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Three Kings (1999) 7.2
Ratings:
7.2/10 from 101,249 users
Metascore: 82/100
Reviews: 544 user | 141 critic | 34 from Metacritic.com In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, 4 soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help. Director:David O. Russell |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| George Clooney | ... | ||
| Mark Wahlberg | ... | ||
| Ice Cube | ... | ||
| Spike Jonze | ... | ||
| Cliff Curtis | ... | ||
| Nora Dunn | ... | ||
| Jamie Kennedy | ... | ||
| Saïd Taghmaoui | ... |
Captain Said
(as Said Taghmaoui)
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| Mykelti Williamson | ... | ||
| Holt McCallany | ... | ||
| Judy Greer | ... | ||
 |
Christopher Lohr | ... | |
| Jon Sklaroff | ... | ||
| Liz Stauber | ... | ||
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Marsha Horan | ... | |
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
A small group of adventurous American soldiers in Iraq at the end of the Gulf War are determined to steal a huge cache of gold reputed to be hidden somewhere near their desert base. Finding a map they believe will take them to the gold, they embark on a journey that leads to unexpected discoveries, enabling them to rise to a heroic challenge that drastically changes their lives. Written by imran
Taglines:
It's good to be kings See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for graphic war violence, language and some sexuality | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Release Date:
1 October 1999 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Tres reyes See more »Box Office
Budget:
$48,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£1,438,818 (UK) (3 March 2000)Gross:
£6,090,521 (UK) (14 April 2000)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Troy Barlow: Are we shooting?
Soldier: What?
Troy Barlow: Are we shootin' people or what?
Soldier: Are we shooting?
Troy Barlow: That's what I'm asking you!
Soldier: What's the answer?
Troy Barlow: I don't know the answer! That's what I'm trying to find out!
See more »
Written by Janis Joplin, Michael McClure and Bob Neuwirth (as Bobby Neuwirth)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
In the original posters for the film, David O. Russell gets full writing credit, although the story is based on a draft written by John Ridley. It wasn't until Ridley took legal action that he received a "Story by" credit. Ridley blocked a novelization of the screenplay from being published. According to Ridley, he wrote the script as an experiment to see how fast he could write and sell a script. It took him seven days to write it, and Warner Brothers bought it 18 days later. See more »Goofs
When the mother is shot in the head, you notice that she preps her arms before she hits the ground. Bracing yourself is a mostly involuntary reflex, not a voluntary movement, handled by the somatic reflex arc, which is a part of the by then still living upper spinal cord, not the brain. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Troy Barlow: Are we shooting?
Soldier: What?
Troy Barlow: Are we shootin' people or what?
Soldier: Are we shooting?
Troy Barlow: That's what I'm asking you!
Soldier: What's the answer?
Troy Barlow: I don't know the answer! That's what I'm trying to find out!
See more »
Crazy Credits
For Sergeant Major Jim Parker, 1946 - 1998 See more »Connections
Featured in American Masters: You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story (2008) See more »Soundtracks
"Mercedes Benz"Written by Janis Joplin, Michael McClure and Bob Neuwirth (as Bobby Neuwirth)
See more »
A film for anyone who ever relishes the triumphal note of western war films, who gets carried away by the moral high of being on the winning side. For those who saw the good in the Gulf War, saw how many people America helped and was proud to live in the Western world.
Three Kings is an anti-war film. Its opening scenes are not the declaration of war, but soldiers celebrating its end. Then coming to grips with its consequences.
Of course, Saddam Hussein is depicted in the customary role of the villain, but then so is George Bush whose abandonment of the Iraqi people he had called to rise against Saddam is illustrated with examples of human suffering - emotional as well as physical.
Don't get the idea that this is a bleak and 'worthy' film, in many ways it is, but it does it with such style and black humour - that forces you to laugh even while being disgusted or perturbed - that it is eminently watchable. But still edgy, I was pleased to see one couple walk out (though they might just have gone to the toilet, who knows, I was absorbed by the film and didn't pay enough attention).
Director, David O Russell, ensures that the film never gets carried away with action scenes - bullets have consequences (good and bad) even when fired by an all-American soldier. There is some stunning cinematography. Particularly shocking to me was when Iraqi soldiers fire at a tanker. Nothing's more shocking than the unexpected and dramatically understated (I didn't see the trailer, though I believe that scene was actually in it).
There are some interesting cinematic devices in the film. The next time that sepsis comes into conversation I'm sure anyone who has seen the film will call to mind scenes of a bullet travelling through the body. I've seen less violent films than some people, but have been swept away by their power many times - become blasé about bullets and cinematic death. I've seen it all too often before to care about nameless victims that stand in the way of the power, wit, and understanding of the hard-bitten, long-serving soldier, wielding a justice in the shape of a gun.
Russell claimed to make every bullet count in the film, and in one memorably calm scene of confusion and crossfire, he certainly does. The style of the film however doesn't detract from its content. Three Kings doesn't have pretensions of addressing difficult issues by showing the manly, serious face of George Clooney looking a little concerned after killing a few dozen of the enemy. It has intelligent dialogue and moving scenes of confrontation between the opposing ideologies of the Americans and their 'allies' and 'enemies' alike.
Not the best date movie in the world. Funny, shocking, thought provoking and honest, 8.5/10.