Three Kings DVD Review

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Three Kings(SE)/A,A

Warner/1999/115m/ANA 2.35

Three Kings speeds ahead like a formula one race car on the fast track to reckless fascination. When the movie slows down to more carefully examine its political themes, it's almost as if the director has slammed on the brakes, shocking the car into a momentary spin. But that's okay. Director David O. Russell has earned the right to add some international political comment to his magnificently audacious view of America's 1990's desert war.

Blood, guts and treasure. ŠWarner

     Three Kings is a rousing adventure movie building on the heritage of films like Gunga Din or The Man Who Would Be King and embellishing old formulas with up-to-the-minute sensibilities that appeal to modern audiences. Set in the parched Iraqi desert during the closing moments of Operation Desert Storm, the film travels the unexpected road.
     Major Archie Gates, the rough and ready career officer two weeks away from retirement is a direct descendant of Archibald Cutter in Gunga Din. Gates, in between doing extra service for the female press corps, discovers that an interesting document has been recovered from one of the Iraqi prisoners. He barges in on dogfaces, Barlow, Elgin and Vig, who are pondering the possibilities of a treasure map recovered from as unsavory a source as ever surfaced in an adventure romp. Gates takes control of the operation, and before you can Desert Storm, these guys are speeding through the sand in a Humvee on a collision course with a stash of Kuwaiti gold. Saddam's soldiers, Iraqi rebels and their own consciences provide the obstacles that make this journey to the borders of adventure much more than the usual action fare.
     I wonder how many more times George Clooney will have to prove himself a bonafide movie star before a box office explosion is set off by his fuse? Clooney is terrific as Gates, giving the character his customary cool bolstered by an eruption of integrity. Mark Wahlberg finds another good role in Troy Barlow. Wahlberg makes a complex and endearing picture of a confused young soldier. Spike Jonze is literally an uncovered treasure. Jonze, who directed the wild ride through the twisted corridors of surrealism, Being John Malkovich, proves as adept actor. His loyal Conrad Vig is perfect compliment to the cool of Gates and the innocence of Barlow. Ice Cube plays Chief Elgin with strong physical presence. The supporting roles, many filled by locales with no professional background, are impeccably interpreted.
     David O. Russell lets it all hang out in this directing tour-de-force. Russell, whose previous films, Spanking the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster were comedies with an unusual voice, is a major surprise. He gives the action/war movie an infusion of fresh blood, drawing on the resources of his collaborators with sharpshooter aim. The astounding photography of Thomas Newton Sigal helps bring Russell's startling vision to life. Crafted with technical flourish, the camera manages to emphasize the story telling despite its outrageous use. Carter Burwell's score for Three Kings is another example of the composer's unique ability to capture the perfect rhythms for a variety of films. And production designer Catherine Hardwicke does an amazing job of making the American locales taste like the gritty sands of Iraq.
     The highest praise I can offer is that this terrific special edition DVD replicates the look of the theatrical presentation with perspicacious success. The transfer is quite remarkable considering the challenge presented by the variety of film stocks, lighting schemes, and process effects Russell and cinematographer Sigal opted for to make this unique film. The texture of the film almost looks as if the celluloid were laced with sand to produce a feeling of the desert. The prominent grain is finely replicated with consistent movement. There's not just one style of grain, but a whole grain vocabulary. High contrast scenes create dramatic effects. The colors are often distorted to hyper reality. You won't believe the variety of lighting conditions this transfer is subjected to and manages to display. The DVD is without any noticeable edge enhancement and the result is a sharp and well defined picture. Warner the good sense to add an opening caption of caution before the film begins addressing the stylized filming techniques. For the initiated, this prevents misunderstanding of the deliberate look of Three Kings. The Dolby Digital 5:1 Surround is a blast (sic), with explosions powerful enough to rock home theater furniture, bullets ricochets are placed with extreme accuracy, and the smashing Carter Burwell score is delivered surrounded by the dry air of the desert.
    The DVD is a treasure trove of fascinating material. Featuring two audio commentaries, from Russell, and Producers Charles Roven and Edward L. McDonnell. There's a typical behind the scenes making of short. Several deleted or expanded scenes can be accessed with or without Russell's observations. On the Set of Three Kings, a short, highly entertaining profile of the production design achievements for the film, is narrated by production designer Catherine Hardwicke. Thomas Newton Sigal, the talented cinematographer, narrates a companion explanation short about the photographic stylization of Three Kings. If this isn't enough to sate your videophile appetite the Warner team has included Russell's video journal, another level of understanding the making of movies. There's lots more. You'll have to get the package to find out all about it.

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