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This IS the best war movie.

A great war movies doesn't just have action. It has to have moral questions and right and wrong or it won't be realistic. This is a great film with many different elements involved. This is the kind of movie you buy because it really is special.

A refreshingly good war film.

First and foremost, I was entertained, but looking deeper into the movie, I find more and more I like about it the more I think about it. It's a war movie with a sense of shame about war, which I think all good anti-war (or at least anti-violence) movies need to have. The heroes are flawed, and that to me makes them much more believable and acceptable. And it also makes me want to listen more to what the film has to say about war. One of the big problems I had with 'Saving Private Ryan' was that Spielberg's heroes were unconditionally good. He was obviously trying to make an anti-war/pacifists' movie (just look at the first half hour), but as the movie progresses, it decends into shameless, flag-waving propeganda. Spielberg would have us believe that even though war is evil, the men fighting it are good. It's a contradiction in terms. I didn't believe these "angels in earth" or anything they had to say about war because of all this. Now back to 3 Kings... The heroes of this war are completely believable to me. They are virtuous, loving family men, yet they're also greedy and exploitative. If they ever pretend to like what they're doing in Kuwait (like Wahlberg in the torture scene), then they (and we) are reminded of the folly of international trade, of power struggle, of oil monopoly, and of the arrogance of the United States. But even in the midst of all this corruption and fighting, they manage to be heroes by saving some innocent people's lives, as if to say, "We may not be perfect, but that's no reason why we can't do some good while we're here." They admit their faults and rise above them, rather than pretending to be perfect. They become war heroes without condoning war, and to me, that's a successful war film.

Great ideas, poor execution

There is much that is both right and wrong with this film. It's extremely funny, well acted, and has some very intelligent things to say about war and its effects on people on both sides-- during the first half of the movie. But midway through it loses track of what it wanted to be, or maybe didn't ever know at all. What starts as a condemnation of gung-ho Rambo warhawk mentality then turns into exactly that: a gung-ho Rambo action movie with people outrunning bullets and explosions and knocking down choppers with explosive-laced footballs. But you're not supposed to notice this is happening because the characters are doing it for "good" reasons, and are supposed to laugh as the "bad guys" die by the dozens. The intelligence and wit and irony built up at the start all goes up in a big explosion, and then gets wrapped up in an all too convenient, simple conclusion-- a tragic waste of an inherently complex, interesting premise.

GOOD FOR WHAT IT IS

For a movie that's supposed to NOT be trivializing war, that's exactly what it does. It's very glib, and lacks anything like an emotional punch. For that you need to see "The Thin Red Line" or "Full Metal Jacket." Even "Apocolypse Now" has been where this has been, and decades earlier. That's not to say the movie isn't funny and on occassion visually stylistic, but that makes it very good, not great. In this age of Music Video influenced directors, maybe that's the best we can hope for.

One of best films of 1999

This is truley a wonderful film. I am somewhat dissapointed although because of the nomintaions of the academy awards. They just seemed to ignore this film. I would atleast think that it should have been nominated for best original screenplay, best director, and of course, who could forget about the amazing cinimaphotography! This film deserves so much and people just seem to scoot this one out.

Surprisingly Brilliant

This was one of the most surprising films I have seen in a LONG time.

I truly expected to see a basic action/ black comedy film for a little light Sunday night viewing. 3kings was all that and more.

I thought it was directed superbly with some of the most creative and unusual visual and directing effects you will ever see. The return to the village and the shooting scene in particular were fantastic.

The film touched on some of the moral issues of the war and asks alot of very profound questions about NATO involvement.

It is one of the few movies I have seen which doesn't seem to have a slow bit in it.

3 Kings will make you will laugh, cringe, think, hold your breath and entertain you and lets face it ...thats why we watch movies isn't it ?

Essential viweing.

This is the best War Movie.

Such a great film and the American public didn't go to see it, big surprise. This DVD looks to be excellent. This is the same director who did the hilarious Flirting with Disaster and he knows how to tell a story. I wish I was in trainging with these guys, all of them.

Very Good but NOT the "Greatest War Movie ever "

No, Not a 5 star perfect movie but a very good 4 star flick. I still think Saving Private Ryan / Platoon and even Full Metal Jacket are head and heels way over Kings. If you have seen " Kelly's Heroes " ( a groovy Clint Eastwood Vietnam era WW2 war / heist flick ) you have a good taste of the plot of 3Ks, except 3Ks does add more to the after effects of war, explains and shows what gunfire actually does and shows the human cost. No I haven't really seen this too much in modern American film, but any well or decently informed person should already know this. It is entertaining, hopefully educational to those in the masses who didn't already know what happens in and after a war.... BUT the " greatest war movie ", I don't think so.

