Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Set in Saudi Arabia, The Kingdom is a political action thriller with good acting and wonderful visuals. Its so-so script, though, at times meanders aimlessly until a good explosion jolts the viewer's attention back to the screen. Jamie Foxx stars as FBI special agent Ronald Fleury, who leads an elite team into Saudi Arabia to find the terrorists who attacked American employees working in the Middle East. He has been given the unlikely deadline of five days to infiltrate the compound, with just his wit and his crew, which includes forensics expert Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), explosives guru Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), and intelligence analyst Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman). It's unclear how helpful smarmy U.S. diplomat Damon Schmidt (Jeremy Piven) will be, but Fleury knows enough to surmise that the media-hungry Schmidt might not be completely trustworthy. Foxx and Garner have wonderful screen presence, but it's Bateman and Piven who get the best lines. Director Peter Berg peppers The Kingdom with actors he has worked with in the past. Berg, who guest-starred on Alias opposite Garner, casts Tim McGraw in a small role here. (The country singer also had a co-starring role in Berg's 2004 film Friday Night Lights.) And Kyle Chandler and Minka Kelly--two of Berg's lead actors from the Friday Night Lights television series, , make appearances in The Kingdom. The action sequences he creates are impressive and generate a sense of panic that The Kingdom producer Michael Mann (Miami Vice) undoubtedly applauds. While a tauter script would've rounded out the action nicely, the action in many cases does speak for itself. --Jae-Ha Kim
Product Description
Thriller starring Jamie Foxx and Chris Cooper. When a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury (Foxx) quickly assembles an elite team and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. Upon landing in the desert kingdom, however, Fleury and his team discover Saudi authorities suspicious and unwelcoming of American interlopers into what they consider a local matter. Hamstrung by protocol, and with the clock ticking on their five days, the FBI agents find their expertise worthless without the trust of their Saudi counterparts who want to locate the terrorist in their homeland on their own terms. Fleury's crew finds a like-minded partner in Saudi Police Captain Al-Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom), who helps them navigate royal politics and unlock the secrets of the crime scene and the workings of an extremist hell bent on further destruction.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
The movie starts sets out its stall right at the start, with the titles overlaying a potted history of Saudi so far, and how we came to the present time and the tenuous `alliance' between the US and Saudi. From there we have a terrorist event which takes place in Riyadh, targeting Americans, so that the FBI feel the need to send a team, led by Jamie Foxx, and including an unlikely but strangely believable crew including Jennifer Garner (Alias, Elektra) and Jason Bateman (Arrested Develoment). They have to work closely with the at first distant Saudi police Colonel whose job it is to protect them.
What follows is akin to any of a number of TV `procedural dramas', overlaid with the political backdrop of trying to function in the unique environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. That is, until the last act of the movie, which then becomes a straight, but very effective, action movie. Indeed, the action is some of the most thrilling seen for some time - while the hand held camera approach is somewhat annoying during the build up and political backdrop being established, once in the action scenes there is a visceral quality to events that really make you feel part of the action. You can feel yourself ducking when the characters do, in effect!
Is it a politically aware movie spreading a message about Middle East relations? Well, yes and no. It is in most ways a straight forward thriller, done fairly well. Indeed, once the action starts, you pretty well know how the rest of the movie is going to go. However, the Saudis are not just presented as two dimensional bad guys, but a multi-tiered and multidimensional society, which is in itself an improvement on many other contemporary movies on a similar topic.... Read more ›
What follows is akin to any of a number of TV `procedural dramas', overlaid with the political backdrop of trying to function in the unique environment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. That is, until the last act of the movie, which then becomes a straight, but very effective, action movie. Indeed, the action is some of the most thrilling seen for some time - while the hand held camera approach is somewhat annoying during the build up and political backdrop being established, once in the action scenes there is a visceral quality to events that really make you feel part of the action. You can feel yourself ducking when the characters do, in effect!
Is it a politically aware movie spreading a message about Middle East relations? Well, yes and no. It is in most ways a straight forward thriller, done fairly well. Indeed, once the action starts, you pretty well know how the rest of the movie is going to go. However, the Saudis are not just presented as two dimensional bad guys, but a multi-tiered and multidimensional society, which is in itself an improvement on many other contemporary movies on a similar topic.... Read more ›
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By O. Doyle
Format:DVD
The opening sequence of The Kingdom documents the history between the US and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and it only serves to pull you in from the get-go.
When the movie itself starts we see an American housing compound in Saudi Arabia being attacked by terrorists. The carnage it leaves behind includes many dead Americans. While the FBI investigates all incidents where US citizens are killed the politics of Saudi Arabia means the FBI can't just walk in. However, stings are pulled and the FBI are invited to observe the investigation.
