If there is one thing you can't accuse the makers of this movie of, than it must be that they weren't original. I don't think I've ever seen a 'war movie' that is sometimes shocking, but also funny, one that criticizes the politicians for what they did during the war, but also offers a big adventure at the same time...

The story goes like this: A few days after the first Gulf War has ended, a group of American soldiers come across a secret Iraqi map. This map reveals where the bunker can be found in which the Iraqi's have stored the gold and the treasure that they had stolen from Kuwait. But they aren't thinking of giving it back to the Kuwaiti's. They want to keep it for themselves and get as rich as kings and so they go on a trip full of adventure. Even though they are very egoistic at first, they aren't blind for what is happening around them. They soon learn that the Iraqi's have been encouraged by the U.S. government to rebel against the regime and fight Sadam Hussein. But the U.S. military refuses to help them with their uprising, which means that the rebels are facing certain death. What should they do? Take the money and run, not caring about the fate of the civilians or helping them across the border into Iran and risking to loose all their wealth...

Calling this a war movie isn't exactly right. It's true that its story is told during the first Gulf war, but the war isn't the most important thing in this movie. Personally I think you better call this an adventure movie, because that's what it really is. They go on an adventure to find a lot of gold.

The acting and the story in this movie are really good and more than just worth a watch. It's an original movie that blends drama, comedy, politics and war together into a fine mixture, but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece. Nevertheless this is a good movie that is certainly worth a watch. I give it a 7.5/10

I didn't get the impression this was a humorous depiction of war as a lot of reviewers on this board seem to think. There were some funny situations and lines of dialog, but more to the point, it was a violent anti-war film taking place right after America's involvement in Desert Storm. As a quick review, that was a military operation in which international armed forces, including British and US troops, attacked Iraq during the Gulf War. It began on 16 January 1991 and lasted 100 days. The American military and President Bush take their share of hits in the picture, but so do the Iraqi soldiers who remain loyal to Saddam Hussein. The 'Saddam is coming' fake-out ploy was a pretty clever ruse used by Clooney and the Boys; it makes you wonder if something that absurd could have been gotten away with in the context of a real wartime situation. When the 'Three Kings' of the title start out it appears that they're all in it for themselves regarding the gold Saddam Hussein stole from Kuwait, but over the course of the story, their humanity is tested in a unique way. The surprise character in the film is definitely Conrad Vig, a generally clueless redneck who doesn't make it to the end of the movie. Portrayed by Spike Jonze in his first significant film role, Vig is the loyal friend and patriotic American who follows orders as long as he's pointed in the right direction. Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube lend commendable support to Clooney in an unconventional war movie, while Nora Dunn's Adriana Cruz attempts to get her story to the American people as a wartime correspondent.

This political thriller is pretty much the last word on the whole Gulf War shambles. Along with that, it also manages to be frequently funny, tragic and exciting. Personally, the only movies I've seen that have dealt with the Gulf War have been superficial "action man" stuff, boring and predictable. This movie takes a simple gun battle and shoots it in a way that makes it unique and totally original. We watch the bullets fly in slow motion to their victims, a bullet's p.o.v. shot if you will. Back when I first saw this over a decade ago, it made me sit up and go "wow!". Nowadays such stylistic tricks are passe, but it was still hip and fresh when they made this film.

As was the case with THE LIMEY, the weird style of the film takes some getting used to, but once I was settled in I enjoyed this immensely. What starts off as a predictable treasure hunt becomes something much more, an intelligent film which isn't afraid to portray America in a bad light, and something with real characters who you care about.

George Clooney has just the right looks and easy, leading man personality to carry the film if needed. Mark Wahlberg (a hot property thanks to BOOGIE NIGHTS) is solid in a victimised role. Elsewhere, Ice Cube puts in a good turn as a god-fearing soldier, while Spike Jonze is funny and endearing as a backwoods hick.

THREE KINGS offers up just the right balance of humour, pathos and action to make it a film for all the family. While it may be occasionally explicitly violent (the shooting of a female refugee is particularly shocking),this is in reality a film which appeals AGAINST violence. With a great story and script like this, it couldn't really lose in any case. It may not be one of the best films of 1999 (in itself a great year for good movies) but it comes pretty close.