Top Film of 1999-Three Kings

Without a doubt, if you are looking for a comedy action film that has an intelligent script, outstanding technical achievements, great performances, and direction then The Three Kings is for you. This movie is hilarious, thought provoking, and harrowing in its presentation of what the gulf war must of have being like, in a thinking, action, caper type film that grabs you from the first frame to the last. It is a pity if OSCAR does not honor this film. From my readings, the general consence of most critic put this film in their top ten. Many place it as one of their top three, citing its irrevelant wit, outstanding performances and visual experimentation. Maybe the OSCAR voters will have as much insight and name it their best.

WOW

I saw this movie in the theater and loved it. It really puts you into the minds of the people of that war what it was about. And how we really screwed up. i loved George Clooney in this he did a great job as always. If anyone liked MASH, Saving Private Ryan or any war movie pick this up, I am counting the days till it comes out in DVD.

Not to be overlooked!

When THREE KINGS came out in the theatres, it opened the same week that AMERICAN BEAUTY went wide. THREE KINGS got lost in all of the hype surrounding AMERICAN BEAUTY. This is truley a sad thing. I found THREE KINGS to be a much better film. No major studio film has come this close to feeling like an independent film. This movie gets a way with criticizing American forigen policies in relation to the Gulf War that no major studio release has ever done.

Please do not overlook this great film. That goes double for the people of the Academy.

The Most Real, Hip, and Influential War Film of The Decade!

For all of those looking to find an intelligent piece of American filmmaking this side of the mostly over-hyped Saving Private Ryan, this is your flick. David O. Russell's big studio debut is nothing short of the most fantastic and surrealistic look into the madness {and humor} of war since Full Metal Jacket. All {four} of the "kings" are oddly enough actors willing to prove themselves as capable of great dramatic performances {Batman anyone?}, and do it magnificently. The wonderfully campy visual style of Russell is shown in such extremes as the hilarious and gut-wrenching "bullet cam" {not the "Matrix" one} and the subtle and silent mystique of the Iraqi torture chamber. Probably the best new director since Paul Thomas Anderson, Russell gives us a rich visual and historic tapestry of an event that up until now hasn't been touched by Hollywood with a six-foot pole. I will warn you, this film is definitely not for everyone and {to my disproval} was marketed as a macho, summer action flick, alienating most of it's key audience and thus failing at the box office. But who cares! This is a terrific piece of work by a relatively new director that {in my mind} deserves the illustrious title of film of the year. Not much has been said of the disc thus far, but it's supposed to be crammed with {very deserving} supplements and anamorphic 2.35:1 enhanced while still maintaining a reasonable price. Recommended to anyone intelligent enough to give it a chance as Neo-Hollywood "Treasure of Sierra Madre" with a Pulp Fiction-esque attitude. Soon to achieve cult status. A must buy!

Not the greatest movie ever made (sorry)

I want to give you Amazonians a more balanced view of this film. I disagree that this is "Desert Storm's Platoon". This movie impressed me by tackling some moral issues surrounding the conflict in Iraq/Kuwait as well as issues surrounding war itself. But the issues are not developed very fully and the comedic aspect of the film overshadows and takes away from that development. Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, etc. didn't make a comedy out of themselves. I think the comedy hurt the film. In addition I thought that the story wasn't all that original. You have the anti-hero archtypes in the three leads who end up in the end making the right choice. (We haven't seen that one before). If somebody asked me if I liked this movie I would say "Yes." but I would not give it a five. I give it a high 3, pretty average.

I've been waiting for the DVD release of this for months

Finally it is going to be released.

One of the best war movies I've ever seen. Give a human face not only to the heroes, but also to the enemies, the Iraqis. At the same time it shows to hypocrisy of the US military machine.

Certainly not a film that will get you flag waving, but that is exactly what makes it such a powerful film.

WOW! Like no other war movie

This is like no other war movie I have ever seen. It was not your typical blood and guts tragedy that drags on. The camera work in this movie was unbelieveable! And the story line kept my interest all the way through the credits. What sets this apart from other war movies, is that Three Kings was about post-war and the after effects. Dealing with refugees and stolen goods. Say no more...I do not want to spoil anything. Check this movie out, you will NOT be disappointed.

