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Three Kings

Three Kings

List Price: $14.97
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bold & Unflinching
Review: A completely original war movie, "Three Kings" was one of the best movies of 1999 and possibly of the decade. Though not as commercially successful as it deserved to be, it received widespread critical acclaim for its director, David O. Russell, and excellent cast, including George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze ("Being John Malkovich").

A tale of greed and compassion set among the dust and desolation of Iraq during the Gulf War, "Three Kings" succeeds on many levels because it is unafraid to ask difficult questions about morality and humane actions in the midst of carnage.

Though revolving around war, the film is not without its dark humor. In fact, there are several laugh-out-loud moments in the midst of ominous dread (an exploding cow, a strategically placed map, Nora Dunn's hilarious journalist). Beautifully downplaying the ironic wit and enhancing the suspense, the cast is always believable and a pleasure to watch.

"Three Kings" is bold and unapologetic, and probably not for everyone. But it is a truly unique war story and an excellent source of food for thought.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Refreshing
Review: US Army soldiers, George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze team up to recover stolen Kuwaiti bullion in the aftermath of the Gulf War. They reluctantly become involved in the struggle of the innocent Iraqi citizens and their uprising against Saddam's armies and director, David O Russell scores full marks for attempting to bring Middle Eastern politics into mainstream film making. For once, a Hollywood film that doesn't rely on national stereotype is born which makes for a very good reason to see this film. The acting is surprisingly good for an action movie - George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg (so Boogie Nights wasn't a one off then), Ice Cube and the brilliant Spike Jonze all earn their stripes. A lot of people here have overlooked Said Taghmaoui, the French actor who played the Iraqi soldier who tortures Wahlberg. He deserves a mention because his role is crucial in understanding that there were two sides that suffered casualties in the Gulf War. The movie does have its flaws - its often a little too showy and too action geared to really make a profound statement. How many times can you see a man diving for the camera in slow motion whilst a truck explodes behind him? The first half is particularly at fault, with so many "quirky" little techniques thrown in it tries your patience. But still, Three Kings is worth a look, especially in DVD format. The film is funny, touching and political, often at the same time and not always convincingly but at least it tries. The disc extras are worth the additional few dollars - David O Russell's video diary especially.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not Another War Movie
Review: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and director Spike Jonze (who gives a chance at acting here) star in this twisted, offbeat war movie where four american soldiers try to survive in Iraqi while searching for some gold hidden by Saddanm`s army.
The plot mixes a bit of everything, going from drama, dark comedy, action and satire, and while it isn`t always sucessful it still works for the most part (the ending, however, could be much more surprising). It`s certainly unconventional and dares to try something different, which is something rare nowadays, especially in the tired war movie genre.
Director David O. Russel offers an experimental, dazzling cinematography, creating some unique and weird visual scenes. Although the mix between a serious and an absurd tone doesn`t work as well as it could, "Three Kings" is nonetheless an interesting picture worth watching, making for an entertaining and innovative trip.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Clever Movie
Review: David O Russell's "Three Kings" is the film that I would name clever. It's original, hyper, brilliant, stylish, effective, intelligent, well-acted, and a masterpiece. It vibrates with style and energy. Like the best films of Oliver Stone and Martin Scorsese, this is a movie that's always alive through writing and performances. Not to mention the visual look. Finally George Clooney makes a film that really does deserve four stars. "Three Kings" is never boring and always action-packed, but it's not some stupid action flick, this is a movie that raises issues, explores the mechanics of war and the people involved. It doesn't use the Arabs as stereotyps, in fact, it paints them almost as equals to the American soldiers. Russells makes a great point, showing that the other side suffers just as much as us. "Three Kings" shows how the world is getting smaller and the word "minority" can't be used as much, which is just as good. Then there's the brilliant cinematography that has an energy of it's own. The performances are superb and as in "Out Of Sight" Clooney proves he isn't just an actor used as a package to sell an action movie like "From Dusk Till Dawn"(which was a cool movie). I recommend this movie to anyone.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Completely unrealistic war movie
Review: This movie is based on the Gulf War. The acting is of extremely poor quality. The story plot is non-existent. The movie is about three U.S Marshals who intend to steal a large sum of gold. The surprising and very unrealistic thing about this story is that the three marshals get past top Iraqi security then into an underground lair full of armsmen without a sing bullet being fired. They even steal the gold from the iraqis in front of them with only two shots fired between at least two dozen men.
To cut it short this movie is PATHETIC. It is way toooo patriotic, and seems to lack any plot whatsoever. Please don't make the mistake I made of watching this movie and wasting my time.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: War is...golden...
Review: At the end of the Gulf War, four U.S. soldiers hatch a plan to steal millions in stolen Kuwaiti bullion. However, the quartet get more than they bargain for, when the they find themselves embroiled in an uprising. George Clooney stars as Major Archie Gates, in a role very similar to the one he plays in the OCEAN'S 11 remake, is elevated as an actor thanks to his castmates. Mark Wahlberg gives a solid perfomance as Sgt. Troy Barlow, a family man, who risks everything to be able to provide for them. Ice Cube and Spike Jonze round out the principals. I should also mention that Nora Dunn is very good too as American reporter Adriana Cruz, who is hot on their trail and determined to get the story, no matter the cost. Directed by David O. Russell, the film has an MTV like style and pace that make the movie hard to resist, and is unlike any war film of the last decade. Its mix of comedy and some very dramatic moments make everything seem fresh and interesting.

