The Kingdom

Name: The Kingdom
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Released: September 28, 2007
Duration: 110 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Chris Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner

2007

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 37 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 132 Ratings

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6.3

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6.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 132 Ratings

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The Kingdom

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: September 28, 2007 | R

Starring: Chris Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner

Summary: When a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury quickly assembles an elite team and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind theWhen a terrorist bomb detonates inside a Western housing compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an international incident is ignited. While diplomats slowly debate equations of territorialism, FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury quickly assembles an elite team and negotiates a secret five-day trip into Saudi Arabia to locate the madman behind the bombing. However, upon landing in the desert kingdom, Fleury and his team discover that Saudi authorities are suspicious and unwelcoming of American interlopers in what they consider a local matter. Hamstrung by protocol--and with the clock ticking on their five days--the FBI agents find their expertise worthless without the trust of their Saudi counterparts, who want to locate the terrorists in their homeland on their own terms. (Universal Studio)… Expand

Director: Peter Berg

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 110 min

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Critic Reviews

Michael Sragow

Berg doesn't let up on the tension, even when the action is bloodless. Read full review

Lawrence Toppman

Director Peter Berg and first-time writer Matthew Michael Carnahan do a smooth, efficient job of storytelling most of the way. Read full review

J. Hoberman

A timely--if tepid--fantasy of American vengeance on the Qutbian extremists of Saudi Arabia. Read full review

Sid Smith

The Kingdom has a heart and a viewpoint. It’s a thrill ride with a lingering thought or two in its wake. But the explosions, breakneck chases, daredevil escapes and predictability about which side will be victorious remain its foremost mission. Read full review

Stephen Farber

Berg's movie is no more than an action movie with an exotic backdrop. That would be fine, if only the movie were more exciting. It succeeds neither as a pointed political commentary nor as a taut thriller. Read full review

Dallas Observer Robert Wilonsky

The Kingdom is essentially "C.S.I.: Riyadh," starring Jamie Foxx in yet another movie his Oscar statue will watch with shame. Read full review

J.R. Jones

At its core this is just another piece of big-studio nothingness. The characters are so underwritten they barely qualify as types, and the movie is badly paced, bookended by high-ordnance action sequences but painfully static in the middle. Read full review

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User Reviews

chandutt

Mar 23, 2011

As I key this the score for this fine movie is 56....can you believe it. I guess it just shows that the smart among us don't write reviews. Good script, tight action, fine acting by foreign actors and a compelling ending make this one of the best action/drama made. Granted the story isAs I key this the score for this fine movie is 56....can you believe it. I guess it just shows that the smart among us don't write reviews. Good script, tight action, fine acting by foreign actors and a compelling ending make this one of the best action/drama made. Granted the story is balanced and thus fails to present the Red, White and Blue as all good, all knowing, but the balance of the tale is outstanding and is clearly superior to any other movie of this general type. Name one that you think is comparable, then ask how layered the plot is in your assumed favorite. Here we start with a massive bombing and move into cultural relationships, a clever cop/buddy movie, great action, and a story that makes sense almost all of the way. Good flick.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

LoganS.

Sep 28, 2007

I thought it was terrific, scary and brutally honest - great acting by the way.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SamY

Sep 28, 2007

Went in not expecting too much, due to low ratings on this site. However, came away pleasantly surprised. Good acting, story, incredible action scenes. Don't believe the haters, go check it out for yourself.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

SpiderA.

Jan 21, 2008

This is a film that doesn't pace itself, first turning to plot, then action, then boredom, then ending. It has so many empty characters, so many missed chances to thrill us, to wow us. Boredom- Towards the middle of the film, the action takes a backseat to try and support the weak plot This is a film that doesn't pace itself, first turning to plot, then action, then boredom, then ending. It has so many empty characters, so many missed chances to thrill us, to wow us. Boredom- Towards the middle of the film, the action takes a backseat to try and support the weak plot that follows. In fact, the entire plot seems to center around politics and not enough on character and action. If I wanted a movie about politics, I would've watched one. What I wanted was an action movie, and from the looks of the trailer it seemed like an action thriller. In other words, the action wasn't even action. They seemed more like scene to intensify the movie, in which it fails. There are so may flaws with this movie, it's hard to pay attention to it without losing interest in it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

JudyT

Feb 27, 2008

Too shallow to be taken seriously.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

JaredC.

Sep 26, 2007

Jamie Fox and cast get the job done, while action that isn't effective, dialogue that annoys, a movie that has so much cam-shake that you can't even watch it. A poor letdown, way too cliched that it frustrates your mind.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Richard

Oct 9, 2007

Jason I read your review and you sound about 15. You have no clue about the movie other than you liked the good guys versus the bad guys shoot em up action flick. By the way who exactly were the good guys? This was a propaganda piece to capitalize on the War in the Middle East except that Jason I read your review and you sound about 15. You have no clue about the movie other than you liked the good guys versus the bad guys shoot em up action flick. By the way who exactly were the good guys? This was a propaganda piece to capitalize on the War in the Middle East except that it backfired big time. No one can be naive enough to think that every child in Saudi, Arabia carries a hand grenade and a rocket laucher in his back pack. But somehow this is what this sorry excuse for a motion picture conveyed. The camera work was attrocious, the directing awful and the acting was a total joke. Other than than Jason this was a great movie worthy of an adolescent without a clue.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

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78	#78 Most Discussed Movie of 2007
48	#48 Most Shared Movie of 2007