Rating: 
Summary: we three kings be stealing the gold
Review: awesome looking movie with very great characters and villians. theres a lot of comedy, action and great moments in this piece. Ice Cube is really good in one of the leads. Clooney has never been better. Wahlberg's character you gotta care for in this one. he gets tortured and shot at. poor guy. Spike Jonze is really cool in this one as well. as you might now Jonze directing Adaptation and Being John Malkovich. all in all its one of those movies you cant miss
Rating:
Summary: Makes Cube look credilbe as actor, need I say more.
Review: Well, actually I do need to say more. The fact of the matter is this is one of the greatest movies ever made. To begin with there is an amazing cast. Stars include George Clooney, Ice Cube, Mark Whalberg, Spike Jonze, Mykelti Williamson, Nora Dunn, Jamie Kennedy, and most notably is Cliff Curtis. Cliff Curtis is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood today. The man is a chameleon. With looks that enable him to play roles for Latinos, Caucasian, or in this case Middle Eastern. The man is magnificent. The single most remarkable thing about this movie is that it was made at he peak on Clinton's administration with no way to imagine how history would repeat itself once Dubya took power. If one were to watch this movie and only take away from it the political ideas it communicates they will see the immense value in this film. There are many items in this movie that were suppressed from the American public and the media at the time of the first Gulf War that this movie sheds light on making our actions over their reprehensible. Perhaps what makes this movie so enjoyable is the combination of several different aspects of genres. That is, this movie features a great story, action, relevant political content, and some really cool movie special effects (e.g. "bullet cam" or following the electricity up the wire in the torture scenes). Truly a remarkable movie.
Rating: 
Summary: A SATIRE WITH INNOVATIVE CINEMATOGRAPHY
Review: At the first instance, what are striking about this movie, is its cinematography, its camera-work, and the computer graphics used, to create certain scenes. Considering these elements, the movie almost certainly 'appears' superficially like a Chemical Brothers video. From the beginning to the end, the movie is chaotic. Now, the movie is most certainly a two-hour Chemical Brothers video. As a matter of fact the movie is full of contemporary music-artists: Ice Cube, Marky Mark, and a prominent music-video director, Spike Jonze. Moreover, Spike has infact directed a couple of Chemical Brothers videos. So, there is a definite connection between Chemical Brothers and Three Kings. Actually, the slick and sleek look of the movie makes it very interesting to watch and to be studied. But, there is a lot more to this flick, than merely its skin-deep look. There is much beyond to this flick than its masterfully created outward façade. Three kings is a brilliant satire. Mainly during its first half, the movie shows American soldiers act like Hollywood heroes, frivolously doing things as they please, at the expense of the hapless people, who they actually are supposed to protect. In point of fact, this very first half is funny as well as grossly heartless. One can either laugh one's heart out during the first half, or at the same time one can feel really sick in the gut, for some of the really gruesome scenes, treated humorously and with aberrant detachment. But, herein lies the sarcasm of the flick. The second half of the movie is more hearted and thought-provoking than its first half. If 'satire' is the word for the first half, then 'irony' is the word for the second half. In the second half, the four protagonists set out to selfishly search for gold, actually end up doing just the opposite of what they intended to do, leading to the very warm-hearted end. This movie is definitely not the quintessential war movie. It stresses on frivolity of the human nature, with war just as a backdrop. A humorous, satirical, thought-provoking movie like Three Kings, shot brilliantly using fresh, new cinematographic techniques is very much a movie worth watching, more than once.
