Review of Three Kings (1999) by Brian R — 03 Jan 2013

One of the best anti-war pictures I have ever seen. Filmmaker David O. Russell adds in satire, comedy, drama, great editing, a realistic understanding of Arabs, daring cinematography, horrific war imagery, and a great cast to add to the table flawlessly.

The movie takes place at the end of the Gulf War of 1991 ("Operation Desert Storm). The first words set the tone: "Are we shooting?" The truce is so new that soldiers are not sure, and a guy waving a white flag gets his head shot off in a misunderstanding. Tragic. Three U.S. soldiers find an Iraqi with a piece of paper stuck in between his anus. An officer issues a rubber glove and tells a private to pull if out. The map shows the location of gold bullion looted from Kuwait by Saddam Hussein's troops and buried in secret bunkers. The three soldiers are Sgt. Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg), Chief Elgin (Ice Cube) and Pvt. Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze). They attract the attention of Sgt. Maj. Archie Gates (George Clooney), a Special Forces veteran who decides on the spot to lead them on a vendetta mission to steal the treasure. This involves dumping the cable news reporter he's been assigned to escort. She's Adriana Cruz, played by Nora Dunn. Three Kings is a great picture.