The Kingdom
THE KINGDOM: COME FOR THE STORY, STAY FOR THE ACTION
The United States relies heavily on Saudi Arabia for oil. Saudi Arabia is the number one producer. The United States is the number one consumer. In The Kingdom, an American site is bombed in Saudi Arabia. A crew of FBI agents travels there to find out who did it. The cast and the story are the main attraction. But the action will keep you in your seat.
Terrorists bomb an American site during a baseball game. Agent Fleury (Jamie Foxx) and his team want to go to find the guys that are responsible. They find resistance. They are told it is for their protection. Agent Fleury manipulates the Saudi Arabia ambassador. They are given five days to find the bombers. Sergeant Haytham (Ali Suliman) is put in charge of them. Fleury and his group butt heads with the Sergeant but eventually find a mutual cause.
The story is a political one with intelligence. It brings awareness to an international relationship that is not always prevalent in the news. The beginning gives the background on the U.S. and Saudi Arabia relationship. It sheds a positive light on the Saudis that want to preserve their relationship with the U.S. It does away with the stereotype that all Saudis are terrorists. The cast is fine but you don’t feel the camaraderie that should be there. All of the action sequences are the best part of the film. The last 40 minutes of the movie you won’t want to leave your seat. It starts off with a nail biting scene where the crew’s motorcade is attacked. Then Jennifer Garner has an awesome fight scene that will have you holding your breath. You don’t know what is going to happen next. The film was mostly shot in Arizona. You think you are actually in Saudi Arabia.
Jason Bateman’s character is written as too much of the American rebel who has a smart mouth. It is a character that is familiar and has been seen before. It could have been toned down for more believability.
Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights, The Rundown) knows his way around an action film. He gives us a smart action thriller with The Kingdom. The cast is good but not great. Arizona and the sets built double for Saudi Arabia.
Story-B
Acting-B+
Visuals-B+
Originality/Innovation-B
Enjoyability Grade–B+
Overall Grade-B+
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