The Kingdom (Review).

The Kingdom certainly delivers its promises in its trailers of an adrenaline pumping movie, and yet it has managed to bring out much more. I have to admit that the film, about the investigations of a terrorist bombing led by FBI officer Special Agent Fleury (played by Jamie Foxx), has definitely knocked my sense of distaste for war movies off the wall and has opened up a whole new genre of films for my viewing.

Initially, I cannot deny that I was rather overwhelmed by all the testosterone flying around in the cinema. I mean, how can that be avoided when plastered on the huge screen are boots, guns, tanks and explosions; toys for boys?

Nevertheless, as minutes blazed by with me teetering on the edge of my seat being pounded by one action packed sequence after another (after all the political jabber has passed, of course), I found myself getting more accustomed, thanks to the generous sprinkles of humour as well as the marvelous acting by Jennifer Garner who played Janet Mayes, managing to pull of the aura of a tough lady working in a male dominated situation.

To me, the movie which is fictional but based on a real life bombings of Riyadh on May 12, 2003, has the right mix of ingredients that makes a box office hit – the explosions, the humour, the puzzles which the FBI had to solve in a foreign land (keeps you guessing too!) and of course, the deadly twist in the ending which I swear, caught me by surprise. What twist? Well, you just have to watch it then, don’t you?

Surprisingly though, the romantic element has been left out (sorry girls). Other then that, the audience, including myself, were treated with a silver tray full of culture clashes, religious issues and csi-ish situations, amongst others.

My only muse is that the movie should come with a warning – “Bring your tissue along, if you please.”. Sniffling and tearing in the cinema has never been one of my favourite things to do (and has always been one of my embarassing things to avoid). And of course, I think the gentleman crying next to me would so totally agree ;)

So all in all, how did I find The Kingdom? Well, truth be told, I wouldn’t really agree with Mc Cuddy of Fox News Channel who said it was “The best film of the year so far by far”, but nevertheless it’s high on my recommendation list; something you would definitely have to catch if you’re over 16. Sorry young ‘uns, this one ain’t for you.

This review has been made possible with Ripplevox.

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4. Movie Marathon.