Plot: What’s it about?
Making a movie about a war isn’t what it used to be. It’s been nearly 60 years since World War II and over 30 years since Vietnam ended. Those two wars have provided Hollywood with enough substance to base a LOT of movies on, a few hundred at least. So, now that this is the 21st century, there hasn’t been any major war involving the United States in almost 10 years, what do we make war movies about? Logic says that we turn to the most recent war…The Gulf War. Most all of us can remember it because we watched it on CNN, heck, a lot of people probably have the whole thing on VHS tape! The Persian Gulf War (The Gulf War) was a different type of war, not one that had the threat of using nuclear weapons as defense, we used those twice and they have never since been used in combat since then. This war was about night-vision goggles, a renewed sense of patriotism and a man named Sadaam. Director David O. Russell, who so brilliantly helmed one of my favorite movies, Flirting with Disaster, has taken the saga (all 8 weeks of it) of the Gulf War and turned it into something that we can all watch, and all relate to. In this, we find four American soldiers who have yet to see any action. Major Archie Gates, played to a tee by George Clooney is in his ending days in the Army, his career has yet to spur him into the upper ranks. Sergeant Troy Barlow has a wife and a new baby and has his life on track, he like most of the other soldiers was in the Army reserve as a means to help the family budget. Friend, Conrad Vig (Spike Jonze) aspires to be Troy, as so subtely displayed in the opening subtitles. Lastly, we have Chief Elgin, played by none other than rapper-turned-actor, Ice Cube. Ice Cube, to me, is one of a very few rappers who has managed to turn his career into a very noteable acting career. Anyhow, the war is over. The war is over and we find the soliders celebrating, drinking, putting on suntan oil and getting some rays in the Iraqi desert heat. Upon a strip search of the locals, Conrad and Troy come upon a map, found in the most precarious of places, that leads to something very important. After all, if it’s important enough to squeeze in between your cheeks, it must be pretty important. We then find the four main characters heading off to follow this treasure map. What will they find? We don’t know…What we do know is that President Bush has declared that the war was over, there was a cease-fire and to the locals, the Americans were nothing more than insects. President Bush had told the Iraqui’s to rise up against Sadaam Hussein, and that they did…only they didn’t have the American’s support and they were getting slaughtered. What Archie, Troy, Chief and Conrad set out to do is find the stolen Gold Bouillion that was stolen from Hussien’s empire, take it and head back home very, very wealthy men. Is it that easy? Of course not. Their consciences get the best of them, situations that are out of their control escalate and suddenly the money is the last thing on their mind. Losing frineds along the way, and gaining new ones, the soldiers all of the sudden find themselves in the middle of an uprising. They, being Americans, are pretty much free to do whatever they want. They do break the cease-fire, which results in the capture of Troy by the enemies and ultimately leads to one of their deaths… Three Kings is a so much more than a retelling of some of what happened in the Gulf War, it’s a modern work of art. David O. Russell has created something here that is humorous, saddening, thrilling and something that we’ve never seen before. The way in which it’s shot, in which there’s actually a disclaimer before the movie starts, is similar to that of Saving Private Ryan. Where the film differs from Private Ryan is the elements sprinkled in between, and this reaches a new audience of viewers. Whereas Private Ryan was a movie for our fathers, this is a movie for this generation. If you haven’t seen Three Kings, take a look, you’ll be missing a lot more if you choose not to view it.
Video: How does it look?
Shot in an astounding 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, Three Kings physically looks like nothing you’ve ever seen. The colors, though washed out, have a very vibrant feel about them. The blues seem to take on almost a neon effect, while the sky remains as darkly sunny lit as can be during the day. The camoflauge that the soldiers wear almost seems to disappear into the same color ground, yet there’s no mistaking who’s what. The long and short of it is that this is one movie that will visually stun you and it looks as good as it is.
Audio: How does it sound?
You’d think that you were right in the middle of the Gulf War…you’d think that you were right in the middle of any war. The surrounds take charge like an men taking on a hill. Bullets whiz by taking all channels and literally make you dizzy as they perpetrate into (and we see it happen) the body. Everything explodes, whether it be a Nerf football with a C-4 pack attached to it, or it’s an Iraqui truck that happens to spill 10,000 gallons of milk all over our heroes. The sound will dazzle you with it’s effectiveness, front channels, center, surrounds and the sub…
Supplements: What are the extras?
The commentary by Director, David O. Russell is unlike any that I’ve heard, but then again it makes sense because Three Kings is unlike a lot of movies out today…it’s actually good. From opening credits to closing, Russell fills us in on what it took to make the movie. Also included is a video journal of what it took to make the movie, from his initial meeting of stars Ice Cube, Mark Whalberg and George Clooney to his meeting with fellow director (and Oscar nominee) Spike Jonze on a NYC street corner. My guess is that Jonze was already friends with Russell and therefore, already cast in the movie. Another commentary with the producers is not quite as interesting, but sheds a little more light on what it took to make, finance and convince Warner Brothers to make this movie (and boy are we glad they did). A stills gallery is some fun to look through, as are some deleted scenes with commentary, if you wish, production notes, cast bios and a LOT of DVD-ROM content (Hint: the password is S-C-U-D). With, quite possibly, the best film of the year on a Special Edition DVD and almost everything you wanted to know about it on the same disc, it makes sense that you should pick this disc up. And it’s no suprise that it’s a recipient of the Authority Award.