The extras on the DVD, while pretty standard, do offer some enjoyable moments. The best of which are the commentaries and the director's video journal. The most amusing bonus feature is called "An intimate look inside the acting process with Ice Cube". The disc also has some "hidden tre" bunkers" (also known as Easter Eggs) and DVD-ROM content. The real star of the DVD though, is the film, for sure. A funny and dramatic look at the war of a decade ago. Highly Recommended

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An Atypical War Movie
Review: When I first saw this movie in the theater, I didn't really know what to make of it. Much like George Clooney's previous film "Out of Sight", "Three Kings" has a unique style that may be just too hip for some audience members. Others will appreciate director David O. Russell's bold style and unusual filming techniques. Set in 1991 immediately after the U.S. withdrew from the Gulf War, four soldiers led by Clooney set out to get rich by recovering $23 million of gold bullion which Iraq stole from Kuwait. Along the way, the men are torn between helping the Iraqi rebels who are being slaughtered by Sadaam's troops, or taking the gold and leaving. "Three Kings" raises some interesting moral issues about America's real motives for fighting the war, and about the value we place on the lives of others. The cast is excellent, led by Clooney as Major Gates, Mark Wahlberg as Sgt. Troy Boylar, a young father, and Ice Cube as Chief Elgin. Former "SNL" player Nora Dunn is also enjoyable as an american journalist looking for a big story. "Three Kings" is not a typical war film. It has it's share of action, along with many humorous and dramatic moments, and the more you watch it, the more you will appreciate all of its elements. The DVD version is packed with extras, including deleted scenes, audio commentary by the director, an interesting behind-the-scenes feature, trailers, and a video journal that chronicles the making of the film from pre-production to its premiere. It's a great movie and a great investment.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Overdramatic, and not that good
Review: "Three Kings" tries hard to be artistic. In fact...it tries too hard.

Its basically a modern day take on "Kelly's Heroes." The latter is one of my personally favorite war-film...so I am offended that people would compare this movie to that! "Kelly's Heroes" knew what it wanted to be and didn't try to break that: it was a comedy/caper film set in World War II about a tired squad moving out to find German gold and then go lead the good life. "Three Kings" tries to be a lot of things: political statement, anti-war film, dramatic character study...but the style is far too corny and overdramatic for it to really have any affect on me. In fact, I found myself bored, offended, or downright disgusted by this film at many times.

I will stick with my "Kelly's Heroes," thank you very much, when I want to be entertained or "touched" in any way.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Off-beat Three Kings is biting Gulf War satire.....
Review: Three Kings, writer-director David O. Russell's darkly humorous and offbeat heist movie, does to Operation Desert Storm what Kelly's Heroes did to World War II.

Starring George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze, this 1999 film tells the story of four GIs who, at the end of the first Gulf War in 1991, cross the Kuwaiti border into Iraq in search of a stash of gold stolen from Kuwait City by the retreating Iraqi Army. On their way to Karbala, where the gold is stored in a hidden bunker, the motley group of Americans stumbles upon the Shi'ite revolt against Saddam...and what began as a treasure hunt becomes a rather sobering experience as the GIs watch Saddam's forces crush the short lived revolt.

Russell's film mixes dark humor, witty dialog, and social commentary with some extreme photographic tricks, making Three Kings one of the weirdest -- yet effective -- films to come out of Hollywood in recent years. The performances from the leads and such supporting actors as Nora Dunn (who plays a veteran cable news reporter), Jamie Kennedy and Mykelti Williamson are top-notch, and Russell keeps things going at a rapid pace.

Alex Diaz-Granados

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Good Film, Spectacular, Worth Watching
Review: This's one of my favourite war films all the time. The story's well told, and the actors George Clooney, Mark Wahiberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze were just shining. Said Taghmaoui, the french actor who played the Iraqi soldier who tortures Wahlberg, are also did a impressive job. The visual is breathtaking with so many "quirky" little techniques in it.
I would recommend this to all those who's seeking a impressive funny but meaningful and kind of touch film.


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