The Kingdom Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

FBI agents go to Saudi Arabia, shoot some guys, and realize maybe revenge isn’t the best solution, but then again, maybe it is.

🍿 The Kingdom: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Attack in Riyadh

The film opens with a historical overview of the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia, highlighting the importance of oil and the growing tension between Western influence and Islamic extremism. This sets the stage for a devastating terrorist attack on an American housing compound in Riyadh, where many American and Saudi civilians are killed. The attack is brutal and well-coordinated, demonstrating the capabilities of the terrorist cell.

FBI Investigation Begins

FBI Special Agent Ronald Fleury, determined to avenge his friend and colleague who was killed in the attack, assembles a rapid deployment team to investigate the bombing. Despite resistance from the U.S. government, Fleury uses leverage to secure a five-day window to operate in Saudi Arabia. His team consists of forensic examiner Janet Mayes, intelligence analyst Adam Leavitt, and bomb technician Grant Sykes. They face immediate challenges navigating cultural differences and bureaucratic obstacles within the Saudi government.

Unlikely Allies

The FBI team partners with Colonel Faris Al-Ghazi of the Saudi State Police, who helps them navigate the complex political landscape and gain access to the crime scene. Together, they uncover crucial evidence, including the method of the attack and the potential identity of the perpetrators. This unlikely alliance highlights the shared commitment to justice and the need for cooperation in combating terrorism.

Kidnapping and Rescue

As the FBI team closes in on the terrorists, their convoy is ambushed, and Adam Leavitt is kidnapped. This event escalates the urgency of the investigation and forces the team to venture into a dangerous neighborhood of Riyadh to rescue him. The rescue operation is intense and action-packed, showcasing the team’s tactical skills and their determination to save one of their own.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx): A determined FBI agent who leads a team to investigate a terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia.
• Grant Sykes (Chris Cooper): An experienced bomb technician and member of Fleury’s FBI team.
• Janet Mayes (Jennifer Garner): A skilled forensic examiner and a key member of Fleury’s FBI team.
• Adam Leavitt (Jason Bateman): An FBI intelligence analyst who provides crucial support to the team.
• Colonel Faris Al Ghazi (Ashraf Barhom): A Saudi police officer who becomes an essential ally to the FBI team.
• Sergeant Haytham (Ali Suliman): A dedicated Saudi officer who works closely with the FBI team.
• Abu Hamza (Hezi Saddik): The mastermind behind the terrorist attack, driven by extremist ideology.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ronald Fleury: “We’re gonna walk into a crime scene in a sovereign nation, and tell them how to run their country? That’s not gonna happen.” – Fleury acknowledges the delicate diplomatic situation they face in Saudi Arabia.
• Colonel Faris Al Ghazi: “You think you can just come here and do whatever you want? This is my country!” – Al-Ghazi expresses his frustration and asserts Saudi sovereignty to Fleury.
• Ronald Fleury: “Don’t fear them, my child. We’re going to kill them all.” – Fleury whispers this to a young girl at the end of the movie, echoing the terrorist’s sentiment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $70,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $47,536,778
• Worldwide Gross: $87,019,158

💥 The Kingdom Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched ‘The Kingdom’ again last night, and wow, it still hits hard. The opening scene is brutal, but it sucks you right in. Seeing Jamie Foxx and the team navigate Saudi Arabia, trying to solve the bombing, was intense. I really felt for the Saudi Colonel, Al-Ghazi, and his dedication. That ending, though – totally messed me up! It made me think about how violence just keeps going around and around. Definitely worth a watch if you like thrillers with some meat to them.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of action thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in political and military themes”
  • “Those who appreciate ensemble casts and international settings”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and graphic imagery”
  • “Terrorism and war themes”
  • “Some strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “The Kingdom is a well-made and exciting thriller. It avoids easy stereotypes, presenting complex characters on both sides of the conflict. The action is intense, and the story raises important questions about the cycle of violence.
• A.O. Scott: “The Kingdom is not a subtle film, but it’s undeniably gripping. The action sequences are expertly crafted, and the performances are strong. It offers a glimpse into the complexities of U.S.-Saudi relations within a thrilling crime story.
• Peter Travers: “The Kingdom is a visceral and thought-provoking thriller. It’s a movie that will leave you breathless and contemplating the consequences of violence. Despite some shaky cam issues, the film is compelling.

Audience Reactions

The intense action sequences kept me on the edge of my seat!: Viewers consistently praise the realistic portrayal of the cultural clashes and political tensions.

The characters are compelling, and the story is thought-provoking.: Audience find the actors’s character portrayals as interesting.

Overall Consensus: A gripping thriller that blends intense action with thought-provoking themes, although some find the violence and shaky camera work distracting.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Peter Berg has stated the film was inspired by the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, where 19 U.S. servicemen were killed.”
• “The film was primarily shot in Arizona and California to resemble the Saudi Arabian landscape.”
• “To prepare for their roles, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner underwent tactical training with former special forces operatives.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Kingdom?

The Kingdom is available for streaming rental or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing. You may also find DVD or Blu-ray copies available for purchase online or in stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Kingdom, you might like these similar films:

• Syriana (2005): Deals with the political complexities and behind-the-scenes dealings in the Middle East and the oil industry.
• Zero Dark Thirty (2012): Focuses on the intense hunt for a high-profile terrorist leader, showcasing the dedication and challenges faced by intelligence operatives.
• Black Hawk Down (2001): Features intense, realistic combat sequences in a Middle Eastern urban environment, emphasizing the chaos and danger faced by soldiers.

🛒 The Kingdom Related Products

• Tactical Gear Set – FBI Inspired: A comprehensive gear set modeled after the equipment used by the FBI agents in the film, perfect for cosplay or collectors.
• Middle East Crime Thriller Collection (Digital): A curated collection of eBooks and audiobooks focusing on crime thrillers set in the Middle East, exploring similar themes to ‘The Kingdom’.
• Action Figure Set – ‘The Kingdom’ FBI Team: Highly detailed action figures of Fleury, Sykes, Mayes and Leavitt.
• Counter-Terrorism Strategy Game: A strategy video game where players must manage resources and deploy teams to prevent terrorist attacks across the globe, inspired by the scenarios in ‘The Kingdom’.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Kingdom features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Stay (Wasting Time)” – performed by Dave Matthews Band
• “The Kingdom Main Title” – performed by Danny Elfman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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