The Kingdom (2007)

Sadly Over-hyped

Great Film overall

Don't listen to the negative reviews

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

"The kingdom" is one of those movies that fly a bit under the radar. While providing an illustrious cast, it never really reached the popularity of other comparable films.There are several aspects why this, in my opinion, is a mistake. First of all, it is a more than solid action movie. It is nicely made, holds the suspense high, while trying to add some politics and philosophy. Most of the actors play superb, including an astonishing performance given by Jamie Foxx. Secondly it avoids painting black and white, although at some points it is not far away.As usual, there are also some things I disliked. One is that again we have kind of an American team of superheroes, that just magically seems to survive and win every battle against dozens of villains in battle sequences that were a bit too long for my taste. The other is the character of the American ambassador, that just seemed a bit more like out of a comedy, a sector that is in general not a big strength of this movie, whenever it tries to be funny it gets questionable.What convinced me at the end was indeed the message. Killing people, no matter how inevitable it may seem, always produces hate. You can't eliminate terrorists without setting root to the next generation of war because you eliminate relatives, neighbors, friends, at the same time. I don't have a solution for this. But it makes you think. And that's always good for a movie.

I was intrigued by this movie when I caught it on NetFlix a few years ago (sadly, it's no longer available there). An elite FBI team (for some reason) lobbies for, and then is assigned, despite much opposition, to investigate a well-planned terrorist attack on an American compound in the 'Kingdom', presumably Saudi Arabia. Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper are compelling (I will watch anything with Chris Cooper in it - awesome in supporting roles in 'Horse Whisperer, 'Sea Biscuit' and the Bourne entries, and magnificent in 'Breach'), as are the actors who play the Arab nationals who 'host' the FBI team.There is much culture clash to be overcome when the FBI team arrives, toting Jennifer Garner as the mandated-by-cliché tough chick. A lot of conflict must be overcome if the team is to get to the bottom of the who and how causes of the attack, including restrictions on where the team may stray in their investigation, plus some conflict with the embittered American nationals who were the object of the attack.A surprise abduction and attempted rescue climaxes this story, which will have your pulse racing, but, generally, I found the dialogue between Jamie Foxx's team and the Arab liaison staff, plus the growing bond of friendship, most compelling. You will have to put up with an (unnecessary) array of f-bombs, unless you catch a sanitized version of the film. 9/10

The media and society has made out that all Middle eastern countries are "full of terrorists" or "dangerous as hell." With almost all 9/11 hijackers being from Saudi Arabia, the country known as "The Kingdom" is a front-runner for fear. This country is famous for its endless amount of oil and wealth, the home of Osama Bin laden, and the economic relations with the U.S. The setting of Saudi Arabia for an action-packed thriller fits perfect. 'The Kingdom' stars Jamie Fox as a government agent who leads a team into Saudi Arabia to catch a terrorist responsible for a brutal attack on a U.s> embassy in Saudi Arabia. His team includes, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, and a Saudi Arabia agent. All American actors besides Fox are horribly ill-cast. None of them are appropriate for their roles. Cooper is too old, Bateman is a comedian, and garner should be a Disney princess, not a warrior. The film takes a while to investigate the murders, and while were in Saudi Arabia, we see the setting perfectly. Director Peter Berg uses intense editing and vivacious camera-work to bring an energy filled story with a chilling ending. Writer Matthew Michael Carnahan ends with a brilliant twist at the ed to sow how the United Sates and Middle east truly do not have a safe relationship. Everyone is affected by the tension after 9/11, even kids is what he's trying to say. The lasts half hour of "The Kingdom' is some of the most fast-paced action in cinematic history. The sequence couldn't have been done in a more entertaining fashion. This film brings up how Saudi Arabia may not be the economic frontier we thought it was, but more of a death trap for American security. It's a complex film that shows how there are good and bad people in every setting no matter how menacing they may seem. You won't be able to stop thinking about it.

Don't be fooled by The Kingdom's trailer or teaser: the promise of a Syriana-like political thriller with deep characters and complex plots is not fulfilled despite the interesting first third of the movie.The movie starts with an interesting premise and savors the viewer with what could have been done with the story play. It puts some interest context and then throw in characters that the viewer might even start to like. However, it is not long before the story goes downhill and all complexity and elaborate plots are replaced by your run-of-the-mill shootout movie full of stock characters: the old-school know-it-all guy, the trigger-happy stud, the enlightened member of enemy camp who has 'seen the light' and wants to do the right thing, the overachiever female that needs to work extra hard to prove her worth and so on.It still has very good photography and, for those who like, wobbling hand-held camera shots. Just lower your expectations before watching it.