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Three Kings (1999)

R   |    |  Action, Adventure, Comedy

Three Kings (1999) Poster

In the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War, four soldiers set out to steal gold that was stolen from Kuwait, but they discover people who desperately need their help.

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7.1/10
151,356
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82 Metascore

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  • Ice Cube in Three Kings (1999)
  • Ice Cube in Three Kings (1999)
  • George Clooney at an event for Three Kings (1999)
  • Amy Brenneman and Brad Silberling at an event for Three Kings (1999)
  • George Clooney at an event for Three Kings (1999)
  • George Clooney in Three Kings (1999)

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Awards

8 wins & 19 nominations.

Reviews & Commentary

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User Reviews
12 February 2002 | ProperCharlie
7
| The Art of trailer misdirection
I've just watched this film two years after umming and arring about going to see it at the flicks when it was released. Two years ago I stayed in with a pizza thinking that George Clooney looking gritty with a load of gold wouldn't be up to much. Then friends started to talk about it quite positively without really saying much about the content. Then I saw it in a buy 2 get 1 free sale at HMV, and now I know that I needn't have to gone through all the bother of digesting a pizza.

I should also add that I'm seeing this after 11/9/2001 and that even with the new perspective world events have cast over films with themes involving the US and the middle East, this film stands up very well. A positive portrayal of Islam, a positive portrayal of the people of Iraq, a sort-of-positive portrayal of the US army abroad, hell even a sympathetic portrayal of a lapdog of Saddam (I'm kind of reminded of Happiness for the sheer taboo-bustingness of this portrayal).

The plot is easy on the mind, the acting is satisfactory, the ending is purest Hollywood and the cinematography is sub-Lawrence of Arabia despite having access to a perfectly adequate desert. What makes this movie stand out is how at ease it is with its subject matter; letting comedy mix with the sort of serious politics that make a lot of people pick their words with great care.

The misleading trailer for this film fits in perfectly with what it's trying to achieve. Pretending to a be a gung-ho, guns and gold, go gettum boys film, it gets those into the cinema who need to hear its message not just those who want to hear. It attempts to slip complex issues through just about all the unthinking jingoism that lingers outside movie theatres on a regular basis and for that I salute it.

Go see.

Metacritic Reviews

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where the three soldiers enter the secret room in the bunker with the stolen stuff and television sets, you can see Captain Saïd (Saïd Taghmaoui) watching the Rodney King beating video, which would've taken place a few weeks before the period of time, in which the film is set, and perhaps intentionally or unintentionally highlights the underlying racial tensions between Vig and Elgin in the first half of the film.

Quotes

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!

Goofs

When Archie Gates emerges from the white stretch limo at the beginning of the attack on the fort, there is a black convertible already flipped over and smoldering in the background. The black convertible doesn't get blown-up and flipped until a few minutes later.

Crazy Credits

For Sergeant Major Jim Parker, 1946 - 1998

Alternate Versions

The Australian theatrical release omits a brief close up of a woman being shot in the head by one of Saddam's soldiers. This was done to avoid an R rating. This scene cut from the Australian release in order to obtain an MA rating for theatrical release were restored for the VHS and DVD releases, thus restoring the original R rating.

Soundtracks

Can't Do Nuttin' For Ya Man
Written by Keith Shocklee, Flavor Flav (as William Drayton) and Eric Sadler
Performed by Public Enemy
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under License from Universal Music Special Markets

Storyline

Plot Summary

Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)

Genres

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | War

Details

Release Date:

1 October 1999

Language

English, Arabic

Country of Origin

USA

Filming Locations

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$15,847,636 (USA) (3 October 1999)

Gross:

$60,652,036 (USA)

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