Three Kings (1999)

The film is a violent, blackly comic anti-war satire that mixes influences from Catch-22, Tarantino and others into a visceral, genre-defying event movie. It dismantles American foreign policy with brio and strong performances but stumbles with a clumsy moral redemption at the close.

This superb though violent mix of comedy, drama and action is set at the end of the Gulf War. Wittily scripted with terrific performances, especially Clooney, it takes well-aimed stabs at war waged on television; reckless, gripping and unmissable.

Russell delivers a stylistically bold and thoughtful studio debut that mixes black humor, action, and sharp political commentary on the cynical nature of war and U.S. foreign policy. The contrarian approach and narrative may limit mainstream appeal but make for an engaging, non-dull film.

The critic finds Three Kings an unexpectedly entertaining and intelligent action film about the Gulf War, with a strange flavour that mixes wised-up anti-war elements and sentimental admiration for the American fighting man. They praise its stylish cinematography, adroit handling of military set-pieces and internal group tensions, and its conflation of generic approaches from films like Apocalypse Now and MAS*H.

Russell applies his subversive sensibility to the mercenary motivations and human impact of the Gulf War aftermath. Some searing visions stand out, though the tone is shaky and the ending muddled; overall defiant and provocative cinema.

The film is an ambitious absurdist take on the Gulf War but falls short as a showcase for Russell's talents compared to his earlier work. It effectively highlights moral paradoxes faced by the soldiers and critiques U.S. policy toward Iraqi civilians.

Russell's idiosyncratic vision survives the transition to big-budget filmmaking intact. The film offers a satirical yet humane indictment of the Gulf War's conduct and US policy, conveyed through strong visuals and without sanctimony.

The critic calls the film hugely ambitious and says Russell largely succeeds in blending action-adventure with humor and explorations of race, politics, war, media, and U.S. diplomacy in the Middle East. Clooney, Ice Cube, Wahlberg, and Jonze are singled out for strong performances that anchor the story.

The film is a precarious balancing act of tone that mixes comedy, action, and seriousness in a loose, shaggy MAS*H-style, expertly directed with a panache that announced Russell as a great director. It singles out the crude oil-drinking metaphor for America's involvement in the country as a pointed element amid the fun and throwaway gags.

The critic finds the film a subversive and inventive mix of zany action and serious commentary on American foreign policy, rather than a standard war buddy picture. Its originality, visual style and commitment from the cast are singled out as strengths.