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It's kind of an odd experience watching a movie about the first Gulf War as we're locked indefinitely into the second. It's even more so when said film mixes equal parts warfare and comedy - two elements most people would probably not put in the same sentence. But maybe it's this "road less traveled" approach that makes David O. Russell's Three Kings such a success. You've not seen anything quite like it before, and probably won't again for a very long time.
The story focuses around four soldiers (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze) taking an excursion to one of Saddam Hussein's hidden bunkers to steal his already-stolen Kuwaiti bullion ("You mean them little cubes you put in hot water to make soup?" asks Jonze's hillbilly character, Conrad Vig). But along the way, they are forced into the conflict between the rebels and Saddam's loyalist soldiers, and a mission motivated solely by greed becomes helmed by a different phenomenon - conscience.
The dialogue between the four soldiers, along with the kooky side mission involving journalist Adriana Cruz (a "five-time Emmy runner up") provide an interesting touch. You'll laugh in places you'd never think possible. But at the same time, the serious undertones of war are ever present to remind us that it's not all fun and games. This balance creates one of the most unique movie-going experiences you'll ever see, and a truly enjoyable film.
3 stars out of 4
7.5/10
One of the most satisfying thrillers in recent memory. Powerhouse performances all around and a truly intriguing storyline from first-time director Tony Gilroy (writer of the Bourne films) lead Michael Clayton to success.
George Clooney gives us the excellent performance we've come to expect from him as the film's namesake - a high-powered New York lawyer who fixes tough cases. When the lawyer (Tom Wilkinson) assigned to a particular high-profile case suffers a mental breakdown, it's Clayton's job to try and keep things in control for his firm. But as the movie progresses, more complications arise in the case and it quickly becomes his own skin that needs saving as well.
Tilda Swinton, for having won an award for her performance, was surprisingly underwhelming. Not terrible by any means, if anything just the victim of so many other great performances. The real treat was Tom Wilkinson, as the mentally unstable Arthur Edens. Were it not for some guy named Anton Chigurh (perhaps you've heard of him?), Wilkinson would be the year's best supporting actor.
Be warned, the film is a bit slow to develop early on, but not without reason. Even early on, Michael Clayton establishes a connection with its viewers, so that we're hit hard throughout during its many twists and turns. By the time everything comes full circle at the end, that connection leaves us in a state of movie-going bliss. Don't miss this one.
3.5 stars out of 4
8.5/10
