Three Kings

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Three Kings

R

Released Oct 1, 1999

1h 55m

War

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

77%

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100,000+ Ratings

Just after the end of the Gulf War, four American soldiers decide to steal a cache of Saddam Hussein's hidden gold. Led by cynical Sergeant Major Archie Gates (George Clooney), three of the men are rescued by rebels, but Sergeant Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) is captured and tortured by Iraqi intelligence. The Iraqi rebels beg for the American trio to help fight against the impending arrival of Hussein's Elite Guard. The men agree to fight in return for help rescuing Troy.

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Critics Consensus

Three Kings successfully blends elements of action, drama, and comedy into a thoughtful, exciting movie on the Gulf War.

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Kirk Honeycutt

Hollywood Reporter

[Russell] not only has designed an action-adventure laced with incendiary humor but a movie that wants to explore race, politics, war, the media and U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. In large measure, he pulls it off with breathtaking aplomb.

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

Radheyan Simonpillai

AskMen.com

It's amazing how much action can be crammed into a movie about a war where most soldiers didn't actually see any action.

Rated: 94/100

Apr 9, 2009

Full Review

Lisa Alspector

Chicago Reader

A damning yet idealistic satire about the motives behind U.S. foreign policy.

Aug 25, 2008

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

A war satire in which O' Russell, indirectly, mocks the foreign policy of the United States regarding the Gulf War. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Dec 13, 2023

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

Three Kings does offer nice comedic interplay between its lead performers and a compelling visual gimmick, all of which adds up to a strong (if not necessarily soul-shaking) production.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 27, 2023

Full Review

Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

It has a distinctive look and feel, an atmosphere of burnout and chaos; it launches at a high energy level and generally stays there. The buzz, however, wears off fast.

Rated: B-

Sep 2, 2022

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thiago s

filme legal pra caramba, roteiro bacana, achei legal também o trio, mas parece que ação do filme não era tão forte que nem outros filmes de guerra, mas de resto achei bacana.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/28/24

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Don T

Excellent Film with good acting, cinematography, and a great statement about the war complex.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

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Scott H

A rare occasion when the critics have got it right. Smart wisecracking satire of US grab it and run foreign policy expertly crafted.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/28/24

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Alec C

In the deserts of Iraq, during an ending war, three soldiers travel to secure their fortune and their futures! Discovering a treasure map leading to a fortune in gold, a major and three soldiers begin a journey to steal it for themselves as they evade enemy forces and hidden land mines. Funny and intense, this film balances both in an entertaining and surprising show of force!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/24

Full Review

Giorgio S

This changed my opinion on David O. Russell,unfortunately it's old and now he is like he is. The cast is amazing and the action is perfect. It has an amazing story with villains made to be hated and interesting subplot of lies heard during war. It has a sweet ending,like Silver Linings,wich after I watched this it's his second best movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

Full Review

Wayne C

You have to remember that this movie with made in the context of the war crimes of the Iraq war. three Kings a heist picture, about soldier/thieves, who hope to loot Iraq to get rich. The ambivilant story is uneven and racist/capitalist too. We're supposed to root for antiheroes who like the US anttacking and occupying Iraq, are murderous looters for Iraqi gold. The US's Coalition authority order 39 openly robbed all Iraqi resources (currency, government and socialized programs) to enrich international corporate thugs. That's the story these diversionary films cover up. The pro-war/white male savior messaging undergird the entire ambling enterprise leaving a bad flavor. Cinematography is excellent, editing, nimble, and acting focused, but this cinematic legerdemain can't disguise a misleading story. It's telling that reviewers give it a 94 and audiences, 70. The audiences (the people) have a humane philosophical viewpoint while reviewers serve (like the studios) as megaphonic filters blaring imperial messages.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

05/18/23

Full Review

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David O. Russell

Director

George Clooney

Maj. Archie Gates

Mark Wahlberg

Sfc. Troy Barlow

Ice Cube

SSgt. Chief Elgin

Spike Jonze

Pfc. Conrad Vig

Nora Dunn

Adriana Cruz

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Synopsis

Just after the end of the Gulf War, four American soldiers decide to steal a cache of Saddam Hussein's hidden gold. Led by cynical Sergeant Major Archie Gates (George Clooney), three of the men are rescued by rebels, but Sergeant Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) is captured and tortured by Iraqi intelligence. The Iraqi rebels beg for the American trio to help fight against the impending arrival of Hussein's Elite Guard. The men agree to fight in return for help rescuing Troy.

Director: David O. Russell
Producer: Charles Roven, Edward L. McDonnell, Paul Junger Witt
Screenwriter: David O. Russell, John Ridley
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Warner Brothers, Atlas Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: War, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 1, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $60.7M
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Surround

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