I’ve definitely done my share of complaining when it comes to the lack of decent storylines in action movies. Usually there’s a very simple motivation, like revenge, that motivates the main characters to chase, fight and defeat their opponents. And sometimes that’s just fine. But more often you feel cheated by plot holes and find the story does not justify the hero’s actions. This can really ruin the moviegoing experience. The makers of this movie should at the very least be commended for trying to add context to what still remains an action movie.

In The Kingdom, an four man FBI taskforce is flown to Saudi Arabia to investigate a bombing that took place in a compound that houses western oil workers. As soon as they land they find themselves in the center of all sorts of political controversy and complicated religious conflicts. At first their investigation is frustrated by local authorities, but they gain the trust of a local commander and eventually things start to happen.

The problem with trying to explain the volatile situation in (some) detail is twofold. It delays the action, which therefore mostly takes place in the second part of the movie. But more importantly it is in direct violation of action movie law. Every hero needs a nemesis, and you can not give that person a human face by addressing his motivation and feelings. You need a real monster if you’re going to justify killing it. That’s why The Kingdom ends up avoiding real shades of gray and making the situation increasingly more back and white before the bullets really start flying.

What does work is how all the events up until then add to the excitement of the final action scene. When it finally arrived I found myself more engaged then I would be in a typical genre movie. The movie’s gritty feel and colour scheme also add to the excitement. But since you’ve been using your brain right up until the action you notice how the script starts to cut corners and becomes a little too convenient.

Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman do well as the FBI agents, but it’s Ashraf Barhom who steals the show. His portrayal of a police officer caught in the middle between religious fanatics and western influences is one of the best things this movie has to offer.

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