By watching the trailer and the commercials, one gets the impression that Three Kings is a hybrid of action, comedy, and drama. Well it is - sort of. In reality it is a drama above all with some truly funny lines and scenes thrown in. The action sequences are incredible. Not the kind of incredible that we saw in the D-Day sequence of Saving Private Ryan but more of type that we loved in the Matrix. Don't be fooled by what you see and hear - this movie is a drama.
Some excellent points are raised in this film. It is a socially conscious war movie, the likes of which I don't think I have seen. It takes a completely different spin on the Gulf War. It blames the U.S. government for telling the Iraqis to rebel against Saddam and then not helping them as they are slaughtered. Immense sympathy is created for the Iraqi people whether they are civilians or members of Saddam's army. Were we wrong for what we did in 1991? What did we win? Money? Oil? Gold (as the heroes of the film are searching for)? Self respect?
Aesthetically, the film is great. The film stock is faded to not only give the film an aged quality but it also shows the washed out view of the war itself. As the heroes become more aware of what is occurring around them and decide to do something, the stock becomes more standard. The color becomes more "normal." Furthermore, the use of hand held cameras and panning gives the viewer a sense of being in the action or cavern or crowd (depending upon the scene). For example, we are cinematically placed inside of a truck as it flips over; on the big screen it looks awesome!
For all of the film's great aspects - message, aesthetics, acting (which was great). The writing lacked. Although the characters were well witten, the plot was filled with cliches and became too preachy at times. It is as if sympathy for the Iraqis was being shoved down our throat. The film didn't think that we the viewers would follow what they wanted to say. In addition, there was a great deal of moving around as if the plot wasn't really sure what it wanted to do. What this film lacked, other war films like M*A*S*H excelled in.
In all, the script really brought down what could have been a great film.
Some excellent points are raised in this film. It is a socially conscious war movie, the likes of which I don't think I have seen. It takes a completely different spin on the Gulf War. It blames the U.S. government for telling the Iraqis to rebel against Saddam and then not helping them as they are slaughtered. Immense sympathy is created for the Iraqi people whether they are civilians or members of Saddam's army. Were we wrong for what we did in 1991? What did we win? Money? Oil? Gold (as the heroes of the film are searching for)? Self respect?
Aesthetically, the film is great. The film stock is faded to not only give the film an aged quality but it also shows the washed out view of the war itself. As the heroes become more aware of what is occurring around them and decide to do something, the stock becomes more standard. The color becomes more "normal." Furthermore, the use of hand held cameras and panning gives the viewer a sense of being in the action or cavern or crowd (depending upon the scene). For example, we are cinematically placed inside of a truck as it flips over; on the big screen it looks awesome!
For all of the film's great aspects - message, aesthetics, acting (which was great). The writing lacked. Although the characters were well witten, the plot was filled with cliches and became too preachy at times. It is as if sympathy for the Iraqis was being shoved down our throat. The film didn't think that we the viewers would follow what they wanted to say. In addition, there was a great deal of moving around as if the plot wasn't really sure what it wanted to do. What this film lacked, other war films like M*A*S*H excelled in.
In all, the script really brought down what could have been a great film.