| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
B |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
B |
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| Visuals: |
B+ |
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Berg Rocks This Kingdom To It's Core
by Eric (movies profile)
Jan 28, 2008
16
of
21 people found this review helpful
In our fourth year in Iraq, almost six years after 9/11, we have learned more about the Middle East than ever before, and yet we’ve only scratched the surface. The movies that have come out about these predominately Islamic states have painted a harsh look on these countries, from their rugged climates to their strict religious codes that make most Christian groups look like hippies. In a time where our two cultures are colliding in what most people want to think is a winner-take-all scenario; a movie like the Kingdom seems almost naive. And for the most part, I would agree, but not for the reasons most would use. And yet I find myself comforted by this movie in ways that might baffle most people.
The Kingdom in question is Saudi Arabia. The best part of the film is the opening credits where we are told the history of this country from the 30’s to September 11, 2001. This sets us up with an understanding of how the relationship between the US and the Saudis is one of a love-hate variety. We watch a terrorist double-whammy take place where American workers live while working for oil companies. A single bomber starts off what would be a much bigger attack during the confusion of ambulances and military. This attack makes the news and an FBI team lead by Ronald Fleury (Jaime Foxx) wants to get involved in the investigation. Big problem: The Saudi government doesn’t like American intervention in their affairs. But that doesn’t stop Fleury from blackmailing the Saudi ambassador to getting the approval to go. This, of course is behind the Attorney General’s (Danny Huston in a decent cameo) back. But getting to go was the easy part, the hard part begins when they get there only to find that the Saudi Military have placed them with Colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom). He’s that one good cop who believes that detective work is much more effective than torture (which is why he’s babysitting this FBI team).
The movie ultimately has three acts; the first act deals with how the team (with also stars Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper, and Jason Bateman) gets to work around the bureaucracy to be allowed to investigate. The second act is the actual investigation, where they find out who did it and how. And then, after a red herring (that anyone who has seen Silence of the Lambs can tell is a herring), the last 25 minutes is entirely action-packed. I would have been offended by the final act if it weren’t so well done. To be honest, it relegates everything we’ve experienced earlier to merely a filler to get to this point. What was a movie about two different cultures and how they solve a crime immediately becomes just another action movie. And with that said, this is one of the best gunfights this year.
But let’s talk about the first two acts. Yes, it’s your basic police procedural, but it also has some great moments when we get to know Al Ghazi as a character. He’s not really happy about the FBI coming involved, but his government won’t allow him to do his job (which we somewhat suspect they might be intentionally trying to blunder). He’s that character that believes in right and wrong, and isn’t afraid of standing up for those values. We find ourselves rooting for him most of the time because he’s the one character that we really get to know. The FBI team is seen as cogs in the machine of justice with only a couple of scenes where Fleury is talking to his son (and that feels forced just a little). The screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan seems to express more than what is seen, which leads me to think that a good chunk of his story was altered or taken out of the final product.
Director Peter Berg has made a movie that is entertaining, but seems to be insisting that it’s more than it really is; an action thriller. It seems that he was wanting to blend the good times of The Rundown with the more humble and thought-provoking Friday Night Lights into a movie that really shouldn’t have it both ways. And yet the movie does work and more effectively than it should have. But is that a credit to Berg as a director, or was he an obstacle to his own film’s success?
All in all, most people are going to enjoy this film’s action. And why not, since one of the film’s producer is Michael Mann (of Heat and Miami Vice for those who don’t know). And yet those who are looking for more might be disappointed. And why not, since terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism are very topical without the Hollywood shootout. But either way you want this movie to be, you will be holding on tight to the very end. |
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