Three Kings

R

Now Playing

1 hr. 55 min.

War

Comedy

Drama

List

94%

132 Reviews

Tomatometer

77%

100,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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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

Full Review

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

Andrea C

L'impronta di un giovane David O. Russell si nota subito in questo film in grado di racchiudere molteplici generi e di mescolare senza continuità di causa commedia e war movie. Sullo sfondo di una delle guerre meno combattute della storia, tre insoliti personaggi si muovono ed agiscono in modo bizzarro e rocambolesco per cercare di arricchirsi. Per quanto improbabili tutti i personaggi chiamati in causa sono credibili e sorprende positivamente la facilità del passaggio da ironia a momenti estremamente drammatici che colgono costantemente impreparato lo spettatore. Le poche sequenze di azione sono montate in modo molto artificioso ma probabilmente coerente con la logica del film. Sicuramente il finale nobilita tutto il resto dove a tratti l'ironia prende un po' troppo il sopravvento.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/12/23

Full Review

Richard L

A schizophrenic mess of a film with some of the worst-looking cinematography I've ever seen. Although genuinely funny at moments, Three Kings is a narrative mess that suffers from pacing issues and solid direction from the moment the initial heist is finished.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Bruce Berman, Gregory Goodman, Kelley Smith-Wait
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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