The Kingdom Review
By David Kempler
Instant Revenge
Wouldn't it be great if we could fight real wars on the big screen instead of in person. TV veteran director Peter Berg has fashioned a feel-good war movie. Lots of action. Lots of explosions and the "good guys" win. Yea team! "The Kingdom" is an attempt to capture our collective angst about 9/11 and present us with retribution because, let's face it, we aren't getting the real thing.
At the outset of the film, Berg presents us with a sort of Readers Digest view of the history of Saudi Arabia, oil, and the relations between Saudi Arabia and America. It has the feel of cheesy documentary like the ones you sometimes see on television that were produced in the 50's and 60's.
An American compound in Saudi Arabia is blown up by terrorists, most likely Saudis. Little children playing baseball perish in the explosions just in case we aren't angry enough. FBI agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) is back in America watching the carnage on TV. To hell with policy, he is going there with a team to take matters into his own hands. The usual suits in government try to stop Agent Fleury but you can guess who wins this little game. Fleury is driven to exact revenge or at least catch the people responsible. His team has 5 days to accomplish their goal. Reality, no. Good action shoot-em-up, yes.
Once in Saudi Arabia, Agent Fleury is looked after by Colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom), at first a stiff follower of orders. The Americans, led by Fleury, magically turn him into a feel-good nice dude. Together they will find those bad guys and make them pay.
The rest of "The Kingdom" is an MTVesque version of combat, with rapid fire-a-plenty, dazzling explosions and breakneck pace. You all know how the festivities will close and despite this the whole thing is rollicking good fun. Just try not to pay too much attention to how insanely impossible the whole tale is.
