The Kingdom (R)

Intense, bloody look at Mid East violence.

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Common Sense rates it
2
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Peter Berg
  • Cast: Chris Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner
  • Running Time: 110 minutes
  • Release Date: 09/27/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 12/26/2007
  • Genre: Drama
  • MPAA Rating: R
  • MPAA Explanation: intense sequences of graphic brutal violence, and for language.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this intense, bloody movie isn't for kids. There are explosions, shootings, hand-to-hand combat, torture, kidnapping, a careening car chase, explicit shots of bloody bodies and body parts, and more. The overall plot and themes are also mature -- terrorism, graphic crime investigation, children at risk and killed, etc. -- and the camerawork is especially chaotic (some viewers may be bothered by its pretty much nonstop movement). Language includes multiple uses of "f--k" (which offends the Saudi police chief) and other profanity.

Families can talk about how violence is portrayed in this movie. Is it realistic or gratuitous? What message is the movie sending about the cycle of violence in the Middle East? Who "wins" in this movie? Families can also discuss how the U.S. FBI team members react to their new environment in Saudi Arabia. Are they respectful or arrogant? How do they get what they want, even when they're supposed to obey local restrictions?

Message

Social Behavior:

The FBI team is stalwart, and the Saudi police colonel is noble (tensions between them evolve into friendship and mutual respect). Bombers are relentlessly villainous.

Consumerism:

Images of or references to CNN, Larry King, Washington Post, Scrabble, L.L. Bean, Washington Wizards, Kobe Bryant, Rambo, the Hulk, Steve Austin (the Six Million Dollar Man), and The Pixies (band T-shirt).

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A few scenes of a character smoking cigarettes.

Violence

Opening montage shows archival news footage of war and terrorism (including a plane hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11). The early Riyadh attack scene includes explosions; shootings of men in uniforms, civilians, and children (a child watches a man get shot); bloody limbs, torsos, and faces; many bodies falling; and a suicide bomber exploding a grenade. Observers videotape the attack; the footage appears again in the film, and flashbacks show the attack several times. A forensics team examines the bomb crater, including body parts. Tense confrontation leads to a man slapping another. Retired bomb-maker talks about being haunted by "dead faces" and shows his hand, which is missing fingers. Roadside bomb explodes a car. Shoot-out leaves bloody bodies (shown in close-up). Chase scene features cars crashing and frenzied camerawork. Team member is kidnapped, dragged (leaving a bloody trail), tied up, tortured, and very bloody. Team's assault on the kidnappers' hideout involves lots of shooting, chaos, and noise (as well as children as witnesses), and the death of a key character.

Sex

Brief reference to Janet's T-shirted figure, which Saudi hosts believe should be covered more completely (Ron says she must "dial down the boobies"). Brief kiss.

Language

Language includes lots of uses of "f--k" (20+), plus "s--t," "bulls--t," "goddamn," "son of a bitch," "lucky bastard," and other phrases ("circle jerk," "you big queer").

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Cynthia Fuchs

After civilians are killed in a post-9/11 terrorist attack in Riyadh, the FBI calls in Special Agent Ron Fleury (Jamie Foxx), who quickly assembles crack team -- forensics examiner Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), explosives technician Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), and intelligence analyst Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman).The team heads to Riyadh, where tensions are high. The Americans bristle at predictable "backwards" thinking from the locals, including efforts to curtail their tough-guy language, conceal Janet's figure, and restrict their access to the crime scene. Ron insists they be allowed to look for evidence, question witnesses, and even go off the compound in order to determine the bombers' identities, though everyone seems to know right away that the head villain is Abu Hamza (Hezi Saddik). To offset the "bad Arab" vibe, the film also includes a very good one, police colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom), who inspires Ron to persist. Since the team has only 36 hours to build a case, they work fast and rather ruthlessly, inciting the outrage of local authorities and, apparently, terrorists, who decide to take revenge by exploding cars and kidnapping a team member.

Is it any good?

2
Equal parts action movie, police procedural, and cross-cultural tolerance lesson, THE KINGDOM boasts charismatic stars and a topical focus. But for all its energy and pyrotechnic brilliance, Peter Berg's new film is strikingly old-fashioned. It didn't have to be this way.

While it's obvious that the team will recover their man, the film underscores his brutal abuse by hooded captors -- just to make sure you know they deserve all bad things coming to them. While the U.S. offensive is supported by the Riyadh police (especially noble Al Ghazi), the focus is on the Americans, who are characterized as fierce, committed, and utterly selfless. Though Ron admits to Al Ghazi that he's aware of his nation's many imperfections, the film seems stuck on this primary points: When push comes to shove, Americans are right.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 14 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/13/08 by The Blue Cell Adult contributor
4


Posted on 03/27/08 by moviegoer19 Kid contributor, age 12

Very, very good!

