Watch The Kingdom

The Kingdom is a 2007 American action thriller directed by Peter Berg and starring an ensemble cast of Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, and Jason Bateman. The movie follows a team of FBI agents who are sent to Saudi Arabia to investigate a terrorist attack on an American housing compound. The movie starts by introducing us to the American compound in Saudi Arabia, where American families and diplomats live in luxurious, heavily-guarded facilities. The peaceful life of the residents is interrupted when terrorists attack the compound, killing many and leaving few survivors. We then meet the FBI team led by Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx), who are tasked with finding the mastermind behind the attack and bringing him to justice.

Fleury's team comprises of forensics expert Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner), explosives specialist Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper), and analyst Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman). Upon their arrival in Riyadh, they find themselves in a hostile environment, where they are met with resistance from the Saudi Arabian police and military, who are reluctant to let them conduct their investigation.

The Kingdom is a gripping thriller that does not shy away from the harsh realities of terrorism and the toll it takes on people's lives. The movie portrays the fear and trauma of the survivors of the attack and the anguish of the families of the victims. It also realistically depicts the cultural differences between the Western and Muslim worlds, as well as the difficulties of conducting an investigation in a foreign country.

As Fleury's team struggles to make progress in their investigation, they must navigate through the labyrinth of cultural traditions, political alliances, and bureaucratic obstacles. They face many challenges, including language barriers, religious differences, and the tense relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The action scenes in the movie are intense and realistic, highlighting the bravery and dedication of the FBI agents as they risk their lives to complete their mission. The Kingdom also touches on the human side of the FBI team, showing their vulnerabilities and personal struggles.

The performances in the movie are excellent, with Jamie Foxx delivering a convincing portrayal of a confident and determined FBI agent. Chris Cooper and Jennifer Garner both give solid performances in their respective roles, while Jason Bateman provides the necessary comic relief as the wisecracking analyst.

The movie's score by Danny Elfman is also noteworthy, adding to the tension and emotions of the film. The Kingdom also features stunning cinematography, with breathtaking shots of the Saudi Arabian landscapes and cityscapes.

In conclusion, The Kingdom is an intense and thought-provoking movie that offers a nuanced portrayal of the war on terrorism. Through its gripping plot and excellent performances, the movie delivers a powerful message about the complexities of the world we live in and the importance of cooperation and understanding between different cultures.

The Kingdom is a 2007 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 56.