Rating:
Summary: Provoking Satire
Review: Writer-director David O. Russell's almost-remake of "Kelly's Heroes" set during the Persian Gulf War provides a satirical view on the concept of war, humanity, and who really profits from them. George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze, are weekend warriors who aren't happy about being in the desert risking their life for no money. Hearing about some Kuwaiti bullion (No, not the little cubes you make soup out of)in the hands of Iraqi soldiers, they decide it's time to go out on their own to hit the jack pot before anyone else gets there. On their way back they have to decide whether greed is more important than compassion or whether the two can be mixed somewhat. Fast-paced with shifting images and camera angles, the movie gives one the sense of the values of the high-tech 90s and war in general. Exploring materialism and greed from top to bottom, David O. Russell explores the rationale of war and the Persian Gulf-War in particular. A great film for a wide audience. Whether you like war-movies, political satires, comedy, drama, or action, this movie has something for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: one of my favorites
Review: This movie brilliantly combines humor and heart-wrenching images of war to tell an unbelievably memorable and important story. It manages, unlike the vast majority of films made in recent times, to present a situation in a manner that allows the watcher to form his own opinions about occurrences rather than telling him what he ought to think. Undeniably critical of the handling (or mishandling) of the Gulf War, the movie also manages, in my mind at least, to simultaneously show the horrors of war in general. Some reviewers have stated that this movie "shows why liberals ... ." It certainly shows that situations are more complex than many liberals make them out to be, but the same goes for conservatives who can just as easily oversimplify, foregoing humanitarian concerns in favor of oil interests, revenge, etc. It also incorporates invaluable perspectives of everyone from American soldiers to Iraqi rebels to members of Saddam's own army. Regardless of your political persuasion or your opinions on war, oil, and humanity in general, this movie will alternately make you think and laugh, and is well worth your time.
Rating: 
Summary: I only watched the first few minutes...But that was enough.
Review: Actually, this isn't a review as I switched the TV off after the first few minutes - in which time I was deeply disturbed and offended...Maybe, maybe, the film later on might have explored the appalling inhumanity and racism shown by American soldiers in Iraq but who knows...I really was too disturbed at the time to want to continue watching. Moments from the first few minutes of the film - Iraqi being referred to as "towelhead" by an American soldier...Iraqi POW being shot like a hunted animal at point blank range by an American soldier who clearly does not feel much at all...
Rating:
Summary: What Would Kipling Have Thought?
Review: Three Kings was surely inspired by Rudyard Kipling's classic adventure tale, The Man Who Would be King. Like The Man ..., Three Kings tells of rogue soldiers in rough country looking to exploit the main chance. In each tale, the soldiers' greed goes to their heads, as greed is wont to do. And there, the similarities end. Three Kings is a rip-roaring tale that follows the misadventures of four American soldiers at the end of Desert Storm, as played by George Clooney, Ice Cube, Mark Wahlberg and Spike Jonze. All are good, but the first two were revelations to me. I had never before seen Clooney in a movie, and doubted he could fill the screen. He put my doubts to rest. The guy's a movie star in the best, old-fashioned, big studio sense. He can act, and he exudes star power. Similarly, I had seen Ice Cube do capable work playing one sort of character in contemporary blaxploitation/"urban" pix (Boyz' in the Hood, New Jack City, etc.), but didn't know if he had any range. He does. His endearing, Bible-spouting character was a great challenge he made the most of. The man may now quit his day job. In exploiting the desert milieu, Three Kings' director David O. Russell successfully mixes bawdy humor, surprises, and tense drama as befitting the movie's theme. The pic's only short-coming is its ending, which I found a bit pat.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm torn between hating and liking this one.