The one thing I'll give The Kingdom is that it refused to dumb down its story and make the Saudis appear as little more than window dressing to a big screen American shoot-'em-up. While Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman all get top billing, the real star of this story is Ashraf Barhom who plays Saudi police Col. Al-Ghazi. Al-Ghazi was at the scene of the initial attack on the compound and throughout the film we see him as a man dedicated to his profession, with an acute sense of fair play, protocol and justice. Initially he is given the role of babysitter to the FBI agents as the Saudi's aim to restrict their movements. However that all changes when the FBI are invited to a meeting with a Saudi Prince. Given free reign to investigate the bombing their way the movie really kicks off as the audience is treated to a top notch story that touches on everything from culture clashes, forensic revelations, kidnapping, religious doctrine, and the self perpetuation of hate, all of which culminates in a final half hour of riveting, vicious, blood spattering action.... Read more ›
When the movie itself starts we see an American housing compound in Saudi Arabia being attacked by terrorists. The carnage it leaves behind includes many dead Americans. While the FBI investigates all incidents where US citizens are killed the politics of Saudi Arabia means the FBI can't just walk in. However, stings are pulled and the FBI are invited to observe the investigation.
The one thing I'll give The Kingdom is that it refused to dumb down its story and make the Saudis appear as little more than window dressing to a big screen American shoot-'em-up. While Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman all get top billing, the real star of this story is Ashraf Barhom who plays Saudi police Col. Al-Ghazi. Al-Ghazi was at the scene of the initial attack on the compound and throughout the film we see him as a man dedicated to his profession, with an acute sense of fair play, protocol and justice. Initially he is given the role of babysitter to the FBI agents as the Saudi's aim to restrict their movements. However that all changes when the FBI are invited to a meeting with a Saudi Prince. Given free reign to investigate the bombing their way the movie really kicks off as the audience is treated to a top notch story that touches on everything from culture clashes, forensic revelations, kidnapping, religious doctrine, and the self perpetuation of hate, all of which culminates in a final half hour of riveting, vicious, blood spattering action.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Juggs
Format:DVD
I should probably start off by mentioning this is the 3rd time I've had this DVD. The other 2 I've had people borrowing them and not giving them back which I suppose is a compliment for the film! As its so cheap I wasn't particularly bothered I mean I got mind for £1.50 including postage from here. Bargain! It starts off with a terrorist attack and a member of an FBI team gets killed, hence a group of them go out to try and solve how he got killed exactly. On the way they get to know the Saudi army and in particular the Saudi police Colonel who comes out with some classic lines throughout the film highlighting the big difference in culture and how things are easily misinterpreted. Their re-enactments of some scenarios which may happen in the East I feel are very realistic and at first viewing when I was thinking "Why's he done that, he's just going to get killed?!" you then realise they know exactly whats going to happen and why they need to at least try anyway as the end result if they didn't would have the same outcome. I'm trying not to go into any details as to ruin the film for anyone but I for one thought the ending was one of the best I've seen in a while and gives a good view of how come the war in Iraq seems destined to go on and on. Its pretty much a perfect mix of action and comedy and definitely deserves a place in anyones DVD collection - especially for the price!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Andy
Format:DVD
Out of thousands of films i watched this has to have the best starting ever! plenty of action and didn't fail to get my adrenalin running, then after the first 15 minutes the action die's down but throughout it leaves you on the edge of your seta, no action is seen untill towards the end of the film but it is worth waiting for, a real fire fight, explosions, gun shots and cars tipping over, perfect film
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 234 reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Kiingdom... Who's?
Great suspense through out. good climax and typical Arab subdefuge! Is there a sequel? I hope that there is or?
Published 19 days ago by Mr. P. A. H. Fisher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Bargain
Brilliant film. :) i would highly recommend this film. It was very reasonably priced as well. It is a must see movie.
Published 23 days ago by Liz Aiken
1.0 out of 5 stars
Oh dear
Came across this 'film' the other day on TV and was intrigued to see that they seem to have made a live-action re-make of Team America World Police.
Utter tripe
Utter tripe
Published 18 months ago by exitpursuedbybear
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kingdom Come!
A well crafted movie that I enjoyed but that still somehow left me feeling a little cheated and empty. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2010 by Thriller lover
4.0 out of 5 stars
action, reality
Very good action movie. The camera is always on the move, giving you the sensation of being there. Also, it shows us on the West that even between allies there are big cultural... Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2010 by Mario Jose R. Assuncao
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seller highly recommended
Fully recommend this seller. I ordered the DVD on a tight deadline & anticipated it may not arrive in time, however it was received within less than 48 hours of ordering: for... Read more
Published on 19 April 2010 by ALM
3.0 out of 5 stars
Two Great Setpieces At Either End Of A Not So Great Movie...
I thought this started literally with a bang but I lost interest until the last half hour or so. Yeah, it's got a great shoot out at the end but it's nothing like Heat. Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2010 by Adam Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
All you want and more
This movie was just exceptional. Drama and action, mixed with a look at "the other side of the coin," and blasts of humour and strong, real-life referenceing. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2009 by Wally Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic action flick
I don't normally write reviews but I felt I had to based on the other ones I have read here especially someone only giving it one star.
This is a great action MOVIE! Read more
This is a great action MOVIE! Read more
Published on 1 July 2009 by A. Lemke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cracking film
Despite current events, many film-makers run scared of portraying Islamist terrorists as villains, preferring safe stereotypes like evil US government agents instead. Read more
Published on 12 April 2009 by S. J. Horgan
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
