The Kingdom Reviews

[Highly rated reviewer]

The Kingdom

A very accurate depiction of the enemy we currenty face today in the west. Though most of you prefer to watch films which make us in the west the bad guys and depicts suicide bombers as 'freedom fighters' (Fahrenheit 9/11 maybe?), I prefer to watch films where we kick the asses of those who think they can come into our cities and blow themselves up for their superstitious beliefs. This is exactly what this film is, Jamie Foxx especially embraces his role as a Jihadi hunter. The film still touches upon the subjugation of women in the Arab world and makes a good attempt at helping us to understand the mind of the suicide bomber. Overall very enjoyable action flick with a bit of extra effort involved.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Plausible action movie

Based on the Western view of terrorism, the Middle East and the American viewpoint, this is an extremely plausible and extremely entertaining action movie. OK its obviously American biased, the outcome is rarely in doubt, but the whole story, the action and the horrors of terrorism play our really well, I thoroughly enjoyed this and would say it was a definate recommendation.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A thrilling, politically charged action film with some thought behind the mayhem.

An FBI team arrives to help investigate a bomb attack on a western housing compound in Saudi Arabia but their welcome is frosty to say the least.

This film tackles an important and emotive issue head on, and praise is due for that, but I left with the impression that it was better than it deserved to be and I think the problem (which may only be my problem) stems from the script. It gives a convincing impression of the background the drama plays against and is laudably even-handed but the characterization is sketchy, there's an underlying assumption that the Americans know best and everything is resolved a little too neatly by a climactic chase and shoot-out.

No matter. It was probably only the fact that The Kingdom confronts issues at all that made me think it could have dug a little deeper and the film papers over any cracks simply by being so well made. This is the fourth film directed by actor Peter Berg and a mightily impressive job he does too. The pace is brisk, the opening attack appalling, the outlining of the investigation meticulous and interesting whilst the final chase is desperate and visceral. Berg also draws good performances from a cast that, as noted, has little to work on with the best impression made by Ashraf Barhoum as the team's Saudi liaison.

There's a bit of a lecture sneaked in during the opening titles economically outlining the modern history of the Arabian peninsula and the tensions that trouble Saudi Arabia. That tension is always in mind pervading this film in as convincing a portrayal of culture clash as you'll ever see. The agents are there against the wishes of the US State Department, which considers things quite complicated enough already and makes no secret of the fact, and, although publicly welcomed by royalty, their participation in the investigation is only grudgingly permitted. The Kingdom's convincing and well sustained atmosphere establishes a last scene that deftly cross-cuts between two sets of characters. The story-arc may have been resolved but, this scene says, little else has. Like other aspects of the film it is arguably pat but undeniably effective.

A little shallow as a political thriller instead view The Kingdom an atmospheric and compelling action film with brains and a conscience. It would make an interesting double-bill with Syriana.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Definately a King Of a Movie!

Got a couple of free tickets from this site to see this at my local cinema. I wasn't sure if it would be my type of film but you can't knock a free ticket, right?

Well I was pleasantly surprised as this film was very very good and kept me glued to screen throughout. The story was action packed from the start and I really liked the characters as they felt real and there was some great little jokey lines occasionally deliverered throughout the movie. The stunts were both amazing and shocking and made it truely realistic to watch with a very close to home subject! If you don't like violent films then perhaps this one is not for you, lots of gunfire, explosions and blood and gore.

Overall definately one to watch, at the cinema if possible but I'm sure I will be adding this one to my list to watch it again as it was so good.

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[Highly rated reviewer]

WHAT!?!?

WOW! Who would have thought that a group of 4 Americans could go out and be incredibly dull for an hour and then single handed, in the last fifteen minutes of the movie save Saudi Arabia single handed and end the world terror threat!

Absolute & total rubbish! I was so angry by the end of the Movie that you could quite easily understand why the US has so many enemies however this was better than the boredom that it makes you endure for the first hour YAWN!

Sanctimonious RUBBISH!

Jamie Fox must have been high on Crack Cocaine & Meths when he agreed to do this movie his acting as usual was brilliant however who would want to bring this character to life??? His Character is an idiot as are all his dim witted FBI comrades

This movie should be tried for hate crime!

what a waste of time

wow the trailer is good and makes you want to see the film, well just watch the trailer and forget the film as the trailer is better then the film. dont waste you time sitting down to watch this dud film, paint a wall and watch it dry that will be more fun.

[Highly rated reviewer]

Kingdom

Started very promising, but the hand held camara work was to much to put up with. stopped watching after about 50 mins. When is this realy annoying camara work trend going to stop and directors start making films properly. All it does is remind you that what you are watching is filmed by a camara man and you can't get lost in the acting and story being told. Spilberg used it to great afect in Saving private ryan, now they all think they are as good as him, but he did it for a reason, and only used it for the battle scenes.

[Highly rated reviewer]

disturbing and heartbreaking no-one wins in this political thriller

i was sceptical about this film because it was advertised as an action film when its tale is more closely compared to spielbergs superior Munich, revenge will get us nowhere they kill us we kill them and so the circle of lies, hate and terror goes on till theres nothing left. this film has a small america team of soldiers, which immediately you think gun-ho war lovers want to 'kick ass' is their mantra but theyre characters are quite written well they are all quite loveable some bringing some levity to the situation even after the horrific terrorist shooting, that leads to two bombings one after another to make more casualties.this film like munich is about protecting your family at any cost which rings true to the last remaining minutes.if anything jamie foxx as there fearless leader was a great choice because he is the voice of reason showing his inadaquicies as an American and that america is not perfect which george w bush would never say even if he meant it.the iraqi cop and jamie foxx character are great as they become friends as they are so alike his performance showing that at the end of the day we are all people and they both want to save innocent people.this film is shocking at times one character who provides a sort of comic relief is captured on a motorway by bombs and gunfire as the other soldiers go in hot pursuit to save him they are shot at by every terrorist under the sun which makes it slightly unbelievable when none really get shot and or die. it is relentless if a bit 2dimensional but many ignorant people who believe that all iraqis, iranians are terrorists should watch this or Fahrenheit 9/11 as this is not so.the brief introduction to the past of america and iraq in the credits was well done which showed you their close relationship up until now.nevertheless its not about who dies and who lives in this film, if it were more real everyone would be dead,its about hate and how it goes on and on neverending coursing through generations.

What a shame

I was really looking forward to seeing this film. It was boring and never grabbed my attention, the cast was good but the film just never went anywhere. I gave up 2 thirds of the way through and I hate giving up on films but I couldn't perservere with this one.

Interesting and thought provoking!

What is really amazing about this film, is that it fosters the possibility of so many interpretations from its viewers. It's the kind of film that you'll see exactly what you want to see that confirms what you believe is going on in the world today. The movie was open to interpretation and I think the ending certainly left me thinking about the whole matter alot more deeply. While most people interpreted the film as a few American bigshots going to foreign territory (when a bomb in Saudi kills Americans living there) what was interesting for me, was what happened when the Americans reached Saudi. This film wasn't about anyone trying to assert American supremacy in foreign territory, it was (in my mind) the thin line that exits between the the supposed heroes and their attackers. It points to the frailty of human life and how in the end being the enermy and the hero is simply a perception, depending upon where you happen to live and what culture you belong to. It was interesting to see how the Americans related with the Saudis (and vice versa) and even Foxx's friendship with the officer leading the investigation. It's so easy to get caught up with assumptions when you watch this film, but allow yourself to truly understand the deeper message that the film has to offer: in the end we are all human beings and regardless of which side we happen to be on, the cost of one human life is a very high price to pay indeed! It's just a shame that not many people see it that way!