FBMR - Three Kings

I remember when this movie first came out, critics were calling it hilarious, and the trailer looked like it was supposed to be a comedy. I was very disappointed because I didn't find it all that funny. Sure there are some funny lines, here and there, but the humour is rather dark, and somewhat twisted at times.

Upon seeing this film again, and removing the comedic-hype from my mind, I was able to truly appreciate this film for what it is. I've never seen a movie like it. Director David O. Russell plays with the colour, and creates some very creative visuals. His camera technique is also quite original which enhances the surreal feel of the film.

The story starts of simply enough. The war has just ended, and the troops are busy disarming the Iraqi soldiers they encounter. Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) comes across a map that could be the secret location of the gold that Saddam had stolen from Kuwait. Together with Sgt. Chief Elgin (Ice Cube), Pvt. Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze, director of the film BEING JOHN MALKOVICH), and Archie Gates (George Clooney), they head out on an unauthourized expedition to steal the gold for themselves. Their plan is to go in, take the gold, leave, be back by lunch. Unfortunately, the plan gets moved off-track when they develop a conscience.

There are also a lot of issues raised in this movie, who's right and who's wrong, why are the Americans really fighting, who should or should not be helped, and so on. These serve to enlighten that this is more that just your average war flick, and that this was a war like no other that the Americans have fought.


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THREE KINGS (1999) *** I remember when this movie first came out, critics were calling it hilarious, and the trailer looked like it was supposed to be a comedy. I was very disappointed because I didn't find it all that funny. Sure there are some funny lines, here and there, but the humour is rather dark, and somewhat twisted at times. Upon seeing this film again, and removing the comedic-hype from my mind, I was able to truly appreciate this film for what it is. I've never seen a movie like it. Director David O. Russell plays with the colour, and creates some very creative visuals. His camera technique is also quite original which enhances the surreal feel of the film. The story starts of simply enough. The war has just ended, and the troops are busy disarming the Iraqi soldiers they encounter. Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) comes across a map that could be the secret location of the gold that Saddam had stolen from Kuwait. Together with Sgt. Chief Elgin (Ice Cube), Pvt. Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze, director of the film BEING JOHN MALKOVICH), and Archie Gates (George Clooney), they head out on an unauthourized expedition to steal the gold for themselves. Their plan is to go in, take the gold, leave, be back by lunch. Unfortunately, the plan gets moved off-track when they develop a conscience. There are also a lot of issues raised in this movie, who's right and who's wrong, why are the Americans really fighting, who should or should not be helped, and so on. These serve to enlighten that this is more that just your average war flick, and that this was a war like no other that the Americans have fought.