/11 coat of paint on it, which can be refreshing after the barrage of World War II and Vietnam films out there.
Casting is solid, although I really didn't like Jennifer Garner being in a film like this. She didn't fit the part well; seeing her firing a semi-automatic weapon just wasn't believable. Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman played the three leading men well, showing good emotion, which is expected in such a desolate situation. Also, props to Ashraf Barhom for playing his role as the loyal Saudi military Colonel with valor and dignity.
Although the trailers of "The Kingdom" weren't all that promising and fresh, the movie was worth the $8.50 ticket price.
Political connotations aside, "The Kingdom" was more about the fight against the terrorists than anything. This one is not really a thinking-man's film, but a very entertaining one at the least.
Just be prepared, things get nasty.
MY RATING: 7.7/10
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