By Chris Howell
“The Kingdom” is sure to garner interest from people in this country, primarily because of its strong message of terrorism and tolerance. It doesn’t hurt that everyone loves to watch a good old fashioned shoot ‘em up every now and then
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The movie is directed by Peter Berg, a former actor turned director. He has acted in television and the big screen, with roles in “Smokin’ Aces,” “The King of Queens,” and “21 Jump Street.” He also directed the popular movie “Friday Night Lights” in 2004.
Jeremy Piven, who acts on the popular HBO series Entourage, has a small role in the movie as an ambassador for the United States.
“The Kingdom” opens with terrorists bombing the compound of an American oil company in Saudi Arabia - twice. Hundreds of American workers and their families are killed in the bombings.
The FBI investigative unit, including agent Ronald Fleury (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx) and bomb specialist Grant Sykes (Academy Award winner Chris Cooper), forensics expert Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner) and agent Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman) soon learns that among the dead is an FBI colleague and friend. They must now investigate the bombings and avenge the colleagues’ death.
They are met with resistance from American leaders as well as the Saudi police and soldiers. But Fleury’s team will stop at nothing to get answers. Their determination earns the respect of a Saudi police officer, Colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom) who helps them finally get down in the dirt, literally, and find some clues.
Overall, the acting in this movie is fair, although Foxx once again gives a forceful performance. He maintains the image of a strong leader throughout. Jennifer Garner will give you flashbacks to her days on “Alias,” performing well during the action sequences.
The middle of the movie seems to drag, with not much action taking place. Instead, the time is spent to really develop the characters and hint at who may be responsible for the bombings.
The action sequences are entertaining, but a bit unrealistic at times. These are trained gunmen, but it’s hard to believe that five people could take out about 50 Saudi soldiers without being hit by a single bullet.
The movie makes several references to the current war on terror. Fleury asks a Saudi if he knows where Bin Laden is. There’s a re-enactment of a video-taped beheading.
By the end, the movie wants us to understand that each side believes it is in the right and they will “kill anyone who stands in the way.” The camera cuts back and forth as the Americans and Saudis express the sentiment.
As far as shoot em’ up thrillers go, this movie does a good job of keeping you interested and trying to solve the mystery. If you enjoy thrillers with big explosions, this movie is for you.
“The Kingdom” could benefit from less talk and more action. Still, it receives 3 out of a possible 5 grenades.
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