The Kingdom - It's Saudi Doody Time!
The Kingdom C
Starring Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jason Bateman, and Jennifer Garner
Directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights)
Rated R for intense sequences of graphic brutal violence, and for language
Appropriate for ages 17+
The Story: When a terrorist bomb goes off in a Western housing complex in Saudi Arabia, an elite team of FBI investigators negotiate their way in to investigate. While there, they find themselves in the middle of a political nightmare, fighting both the U.S. and the Saudis for the ability to run a proper investigation.
The Good: As a history and world economy lesson, Kingdom proves a strong resource. If any of the elements of this fictional film are accurate and if this is how these kinds of things go down, then I have to admit that the tale is intriguing. The only performances worth noting are the typically great Cooper and the comedy relief by Bateman. I always enjoy these two and this film is no different.
The Bad: Foxx's ego is just a little too strong for a role such as this. I like him when he performs with humility, like in Ray or Collateral, but when he is the hotshot - he comes off the wrong way. Should they have switched Foxx and Cooper's characters - this could have been a better (and more believable) film.
Also, I think that the film tries too hard to gain credibility. It's a mystery/thriller that wants to be a serious drama. Had they toned it down and not tried to make the film seem so important, it might have been more enjoyable.
The Summary: What could have been an incredible political thriller feels more like a good episode of The A-Team.
If this review is true, then I'll actually pay to see it. I don't need any crappy liberal propaganda campaign like Valley of Ellaughable. Keep the liberal propaganda in the "mainstream" media and leave my entertainment alone.
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