Genres

Visitors Review

macgruder 2012-05-18 18:08:34

Good movie

This movie was pretty original. I enjoyed the cast, they were verycompatible with each other. Not only was this movie funny, it also had agood moral tale to tell. The stylized direction was also very well done. It was different than anything I've seen in a while and also the visualswere gritty and bright, to give the audience the feel of being there withthe characters in the desert. This movie also rekindles George Clooney'sclout as a movie actor (after Batman Forever and The Peacemaker put a damperon his screen credentials).

2012-05-18 01:48:46

Very Good Film

This review is from: Three Kings (Snap Case Packaging) (DVD) Three Kings is a very interesting film. It is the type of film that somewhat defies description. At times it is hilarious, and at times it is incredibly sad. If you like films that challenge the norm in film making then this one is for you. However, if you are looking for a war film in the mold of noble WWII films or depressing Vietnam films, Three Kings is neither.

2012-05-16 22:42:17

A different kind of war movie

This is the first big budget movie about the Gulf War, and it is very well done. The look and feel of this movie is very different to any other movies that i have seen. I'm not going to use a lot of big words that no one understands, which i remember seeing when the first reviews were coming out last year. This movie is just cool to watch. The addons for the dvd are quite informative and really add value to the dvd. This would be a great dvd to have in your collection.

krumski 2012-05-16 12:28:28

The Best Film of 1999

Nothing else even came close. This thing got robbed by the Academy, that'sfor sure. Not only should it be up for (and win!) Best Picture, but howabout Best Script, Best Direction, and most certainly Best Cinematogrphy:the look of this film was every bit as memorable as Saving Private Ryan,which it kind of reminded me of, the way the color was so bled out andeverything made to look so parched. It made it gritty and hallucinatory atthe same time. One of the best films ever dealing with war, and anabsolutely original and intoxicating mix of drama, comedy, satire,action/adventure, and bitter political commentary. Another unqualifiedsuccess for writer/director David O. Russell, making him now 3 for 3(Spanking the Monkey and Flirting With Disaster being the other two).

leedy 2012-05-07 02:43:22

Quite the movie

Three Kings, a movie i went into the theatre expecting to see anotherbattle movie about a war. SUrprisingly I was very impressed. As the movieportrays a recent war in the middle east, the three kings clooney, Icecube,and mark walburg go through trials of judgement of morals. This movie hasaunique plot where the people of a smaller country view of a superpower armyof the U.S. As for the cinematography, I thought that it was very unique.The shooting scenes were biologically educating, I thought that the bulletentering the body scene was very interesting. But all in all I thoughtthatthe movie was a great movie with a theme with morals. This movie is notworth missing.

2012-05-06 13:49:19

Action-packed, serious, and funny.

I wasn't crazy about this flick the first time but after renting the DVD I warmed up to it enough to buy it. For a serious movie fan that likes all types this is one for your library. The directing alone is worthwhile, but the action and acting gives this predictable plot what it needs to be entertaining. Make sure you check out the extras and director's commentary if you see the DVD.

2012-05-03 17:06:58

One of the Best Films of 1999!

This film threw the entire cinematic tricks into its production. The film contains awesome cinematography, insane shots, and a really original script. David O. Russel did a really nice job with this film and its a must-see !

BigAl-12 2012-05-03 10:00:59

Lots of action, surreal slaughter, very thin plot.

At first I thought this film surely had the stamp of approval of the DNC,but then again, how can even Democrats support a flick that glorifieskilling and shows lots of bloody, gory scenes? Maybe this was made by far right radicals, who just can't stand formerPresident George Bush, because he let Saddam off the hook. But as for the movie, whoever made it, I'm not worried about giving awaythe plot, since there is so little to give. Rest assured, it shouldn't keepyou on the edge of your seat. If you aren't three steps ahead of these threeclowns, you should join the circus. Clooney is the star who brings in the crowds, but unfortunately, Clooneyis clearly Clooney in this movie, and not a rebellious special forcessoldier. He needs to hurry back to ER and clean up all the blood.

2012-04-29 20:08:29

Ouch, my ears!

I have been a military wife for 8 years and I have never heard such language in my life. I asked my husband if soldiers really talked like that on deployment and he answered an emphatic no. Of course there are the usual swear words, but the way these soldiers acted is expressly against any military code no matter what branch of the service you may be in. I thought this movie was demeaning as well as impossible. It was a total loser flick.

