Warner Bros., Rated R
Written and Directed by David O. Russell
Story by John Ridley
As Saving Private Ryan nearly perfected the war movie, Three Kings re-defined the war movie and a better film about the Gulf War is barely imaginable. After his revelatory turn in Out of Sight, George Clooney continues making up for Batman & Robin and The Peacemaker in his role as Archie Gates, a soldier who finds a treasure map to Kuwaiti gold bullion, stolen by Iraq. Seeing an opportunity to take something home from what he views as an almost pointless war, he recruits three other soldiers (Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze, just as brilliant acting as directing) to go along with him on a post-war treasure hunt. The fact that some of the soldiers don't even realize the war is over already speaks volumes. A small subplot involving a reporter (Nora Dunn, whom I haven't seen in ages) on Gates' trail with another soldier in tow (Jamie Kennedy, well on his way to being one of the best character actors around) is a harsh critique on wartime journalism. The film is a harsh critique of the Gulf War in general. Neither the U.S. or Iraq get off easy as Gates and his crew discover that they must stay to help Iraqis across the border after witnessing terrible atrocities committed by Hussein against his people. Russell's kinetic directing style is like nothing seen in any war film and suits the film to a T. One of the four soldiers, Troy Barlow (Wahlberg, advancing light years as an actor after the promise I saw in The Corruptor; Boogie whats?), is kidnapped by a group of Iraqis leading to some very suspenseful scenes. The film will most certainly change your thinking about the war, and modern warfare in general. There is also plenty of humor to be found throughout and it balances well with the "preachiness" that pervades the final reel. The only other minor flaw is the ending, which is almost a tad too Hollywood. One wonders if Russell had the final cut, this being his first studio film. The movie left most theatres far too soon and probably should have been postponed to be a major contender for the Oscars. Let's hope this, the first 21st century war movie, and its lessons, are remembered well into the next century. *** 1/2
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