Thieves of Baghdad
Three Kings Shows Different Side to Gulf War

The Gulf War filled our television screens less than a decade ago. Yet, even today most people don't understand what we did there, or why. In Three Kings, a story of greed becomes one of social awakening as American soldiers come face-to-face with the war we didn't fight -- and should have.

The worst thing about Three Kings is the trailer, which make it look like The Great Train Robbery. This is not a story about gold, but of war. But it's not a war film. It's a drama about people during war and the atrocities that go on -- and are allowed to continue -- because of politics.

George Clooney plays a special forces major assigned to escort a television reporter after the Gulf War. When Gates (Clooney) gets wind of a story about stolen Kuwaiti gold, he becomes eager to find it. A map pulled off an Iraqi soldier shows the location of some hidden bunkers (presumably where the gold is hidden).

But when Gates sets off with Barlow (Mark Wahlberg), Elgin (Ice Cube), and Vig (Spike Jonze), they discover that gold isn't the most valuable thing in Iraq. To some, like the people of the village they raid, freedom from tyranny is worth even more. As a result, questions are raised about America's involvement and the consequences of our actions.

Despite some cardboard characterizations, Clooney and the others manage to portray interesting and sympathetic characters. Clooney is likeable and courageous, but seems wooden at times. Wahlberg (The Big Hit) did outstanding as Barlow. As a family man, he's the easiest to relate to. Cliff Curtis is very good as a political prisoner set free who helps fight Saddam's army.

The story itself fails to convey the real politics of what happened there, except for one or two comments that would be meaningless if you didn't already understand America's involvement with training the Kurdish resistance. The moral message of the film is lukewarm at best, failing to hit home exactly how horribly we abandoned those who would fight Saddam.

Ulitmately, that's the problem with Three Kings. It tries to be more than an action movie, and it almost delivers. But the powerful statement it could have made is lost amid the action and the stupid Hollywood ending. I think this movie was good, but it could have been much better.

MY RATING: 7 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 115 min.