2012-04-29 05:22:25

Great Movie

This is a great movie to add to your DVD collection. It it has a great cast and its direction was very good. If you like good war movies then this is one to get.

tempsht2 2012-04-29 04:27:36

Ahead of Its Time...One of the Most Under-appreciated Films...

A great favorite film of mine that is complex in its analysis ofinternational relations, war, etc. and offers excellent and remarkablyin-depth understanding and accurate critiques of American foreignpolicy.Especially relevant film for those who are looking for a betterunderstanding of the current situation in Iraq. The film is ahead ofits time in many ways such as the aforementioned analysis of foreignpolicy as well as technically in terms of cinematography, writing, etc. Perhaps one of the best parts of the film is that it deals with itsserious subject matter with sharp dialogue and comedy. The comedy is agreat strength in the film that sets it apart from other films thattackle the same sort of issues but without the invaluablelaugh-out-loud comedic aspects which help to make the film a enjoyableexperience.A hugely under-appreciated film. A must see.

2012-04-28 19:50:04

One of the worst

One of the most disappointing movies i've seen in a long time. Tastelesslydirected, rediculously scripted with a uninteresting cast of characters.This movie shows a murdering bunch of soldiers, throwing around andshootingat plastic explosives just for the fun of it. Yes people, those are the"good" guys.

dee.reid 2012-04-26 21:55:02

Great war film, full of violence and laughs

When I saw the previews for Three Kings, I wanted to see it, but because ofa busy summer, I couldn't make it. So when it came out on tape, I rentedit. When I watched it, I had no idea it was going to be an action-comedy ofsorts. The film is set after the Gulf war and four soldiers, GeorgeClooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, and Spike Jonze go out to one of SaddamHussein's bunkers and steal a bunch of gold that Iraq had stolen fromKuwait. Their plan doesn't go so well when shots are fired and Iraqisoldiers are killed and that breaks the cease-fire. I like this film forthree reasons: it has lots of violence, it is very well-written and it isvery funny in some spots. 9/10

2012-04-26 07:21:34

action, drama, comedy wrapped all into one!

What a great movie! I came in not expecting much from this film, and came out of it saying "wow". "Three Kings" is definitely not your cookie cutter war film, but it still has that patriotism and drama that you get from most war movies. Everything about this movie is great - the unique characters, the Gulf War setting and even the whole appearance of the movie itself. This is such an enjoyable film and definitely one to add to the library - especially with all the special features on the DVD!

scaevola 2012-04-24 17:21:44

You gotta watch it to get it. Blow off all the bull you heard. Damn!

There are some things you gotta do. There are some things you F&!#% gottado. There are some things you F%!#+ gotta F@!#^ do. THIS is one of them.That's a pretty good mantra for this film. By all means, watch it. By all means, put the kids to sleep first. But you gotta watch it to get it. Damn. Could *you* go there? Which choices would you make?I have seen every war movie since the beginning of cinema. This one touchedme in a way Private Ryan never will (my career vet Dad always did like BigRed One best--wish he'd lived to see this one with me). I don't care if Idon't appreciate the lead. I don't care that there was a ton of USApropaganda. I just don't care. I don't even care if I have beenmanipulated. I hated the Gulf War and was *not* jazzed. Reminds me of oneof the premiere lines of WWII from an infantry dogface on reaching a blastedcity in Belgium (God bless him): `We liberated the hell out of this place.' Make no mistake -- war is about death. War is hell. Ask any participant(who survived), military or civilian. This film was supremely well done. Even the flaws. There are some things you gotta do…

2012-04-24 10:01:16

Great!

This is one of my alltime favorite movies. It has a great plot with interesting twists all the way through. Not only is it action but it has it's sentimental parts which are a great mix. I love the cast, especially Mark. You should definetly buy this movie, you'll be glad you did.

gbheron 2012-04-22 16:42:27

A Good Adventure Rental

First, "Three Kings" is not a war movie. Certainly, the main characters aresoldiers, both American and Iraqi, and the locale is the Iraqi desertbattlefield immediately after the cessation of hostilities during DesertStorm. But war only provides the backdrop to an old-fashioned adventure yarnthat has more in common with "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" than with"Saving Private Ryan". In "Three Kings", the loot is a fortune in stolenKuwaiti gold whose existence is discovered by a foursome of Americansoldiers while processing Iraqi POWs. The gold's behind Iraqi lines, butthey risk life and limb nonetheless to go fetch it. It's a rip-roaring buddymovie complemented by the good chemistry between Clooney and Wahlberg. It'snot a very deep movie, but certainly measures up to others in the genre andis well worth the rental.

