Reviews by Matt

I have seen a lot of movies, more then should be allowed by law, but something happened to me this past weekend that has never happened before; I was speechless. Usually, good or bad, there is something to say. Yet, as I walked out of the theater, I could find no words to express what I had just seen. I was absolutely blown away by “The Kingdom.” It comes on Sept. 28, but I was lucky enough to attend a sneak preview this past Saturday.

In an American compound in Saudi Arabia, American oil workers and their families are enjoying a picnic when a suicide bomber attacks. Dozens are killed in the initial attack and a few hours later when the ambulances arrive, another bomb goes off killing even more. FBI agent Ronald Fluery (Jamie Foxx) and his team Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman) and Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper) are determined to get over there and find those responsible. After being told “no” by the U.S Government at every turn, they get permission from one of the Saudi princes to land in his kingdom. Once there they receive very little help from the Saudi soldiers and are even prevented from doing their job. They are strangers in a dangerous country and are instantly targets for the Saudi terrorists. They will not let that stop them from making sure that the man behind the attacks is caught.

With big stars come great performances. Chris Cooper again shows why he is the “best actor you do not know” and Jamie Foxx redeems his less then stellar post-Oscar roles. Jennifer Garner shows that despite past movies, she is a good actress and even Jason Bateman shows that he not only has comedic chops, but is also a very good dramatic actor.

Even with all the big names, the one performance that stood was Ali Suliman. He plays Sgt. Haytham, the Saudi soldier who is put in charge of overseeing the Americans. He starts out being very cold toward the team and gives them very little help and many restrictions as to when and what they can do. He wanted to lead the investigation, but the prince put another soldier, one who is more about beating the truth out of a suspect then looking for clues and finding answers, in charge. It is not until Fluery asks the prince if Haytham could be put in charge of the Saudi side of the investigation that he begins to warm up to the Americans. When he is given more power, Haytham takes a more active role in the investigation and helps the FBI. He presents the view of the majority of the Saudis. He is against the extremists and wants to stop them. Despite his initial coldness, he joins forces with the Americans when the terrorist group responsible for the attacks, captures Leavitt. There are multiple scenes where he expresses his outrage and says that a man who can plan mass killings scares him.

What struck me most about “The Kingdom” were the different perspectives shown. Where it would be easy to just show the American or even the Saudi soldier viewpoint, they decided to also showed a few scenes from the terrorist perspective. They are shown in meetings, praying and making bombs. We see the belief and resolve they have and that is juxtaposed with the belief and resolve of the FBI in finding those responsible.

If there is one downside it is the slow beginning. It takes a while before the movie gets to the real meat of the plot, but once they get over to Saudi Arabia, the story picks up. The claim that the last 30 minuets are so intense you will not be able to move is scarily accurate. It is one extended action scene as the team tries to rescue their captured comrade. It is filled with shootouts, explosions and lots on tension.

It takes a lot for me to have such a strong reaction to a movie these days. Most of the new releases are a waste of time and never amount too much 10 dollars down the drain. This is one of those few exceptions that show how good a movie can be.

9 out of 10
Rated R for intense sequences of graphic brutal violence, and for language.
1 hr 50 mins