Although the terrorist attacks of Sept.. 11 are now several years behind us, it's a sensitive subject and most filmmakers have avoided plots that leave Americans exposed to violent acts of terrorism. It's a fine line, and writer Matthew Michael Carnahan and director Peter Berg's decision to walk it could ultimately define the success of their latest heart-stopping international thriller, The Kingdom.""
It's less than five minutes into the movie when the explosions begin with a terrorist attack on American civilians and oil workers living in a supposedly secure compound in Saudi Arabia. Two gunmen steal a military vehicle and drive through the streets shooting at men, women and children before a suicide bomber detonates a bomb in the crowd trying to escape the gunfire. FBI agent Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) gathers together a team to go to Saudi Arabia and search for those responsible. After both the White House and the Senate Committee on Terrorism deny him permission, he makes a side deal with a Saudi prince and gains five days of access to the blast site for himself and special investigators Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman) and Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper).
From the moment they arrive on Saudi soil, political tensions and cultural conflicts make it difficult for the team to conduct its investigation. Motivated by the desire to get to the bottom of the terrorists' plot, Fleury and his crew begin to sneak around, gathering what evidence they can and passing it on to Saudi Colonel and ally Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom). Through the combined efforts of the FBI crew and Saudi intelligence, they trace the attack to terrorist Abu Hamsa, but in a thrilling car chase another attack destroys their convoy, and the terrorists abduct Special Agent Leavitt. The remaining men are left with only hours to find Hamsa and stop him before he uses Leavitt to send another message to the American people.
Through the explosions and firefights that drive the movie, Carnahan's attention to emotion is noteworthy. In the minutes following each deadly explosion, he examines the devastation and broken families left in its wake on both sides. Though most of the characters are poorly developed, Carnahan introduces Fleury, Saudi Sergeant Haytham and Saudi colonel Al Ghazi first as family men and then skilled combatants, raising the emotional stakes for viewers.
Performances by the cast's big names are nothing special. Foxx does more by towering over people to get his way than actually actively participating in dialogue, Garner says little and contributes even less and Cooper is completely forgettable. Bateman finds himself a long way away from kooky comedy Arrested Development, but manages to play a strikingly similar character and delivers the movie's little, but welcome comic relief, while newcomer Ashraf Barhom steals the stage as the movie's tragic hero, Colonel Al Ghazi.
Possibly ""The Kingdom's"" greatest strength is its dedication to represent Islam in a positive light. Carnahan and Berg give equal time and emotional weight to the families of fallen Saudi soldiers as they do the Americans affected. There is without a doubt room for improvement, but it's a step in the right direction.
Despite the script's occasional shortcomings, this high-octane, big-budget thriller will not disappoint action fans. The special effects are almost nonstop from the first explosion to the cathartic final showdown, and the last half- hour is guaranteed to keep all audience members on the edge of their seats.
