By Edwin Hopkins
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HUGE

The Kingdom is the first of a series of 2007 Fall movies that explores the political,social and unavoidably, violent aspects of the Iraqui War and terrorism against the U.S. Some of our Hollywood elite are playing forceful roles ranging from determined, disillusioned fathers ,troubled wives and mournful husbands to novice interrogators, tv journalists and a Republican senator with a story to tell.

Upon their arrival they quickly discover that red tape is universal. Their liason, Colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom) is in charge, basically telling them they can’t do anything, including investigate, without permission. Thankfully, this gradually changes permitting our team to execute what Foxx asks Prince Ahmed Bin, “Allow us to help your men catch this criminal.”

Watching the finished product, you would not even conceive that the actors endured complications while shooting in the Middle East or sufferred heat exhaustion from 125-degree temperatures in Arizona placing them in the hospital. Foxx and his co-stars worked really hard and their offbeat chemistry shows it,melding together where each can play off the other. Bateman in particular affords light comic relief in a gravely serioussituation. Cooper is more the straight man than anything else while Garner really does pull your heartstrings facing a personal tragedy she must push aside to concentrate on the mission.

Although some of the film may look newsreel, director Peter Berg’s four year journey to execute it was worth the wait. He manages to give those who may be against the war some unconscious wishful thinking; leaving the civil war complications out and just having an “us vs. the terrorists” type scenario. (Wouldn’t it be great to simply defeat the terrorists and bring the troops home? )His sophomore collaboration with D.P. Mauro
Fiore (Smokin’ Aces) sustains a high level of intensity and suspense, employing the natural landscape and sunlight to help insure realism. Especially( as touted by the trailer) during the final half-hour.

Oingo Boingo alum Danny Elfman has scored so many movies now, that I’ve lost count. His music for this one (I bought the soundterack) blends in so finely, you hardly notice it unless he wants you to or if it’s vital to help the scene. If you’re a lover of good motion picture music like yours’ truly, you may want to listen to the end title instrumentals as the final credits roll.

By jr jayrell

Super

The opening credits of the film offer a brief historical overview of the United States’ involvement with the middle east and quickly shift to a violent attack on middle east soil in which women, children and civilians are killed in along with FBI investigators. The opening scene depicts the middle east domestic landscape as being divided between the law biding citizens who enjoy the peaceful tranquility of their leisure time and the plotting terrorists who are breeding generations of youngsters who regard the violence and death as a necessary methodology.

Upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, the FBI Agents are introduced to a Saudi police captain who appears to present himself with an ominous demeanor in the midst of international incident that has tragically gripped the international community with renewed fear. The agents view all of the Saudi officer as enigmatic figures who can not readily be identified as friend or foe. However, they are able to conduct an investigation which appear to link the terrorists to Saudi Arabian citizens which the agents we told would be high improbable.

The film's cinematography is beautiful as it reflects the beauty of the middle eastern family. There are many  handsome men, gorgeous women and adorable children throughout the The Kingdom. However, there are scenes that reflect the horrific nature of car bombings and suicide bombers with equal conviction.

The film climaxes at a great rescue scene in which Adam (Justin Bateman) is fighting for his life against terrorists and you, the audience, can actually feel the blade against Adam’s his neck. You can sense Adam’s determination to live; the kicking, the dragging, the grabbing at any thing that will hinder his enemy’s task. You can feel the result his resistance as well as Adam absorbs a painful beating at the hand of his enemies. As an initially emotional and tearful Janet charges to aid her comrade Adam, you will cheer when she enters combat mode and transforms into a “pit bull attack” mentally in order to save Adam from sure death. Great fun!