Three Kings

1999

Three Kings

Critics Consensus

Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War.

94%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 129

77%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 186,074
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Movie Info

The Gulf War is over, and three soldiers want to go home rich. Major Archie Gates retires in two weeks. Sergeant Troy Barlow is a new father. Chief Elgin is on a four-month paid vacation from Detroit. Saddam Hussein stole a great deal of gold from Kuwait, and these soldiers have no problem with stealing it from him. But on their way to collect their booty, they bear witness to the the disturbing results of the war effort. President Bush has encouraged Iraqi citizens to fight back against Saddam and pledged to support them, but when they rise up, they get NO American support, and they're getting slaughtered. As the soldiers realize the true situation in Iraq, they're confronted with their own humanity, and they're forced to rethink who they are and what they're doing.

Cast

Mark Wahlberg
as Troy
George Clooney
as Archie
Ice Cube
as Chief
Spike Jonze
as Conrad
Nora Dunn
as Adrianna
Jamie Kennedy
as Walter
Mykelti Williamson
as Colonel Horn
Cliff Curtis
as Amir Abdullah
Saïd Taghmaoui
as Captain Said
Judy Greer
as Cathy
Liz Stauber
as Debbie
Holt McCallany
as Captain Van Meter
Pete Antico
as [uncredited] Oasis Bunker Guard
Ali Alkind
as Deserter No. 1
Jim Gaffigan
as Soldier
Jay Giannone
as Sniper
Sam Hassan
as Oasis Bunker Sniper
Christopher Lohr
as Teebaux
Peter Macdissi
as Oasis Bunker Lieutenant
Basim Ridha
as Black Robe Leader
Mohammed Sharafi
as Iraqi Soldier
Jon Sklaroff
as Paco
Marsha Horan
as Amir's Wife
Alia Shawkat
as Amir's Daughter
Jabir Algarawi
as Hairdressing Twin
Ghanem Algarawi
as Hairdressing Twin
Bonnie Afsary
as Western Dressed Village Woman
Jacqueline Abi-Ad
as Traditional Village Woman
Fadil Al-Badri
as Deserter Leader
Al No-Omani
as Kaied
Sayed Badreya
as Iraqi Tank Major
Magdi Rashwan
as Iraqi Troop Carrier Major
Alex Dodd
as Iraqi First Kill Soldier
Larry "Tank" Jones
as Berm. Soldier/Truck Driver
Patrick O'Neal Jones
as Berm. Soldier
Shawn Pilot
as Berm. Soldier
Bret Bassett
as Berm. Soldier
Al Whiting
as Camp Soldier/Truck Driver
Brian Patterson
as Camp Soldier/Truck Driver
Scott Dillon
as Camp Soldier
Kwesi Okai Hazel
as Camp Soldier
Joseph Richard Romanov
as Camp Soldier
Christopher B. Duncan
as Camp Soldier
Randy W. McCoy
as Camp Soldier
Mark Rhodes
as Camp Soldier
Scott Pearce
as Camp Soldier
Gary Parker
as Civil Affairs Company Clerk
Haidar Alatowa
as Saudi Translator
Salah Salea
as Iraqi Soldier with Map
Doug Jones
as Dead Iraqi Soldier
Farinaz Farrokh
as Iraqi Civilian Mother With Baby
Omar 'Freefly' Alhegelan
as Bunker 1 Lying Iraqi
Hassan Allawati
as Bunker 1 Friendly Iraqi
Sara Aziz
as Pleading Civilian Woman
A. Halim Mostafa
as Iraqi Civilian Man
Mustafa Al Bakhti
as Bunker 2 Store Room Captain
Anthony Batarse
as Iraqi Interrogation Sergeant
Mohamad Al-Jalahma
as Bunker 2 Iraqi Rifle Loader
Hillel Michael Shamam
as Bunker 2 Store Room Guard
Joey Naber
as Iraqi Radio Operator
Tony Shawkat
as Oasis Bunker Iraqi Republican Guard
Joseph Abi-Ad
as Oasis Bunker Iraqi Republican Guard
Fahd Al-Ujaimy
as Oasis Bunker Troy's Interrogation
Derick Qaqish
as Oasis Bunker Troy's Interrogation Guard
Hassan Bach-Agha Fadi Sitto
as Oasis Bunker Troy's Republican
Abdullah Al-Dawalem
as Deserter
Rick Mendoza
as Deserter
Jassim Al-Khazraji
as Oasis Bunker Republican Roof Guard
Haider Alkindi
as Oasis Bunker Fleeing Republican Guard
Kalid Mustafa
as Oasis Bunker Fleeing Republican Guard
Ghazwyn Ramiawi
as Oasis Bunker Fleeing Republican Guard
Raad Thomasian
as Oasis Bunker Fleeing Republican Guard
Wessam Saleh
as Oasis Bunker Fleeing Republican Guard
Brian Bosworth
as Action Star
Donte Delila
as Iraqi Child
Cheryl Rusa
as Iraqi Villager
Dylan Brown
as Iraqi Child
Troy Hartman
as Military Film Actor (uncredited)
Brad Martin
as Military Film Actor (uncredited)
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Critic Reviews for Three Kings

