Three Kings (1999)

Dir David O Russell

Written by David O Russell (story John Ridley)

George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube, Spike Jonze, Jamie Kennedy, Nora Dunn, Judy Greer, Mykelti Williamson, Holt McCallany, Cliff Curtis.

After the end of the gulf war, a group of bored soldiers discover a map to a bunker that might contain gold stolen by Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. Deciding to go find it, they discover that despite the war being over, there is still conflict between the Republican Guard and the anti Saddam rebels. Their simple day trip turns into a race to get the rebels back to the safety of Iran.

Impressively directed from Russell, with some great action sequences, as well as some graphic war depictions including what soldiers are willing to do to their enemies. There are also some well made sequences in what exactly happens to someone when they are shot.

The primary setting is the Middle East; however it was filmed entirely within deserts in North Americas, with the colour palettes used by Russell to resemble that of the middle east.

The plot is relatively easy to follow, and the characters are mostly likeable. Even the characters who are part of the Republican Guard are given well written dialogue within the screenplay that the audience is able to be somewhat sympathetic their characters too. This is all helped by strong performances.

For the performers, Clooney is always on point as the lead Gates; however he does feel like he might just be doing his ‘Clooney’ thing where he is just being himself. What can I say, the guy is just likeable. Jonze (director of Being John Malkovich) is very good as Conrad – the ‘fourth’ King. I felt like Wahlberg struggled a little with some of the heavier work, and his character goes through that quite some.

Still very watchable, and yet another film from my favourite year of cinema 1999.