Hilarious and Intelligent on so many levels

A great comedy/action flick on the surface, with profound subtext running underneath. Even if you don't catch all the symbolism, it still makes for a great war movie and eye-opening revelation to our policies in the Gulf War, how the rest of the world see's America, and often-ignored glimpse at the Iraqi perspective. Beyond that, the film is replete with symbolism about America's own special brand of ingenuity and risk-taking that's led to our economic and cultural dominance, coupled with American's brashness, greed and hypocracy.

The Most Real, Hip, and Influential War Film of The Decade!

For all of those looking to find an intelligent piece of American filmmaking this side of the mostly over-hyped Saving Private Ryan, this is your flick. David O. Russell's big studio debut is nothing short of the most fantastic and surrealistic look into the madness {and humor} of war since Full Metal Jacket. All {four} of the "kings" are oddly enough actors willing to prove themselves as capable of great dramatic performances {Batman anyone?}, and do it magnificently. The wonderfully campy visual style of Russell is shown in such extremes as the hilarious and gut-wrenching "bullet cam" {not the "Matrix" one} and the subtle and silent mystique of the Iraqi torture chamber. Probably the best new director since Paul Thomas Anderson, Russell gives us a rich visual and historic tapestry of an event that up until now hasn't been touched by Hollywood with a six-foot pole. I will warn you, this film is definitely not for everyone and {to my disproval} was marketed as a macho, summer action flick, alienating most of it's key audience and thus failing at the box office. But who cares! The is a terrific piece of work by a relatively young director that {in my mind} deserves the illustrious title of film of the year. Not much has been said of the disc thus far, but it's supposed to be crammed with {very deserving} supplements and anamorphic 2.35:1 enhanced while still maintaining a reasonable price. Recommended to anyone intelligent enough to give it a chance as Neo-Hollywood "Treasure of Sierra Madre" with a Pulp Fiction-esque attitude. Soon to achieve cult status. A must buy!

Clooney and the clan go to war!

When I saw 3 Kings in the theater, I wasn't expecting a whole lot, just a low budget war movie. Let me tell you, this was by far the best movie I saw in '99 and I was shocked to hell about it. The movie centers on 4 GI's in the Gulf War who find out that Sadaam has millions of $$ in gold hidden in one of his bunkers. The set out to find the gold and take it home to retire and lead the good life for awhile. Once they do find it, they realize that the US troops have left the paupers to perish. When Sadaam's troops mercilessly kill a defenseless woman, the Clooney clan alter their mission to save the commoners and to redeem themselves. Clooney was excellent as the 'man in charge' who finally has to put his selfish motives aside and do what's right. Wahlberg is a revelation in his role as a man who just wants to see his family. Normally I don't recommend too many movies this highly, but this is a can't miss! Forget private ryan and all his brothers and give Clooney, Wahlberg and the Cube 2 hours of your time-

The Most Real, Hip, and Influential War Film of The Decade!

For all of those looking to find an intelligent piece of American filmmaking this side of the mostly over-hyped Saving Private Ryan, this is your flick. David O. Russell's big studio debut is nothing short of the most fantastic and surrealistic look into the madness {and humor} of war since Full Metal Jacket. All {four} of the "kings" are, oddly enough, actors willing to prove themselves as capable of great dramatic performances {Batman anyone?}, and do it magnificently. The wonderfully campy visual style of Russell is shown in such extremes as the hilarious and gut-wrenching "bullet cam" {not the "Matrix" one} and the subtle and silent mystique of the Iraqi torture chamber. Probably the best young director since Paul Thomas Anderson, Russell gives us a rich visual and historic tapestry of an event that up until now hasn't been touched by Hollywood with a six-foot pole. I will warn you, this film is definitely not for everyone and {to my disproval} was marketed as a macho, summer action flick, alienating most of it's key audience and thus failing at the box office. But who cares! This is a terrific piece of work by a relatively young director that {in my mind} deserves the illustrious title of film of the year. Not much has been said of the disc thus far, but it's supposed to be crammed with {very maintaining a reasonable price. Recommended to anyone intelligent enough to give it a chance as Neo-Hollywood "Treasure of Sierra Madre" with a Pulp Fiction-esque attitude. Soon to achieve cult status. A must buy!

Great War Movie

This is one of the best films of 1999 and one of the best war movies. Never have wounds looked so real. This is a must-see.