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Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War.
All Critics (128) | Top Critics (29) | Fresh (120) | Rotten (8) | DVD (12)
A damning yet idealistic satire about the motives behind U.S. foreign policy. Aug 25, 2008 | Full Review…
A damning yet idealistic satire about the motives behind U.S. foreign policy.
Lisa Alspector
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…
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.
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…
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.
Rick Groen
Interesting and occasionally exhilarating. Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
Interesting and occasionally exhilarating.
James Berardinelli
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
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.
Stanley Kauffmann
Three Kings is one of the most exciting Hollywood action films in years, and the best Vietnam movie since Apocalypse Now. Jan 1, 2000
Three Kings is one of the most exciting Hollywood action films in years, and the best Vietnam movie since Apocalypse Now.
Andrew O'Hehir
One of Hollywood's few films about the Gulf War, David O. Russell's Three Kings is an original war feature that's effective as a social satire as well as political critique. Feb 4, 2011 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
One of Hollywood's few films about the Gulf War, David O. Russell's Three Kings is an original war feature that's effective as a social satire as well as political critique.
Emanuel Levy
Violent, liberal George Clooney Gulf War caper. Dec 15, 2010 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Violent, liberal George Clooney Gulf War caper.
Charles Cassady
Ithis is a career making movie, then its writer/director David O. Russell who deserves the credit with this very creative effort from the debut filmmaker. Jul 6, 2010
Ithis is a career making movie, then its writer/director David O. Russell who deserves the credit with this very creative effort from the debut filmmaker.
Garth Franklin
Three Kings mightn't be the best thought-out or most reassuring movie of the year, but the more I think about it, the more I'm sure that it is one of the best. Jun 28, 2009 | Rating: 89/100
Three Kings mightn't be the best thought-out or most reassuring movie of the year, but the more I think about it, the more I'm sure that it is one of the best.
Philip Martin
It's amazing how much action can be crammed into a movie about a war where most soldiers didn't actually see any action. Three Kings has its fair share of shootouts, none that are merely squeezed in for guilty pleasures. Every shot fired is motivated by c Apr 9, 2009 | Rating: 94/100 | Full Review…
It's amazing how much action can be crammed into a movie about a war where most soldiers didn't actually see any action. Three Kings has its fair share of shootouts, none that are merely squeezed in for guilty pleasures. Every shot fired is motivated by c
Radheyan Simonpillai
Far more intelligent and perceptive than most actioners, yet with enough thrills and spills to satisfy adrenaline junkies. Aug 25, 2008 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Far more intelligent and perceptive than most actioners, yet with enough thrills and spills to satisfy adrenaline junkies.
Film4 Staff
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
Super Reviewer
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A great war film with flawed, unheroic characters. Captures the mercenary spirit of (some) soldiers which undoubtedly exists but is rarely portrayed in war films. There is a beautiful sense of isolation and desperation depicted in this gritty film.
I thought I had previously rated and reviewed this, but I guess not. Directed by David O. Russell, this is a movie based on a true story about three American servicemen during the Gulf War who hatch a plan to make off with a stash of Kuwaiti gold stolen by Saddam Hussein. The three initially decide to make off with the fortune, but the closer they get to finding it, the more they realize the truth and consequences about the role of the U.S. in the part of the world, and the realities of American foreign policy. These revelations have profound impacts on the men, forcing them all to make some tough choices and evaluations. While the set up alone is great, what makes the movie really shine is how ambitious it is in terms of genre classification. It's humorous (at times), quite serious and dramatic at others, and in general a really scathing socio/political satire. Oh eyah, it's also a war film, too. It's a mix that doesn't always work, but manages to in this case, thanks in no small part to the skill of the director. It's not all on him, though. The script is quite great, and very intelligent, the casting is top notch, with the three leads of George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, and Ice Cube all delivering very fine work, providing nicely rounded and developed characters. Yes, even Ice Cube (for those who doubt he actually does having acting skills). The action scenes are well done, and don't upstage the meat of the picture, the camerawork and editing are pretty good, and the fact that the film finds a nice balance between entertaining and enlightening is remarkable. Definitely give this one a shot, it's terrific.
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