Review of Three Kings (1999) by Joey S — 10 Jan 2013

A very fun and visually interesting action-comedy from David O. Russell, Three Kings is thrillingly stylized but a little bit all over the place in a few scenes, for better or worse. It never really decides whether it wants to be taken seriously or not, with a number of characters and scenes being intentionally over-the-top for comedic effect, yet there are also scenes in which the movie takes itself deadly serious.

Whether it is or isn't trying to take itself seriously aside, the movie is very exciting and well-written, and the four co-stars are all fantastic. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Spike Jonze is actually a very good actor, as I had only known him as the director of two (incredible) movies, Adaptation and Being John Malkovich.

An above average action-drama-comedy, even if it seems a little messy at times.