Review: Summary:
The movie begins as Desert Storm ends in 1991. Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) and two of his fellow soldiers/friends, Chief Elgin (Ice Cube) and Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze), find a map hidden in a surrendering Iraqi soldiers butt. Knowing that Iraq has stolen money and gold from Kuwait they believe the map contains the directions to the bunker where it is stored. Former special forces soldier Archie Gates (George Clooney), who is now escorting newswoman Adriana Cruz (Nora Dunn), catches wind of the map and ends up joining the trio in attempting to take the gold from Iraq for themselves. Archie distracts Adriana with false directions and leads the foursome into the Iraqi desert where they end up finding the gold, Iraqi civilians being held prisoner and being tortured, and plenty of Iraqi soldiers. My Comments:
The reason I am torn over this movie is because it has too many perspectives and too many political messages. At first it wants you to think that the American soldiers who are stealing the gold are just boys being boys. Then the movie turns them into bad guys. But in the end they end up the heroes. All the while the Iraqi civilians are seen as oppressed and in desperate need of help and the Iraqi soldiers are made out to be both human (by being afraid of Saddam Hussein and having suffered dramatic losses) and inhumane for torturing and killing anyone they can. In the end you don't really know who you are supposed to be rooting for which left me a little bothered by the whole thing. Also, the acting is surprisingly good seeing as how the last time (I believe) Wahlberg and Clooney teamed up - The Perfect Storm - the movie was about as bad as they come. Perhaps the reason why is that they don't really have to do much acting. Clooney isn't too bad, but Wahlberg just has to play a greedy young soldier who has a hidden heart. Ice Cube isn't particularly outstanding, especially with his overly bizarre fascination with 'Christ fire' that never really makes much sense. Spike Jonze, on the other hand, was pretty good at being the rather mindless soldier that he was trying to be. Admittedly, I liked the story. And perhaps it should get a much higher review because, in a sense, it really does capture something of the picture of the relationship between Iraq and America in the two hour microcosm that makes up the movie - some Americans are greedy, some really want to help Iraqis, some Iraqis are monsters, and some are caring individuals that 'just want to cut hair', have a family, and live their lives. Overall, I have to recommend the movie because it does keep your attention and even, I hate to say it, makes you think a little bit. Perhaps as I think about it over time I'll feel that it is worthy of a higher rating, but I just can't give it to it today. (On an interesting side note, I watched this movie at a unique time - the 2003 war with Iraq began just a couple of weeks ago and raised all of the same issues.)
Rating:
Summary: The Golden Rule.....
Review: This review refers to the Warner Bros "Special Widescreen Edition" VHS of "Three Kings"...... A Gulf War story that's both hard hitting and comical takes a look at four soldier's quest to get something more out of the war than just memories of combat in the desert. Kuwait has just been "freed" by the American forces and the military personel are rejoicing that their part is over and soon they will be going home. When two soldiers discover a hidden map(and you will cringe when you see where they find it) to millions in gold bullion, that Sadam has ripped off from the Kuwaitis, they along with two others decide it's theirs for the taking. They ditch the journalist assigned to them and stop at nothing to recover and steal this fortune for themselves. Breaking treaties and rules of engagement, and putting innocent people in devastingly dangerous situations they persue their own personal mission. But along the way they open their eyes to what is going on around them. They see what the people are being subjected to and the devastation that the war and Saddam has wrought. They must decide what is more important in life.They are given pause to think about their own families and how they would feel if this happened to them. Will they risk their own necks and give the gift of freedom to a small group of refugees that has brefriended them or continue on their way to riches? Although comical through these four main characters, this film in no way makes light of the seriousness of the war and the tragedies occurring in this region.At times it is very violent and graphic in it's depiction of the atrocities. It actually gives an understanding of why we were there and why we are back again.It also reminds us of the sadly unfinished results we left behind the first time around. And even more, it gives us a look at what soldiers from the other side are thinking and feeling as well. The film stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze who all seem to hit the mark with the feelings of these soldiers. Written and directed by David O. Russell with innovative photography by Newton Thomas Sigel, it gives a unique perspective on the war. It may also be a very authentic look as some of the co-stars and extras were ex-refugees themselves and expierenced all of these horrors and served double time as advisors to Russell and the actors. The VHS has a good widescreen picture, nice color and great sound(Dolby Stereo Surround)which does justice to the excellent soundtrack and all the sounds of war. Although this looks to be the same as the " Widescreen Collectors Edition" sold here, on my packaging it is called "Special Widescreen edition". This one also has a behind-the scenes Doumentary on the making of the film(but I can't say for sure that this is the same package.) The story left me with a deepened awareness but also a renewed feeling of hope.
thanx....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: HOLLYWOOD WON'T SUPPORT WAR,BUT WILL BE SUPPORTED BY WAR.
Review: I have always hated the hypocrisy of making a profit from an unpopular war by making satirical and clever movies on the subject.Hollywood has done more to glorify war and violence than any other group in the history of mankind,and should not be poking fun at their bread and butter.(It was a good depiction of some of the war's craziness)
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