This movie is really good, but really violent. In the first 10 minutes of the movie, it shows people (at close range) being shot and killed brutally. It continues during the movie. It may not be the best thing to show your 12-year-old, but I was able to watch it.
4


Posted on 03/25/08 by Movieman Kid contributor, age 12
4


Posted on 01/26/08 by tedgoodier Adult contributor

Uncomfortable Moments

I felt this movie was much better than reviewers gave it credit for. Perhaps it is too contemporary and based too closely on very realistic violent terror incidents to be comforatable watching as entertainment. One extended scene, based loosely upon the beheadings like those of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl, had me crawling in my skin. Unrealistic and a bit overblown in it's plot, still very timely and worth watching.
4


Posted on 01/20/08 by waterdog Adult contributor

Good movie with a realistic ending

This was a very good movie the begining is very powerful and very realistic. I would have a different ending. The ending was effective and realistic. There was alot of shooting with very little of the characters getting wounded even thought the enemy had the high ground and more weapons, slightly unrealistic but it played. A very good movie, well worth the time spent watching it.
5


Posted on 01/19/08 by prs113 Adult contributor

Action At All Times

If you like action movies with contemporary themes, this is a great movie. Good story, decent acting, well worth renting, even though the violence isn't for everyone.
5


Posted on 01/02/08 by Drummer1235 Kid contributor, age 14

action movie with a soul

This movie is an incredibly paced action movie. However it goes well past the constraints of any shoot em up. The Kingdom is really an in-depth look at the middle east. It humanizes and villianizes both sides. It allows the viewer to draw their own conclusions. The language and violence are not a big issue for a mature 11 or 12 year old. Any younger and it wouldn't be worth it because they wouldn't understand. This movie will leave you thinking... peace
5


Posted on 11/28/07 by mak Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 11/02/07 by robots in disguise Kid contributor, age 17

I want to watch it again

As long as your ok with R rated violence (like Gladiator) and some language then watch this movie.
5


Posted on 10/09/07 by anoreo Kid contributor, age 14

See all 14 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/13/08 by The Blue Cell Adult contributor
4


Posted on 01/26/08 by tedgoodier Adult contributor

Uncomfortable Moments

I felt this movie was much better than reviewers gave it credit for. Perhaps it is too contemporary and based too closely on very realistic violent terror incidents to be comforatable watching as entertainment. One extended scene, based loosely upon the beheadings like those of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl, had me crawling in my skin. Unrealistic and a bit overblown in it's plot, still very timely and worth watching.
4


Posted on 01/20/08 by waterdog Adult contributor

Good movie with a realistic ending

This was a very good movie the begining is very powerful and very realistic. I would have a different ending. The ending was effective and realistic. There was alot of shooting with very little of the characters getting wounded even thought the enemy had the high ground and more weapons, slightly unrealistic but it played. A very good movie, well worth the time spent watching it.
5


Posted on 01/19/08 by prs113 Adult contributor

Action At All Times

If you like action movies with contemporary themes, this is a great movie. Good story, decent acting, well worth renting, even though the violence isn't for everyone.
2


Posted on 10/06/07 by Gerard1 Adult contributor

Good 16 and older though.

Good.
5

Posted on 09/29/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor
3


Posted on 09/28/07 by quest13 Adult contributor

Fair

Worthy to see.
See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

4


Posted on 03/27/08 by moviegoer19 Kid contributor, age 12

Very, very good!

This movie is really good, but really violent. In the first 10 minutes of the movie, it shows people (at close range) being shot and killed brutally. It continues during the movie. It may not be the best thing to show your 12-year-old, but I was able to watch it.
4


Posted on 03/25/08 by Movieman Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 01/02/08 by Drummer1235 Kid contributor, age 14

action movie with a soul

This movie is an incredibly paced action movie. However it goes well past the constraints of any shoot em up. The Kingdom is really an in-depth look at the middle east. It humanizes and villianizes both sides. It allows the viewer to draw their own conclusions. The language and violence are not a big issue for a mature 11 or 12 year old. Any younger and it wouldn't be worth it because they wouldn't understand. This movie will leave you thinking... peace
5


Posted on 11/28/07 by mak Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 11/02/07 by robots in disguise Kid contributor, age 17

I want to watch it again

As long as your ok with R rated violence (like Gladiator) and some language then watch this movie.
5


Posted on 10/09/07 by anoreo Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 10/02/07 by football41 Kid contributor, age 12

Great

This is a great movie. You should take them to go see it, as long as you let them hear cussing and they can handle depressing bloody action scenes.
See all 7 kids reviews >
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