Three Kings
Australian Rating: MA15+
Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze.
What you must understand about Three kings before you even decide whether you want to see it or not, is that it is NOT what it seems. Surprise surprise, a film out of America manages to be intelligent, occasionally hysterical and exciting simultaneously.
The plot is at first deceptively simple: It's the end of the Gulf War, march 1991. The American troops are still present and despite the encouragement of president George Bush for the Kuwaitis to rise up against Sadam Hussein, the US is hardly concerned with giving them any assistance. A map of the location of an Iraqi bunker, in which Kuwaiti gold is hidden, is found. Four soldiers (Clooney, Wahlberg, Cube and Jonze) set out to find the gold, keen to take a reward with them when they return home. However it doesn't go as planned and friction builds between the American's and the Iraqis.
For once the enemy is not demonised and the Iraqis are actually allowed to develop personalities and a voice, as we are treated to rare view of what it was like from their perspective. Three Kings is not a guts and glory film, but one with heart.
Three Kings is definitely an original film. The camerawork and visuals are delightfully eccentric - we even get to follow the path of a bullet, and see what it does to its victim - and the soundtrack a clever mix of new electronic sounds and ancient middle eastern music. Once it builds speed the film does not let up until the collossal finale and poignant conclusion. The performances of all the stars are excellent. Each of the main actors fits their roles perfectly. Also of great note is ***** as a female reporter, chasing the story of the stolen gold and ***** as an Iraqi interrogator, acting by necessity (you'll see what this means when you see the film), from whom we glean a marvellous picture of life on the other side.
Exceptionally different, marvellously crafted, funny, exciting, a complete package. Three Kings is what an American movie of its type rarely is. Well-crafted all round. There is no real reason you should not like it, unless you are offended by coarse language or violence.
This film is excellent. See it as soon as possible!
By the way, kudos to anyone who noticed the bodgy patchup job I did on the move poster above...
Last updated: 15 July, 2000