All Critics (129) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (121) | Rotten (8)

  • [Russell] not only has designed an action-adventure laced with incendiary humor but a movie that wants to explore race, politics, war, the media and U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. In large measure, he pulls it off with breathtaking aplomb.

    Oct 25, 2019 | Full Review…

    Kirk Honeycutt

    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic

  • A damning yet idealistic satire about the motives behind U.S. foreign policy.

    Aug 25, 2008 | Full Review…

    Lisa Alspector

    Chicago Reader
    Top Critic

  • The last reel descends into a muddle of trade-offs, heroic about-turns and romanticised rebels, but this is defiant, provocative cinema; Russell may yet prove a film-maker to treasure.

    Feb 9, 2006 | Full Review…
    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • No, Three Kings is not a great picture, but it is a very good one, perhaps the first feature of merit to come out of the Gulf War.

    Apr 25, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Rick Groen

    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic

  • Interesting and occasionally exhilarating.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    James Berardinelli

    ReelViews
    Top Critic

  • Russell does so well by his sub-text that the flaws in the text itself become less bothersome. What he is after fundamentally is ... war is insane.

    Jan 1, 2000

    Stanley Kauffmann

    The New Republic
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (129)

Audience Reviews for Three Kings

  • Sep 11, 2018
    Three Kings is not my usual sort of thing, I watched it on the suggestion of a complete stranger, and I don't know that I'll ever watch it again. But I do think that it's a good movie, so I'm going to pass that buck and say, that those of you who like me had never seen this nearly twenty year old movie, give it a chance.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Jul 22, 2017
    What this film does well was it's blending of a great plot with some good action and humour to top it off, The film is helped by how unexpected some scenes are and how smoothly it goes along, I was hoping for a few more action scenes but the story got more serious as it went on and it ended brilliantly, Not your typical war movie but it's certainly one of the best.
    Jamie C Super Reviewer
  • Aug 19, 2014
    This is quite simply the best anti-war movie since Catch 22. Wild, whacko, irreverent, chaotic, you are never sure what will happen next or where your loyalties lie. The innate utter stupidity of war is beautifully exposed, as are the often all too ordinary motivations of those who participate in it - lust for adventure, fame, promotion, wealth, but also sudden compassion, honesty and reflection. A roller coaster ride of action and thrills with sudden counterpoints of instant horror that make you think and ashamed of yourself for laughing out loud just a moment before. If this doesn't shake some holy beliefs in the truth of what we are told, and the justification for what we are doing, nothing will. Highly recommended! 4 Stars 4-2-14
    Bruce B Super Reviewer
  • Jun 21, 2014
    [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
    Directors C Super Reviewer
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