2012-04-22 14:38:39

Great anti-war movie - up there with MASH and Strangelove...

This review is from: Three Kings (Snap Case Packaging) (DVD) Not the film you'd expect after watching the trailers, this has to be one of the best anti-war films in recent memory, ranking right up there with MASH and Dr. Strangelove...Do not miss this film... I guarantee certain scenes will stay with you for weeks. The torture chamber scene is definitely strong, not the physical stuff but the chilling conversation between the American soldier played by Wahlberg and his Iraqui torturer.And if you're tired of all of these DVDs that call a Trailer "bonus material", you'll love the incredible amount of extras included.

b_stard 2012-04-21 20:46:21

Hmmmm, comedy with a touch of odd brutality

This was a well reviewed, (up to now) film that I much wanted to see. I'verather liked Clooney so far, and I'm interested in his transfer to the bigscreen.A mysterious plot line that failed to convince at any point. Conflict can beludicrously stupid at times, but this film didn't get it anywhere nearright.The portrayal of death and comedy, (a la Mash) is not handled with theprevious works pathos. Clooney had most of the filmic situations that should have allowed him torun away with it, but Walhberg and Ice Cube still managed to be morelikeable and sympathetic.It was okay as a sortof dark comedy, but I didn't like itmuch.b_stard

Timothy Gomersall 2012-04-21 08:49:16

An antidote to the summer blockbuster; courageous and original.

In one memorable scene from ‘Three Kings', there is a brief gunfight betweenAmerican and Iraqi troops. Rather than cramming the frame with flyingdebris, however, Russel slows down the action, following each individualbullet from gun to victim with low-framerate cameras that trace each round'spath. A split-second battle extended into thirty seconds, it allows theaudience time to take in the random and impersonal elements of the scenebefore us. It's an excellent example of the main appeal of this film to me;although we all know about the Gulf War from TV, and war films are asfamiliar a genre to us as any other, this film is entirely different in itstone and presentation to anything that has come beforeit.In addition to excellent performances from all involved (Ice T and MarkWahlberg in the same movie... now there's courageous casting), the film isexpertly crafted. The (fittingly quirky) direction, script, bleachedcinematography, and editing are woven together seamlessly, lending even thebleak desert landscapes a distinct character. In spite of its bizarre blendof comedy against graphic violence, of empathy against tension, ‘ThreeKings' preserves a continuity of atmosphere; it is very much a completefilm, each part fitting comfortably into the overall tone of thepiece.There is also a genuine effort made to consider the characters andviewpoints from both sides of the battle; whilst the Iraqi torturer we meetis indeed sadistic, his hatred is born out of a loss brought upon him byAllied bombing, and the film does not shy from the more unpleasant truthsbehind the war. The honesty inherent in this goes some way towardsapologising for films such as 'The Siege', which seem insultingly shallow intheir treatment of similar themes next to this film. Perhaps most importantof all is that the film treats its as intelligent; the assumption is madethat we are responsible enough to deal with the shocks and criticisms thefilm places before us; for a Hollywood studio, this makes for a refreshingchange, and a much superior film to the regular studio fare. The people whomade this film knew that most people don't actually need dappledcinematography and a sweeping orchestral score to whoosh us into emotionalresponses on cue.I would emphasise that ‘Three Kings' is another instance of a film not donejustice by its publicity; I saw a trailer for it before 'The Beach' whichmade it look like a Gulf War action film, with Clooney and company shootingand driving their way through ranks of Iraqi soldiers. This does no justicewhatsoever to a film which is richly diverse and genuinely thought-provokingin its content. It's like advertising American Beauty as a straightforwardcomedy (oh no, wait, they did...). It's a trend that increasingly continuesto damage exciting new films by making them seem generic and unoriginal.On the verge of global release after its undeservedly lukewarm response inAmerica, I fear many will perhaps have been put off this film by itsinappropriately gung-ho trailer; to any such people who might now be lookingto these pages for further feedback, I would say this; while the film doesindeed have several highly original and genuinely tense action set-pieces,it is primarily a thoughtful and courageous reconsideration of a war whichwas maybe not quite as ‘won' as we all thought it was, and deals with theethical connotations of the hasty Allied withdrawal responsibly andeffectively.This is a great film, refreshing in its style and important in its message.If you've seen the trailer, don't worry- it's the most innovative andcomplex ‘action' film you'll ever watch. Go and see it before summerarrives, and be reminded exactly why films like this should be treasured,and encouraged. Top marks.