2008 Woodie Awards
'Kingdom' history lesson with explosions
Charlie Peppers
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 10/4/07 at 10:09 PM EST
Last update: 10/4/07 at 10:07 PM EST
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The director's grave mistake was his lack of focus on character interaction.
The silver-tongued Jamie Foxx and butt-kicking Jennifer Garner lead an earnestly talented ensemble.
Foxx and Garner do not bring their token charm into this film, however. Neither of the actors woos the audience with over-the-top jest or kung-fu savvy.
Surprisingly, both the actors give quiet performances and slip comfortably into their roles as two down-to-earth FBI agents - both emotionally jarred by the recent onslaught of Middle Eastern terrorism.
You'll rise in your seat when these two have their little moments on screen, whether they're playing a fun-spirited game of Scrabble or reflecting on the severity of the war.
It's a shame that these moments are few and far between.
In fact, the most heart wrenching moment of this film is one of its most simplistic - a Saudi-Arabian father forcing his young child to gawk at the string of explosions in a nearby villa.
This is evidence that there is heart underneath the obnoxiously political surface of "The Kingdom."
This flick came marginally close to capturing the emotional depth of "Crash," but became too tangled in its anti-war sentiments.
It's a known fact that people love to watch other people. The moments when the characters all mused upon their jobs, families and lives were the most enjoyable.
Those moments were undoubtedly the jewels of "The Kingdom."
The silver-tongued Jamie Foxx and butt-kicking Jennifer Garner lead an earnestly talented ensemble.
Foxx and Garner do not bring their token charm into this film, however. Neither of the actors woos the audience with over-the-top jest or kung-fu savvy.
Surprisingly, both the actors give quiet performances and slip comfortably into their roles as two down-to-earth FBI agents - both emotionally jarred by the recent onslaught of Middle Eastern terrorism.
You'll rise in your seat when these two have their little moments on screen, whether they're playing a fun-spirited game of Scrabble or reflecting on the severity of the war.
It's a shame that these moments are few and far between.
In fact, the most heart wrenching moment of this film is one of its most simplistic - a Saudi-Arabian father forcing his young child to gawk at the string of explosions in a nearby villa.
This is evidence that there is heart underneath the obnoxiously political surface of "The Kingdom."
This flick came marginally close to capturing the emotional depth of "Crash," but became too tangled in its anti-war sentiments.
It's a known fact that people love to watch other people. The moments when the characters all mused upon their jobs, families and lives were the most enjoyable.
Those moments were undoubtedly the jewels of "The Kingdom."
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