The Kingdom
(PG)

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A new action-thriller with a pointed political edge, The Kingdom is that rare hybrid of balls-out gunplay, explosions, hair-raising chases and jump-out-of-your-seat violence powered by an unexpected, hugely welcome dose of smarts. The action kicks off with a kinetic and sobering animated recap of the rocky history of the Middle East up to 9/11, quickly followed by a catastrophic surprise attack on the men, women and kids of a heavily guarded American oil company compound on Saudi soil. In the aftermath, a team of FBI special agents (Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman) comes to investigate, full of American kick-ass gung-ho. Soon, though, they find themselves up against punishing desert heat, a massive culture clash, the resistance of local law enforcement and interference from a U.S. diplomat (played in wrongheaded Ari mode by the usually spot-on Jeremy Piven).

Where the movie -- directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) and written by Matthew Michael Carnahan (Lions for Lambs) -- really cooks, though, is in the slow-building relationship between tight T-shirted, foul-mouthed Foxx and a justice-minded police official (played with award-worthy brilliance by Ashraf Barhom) assigned to oversee and protect the American emissaries. What the movie has to say about American intercession into Middle East politics is troubling to say the least, but the whole movie percolates with tension throughout, and the finale -- a tour de force chase and rescue sequence -- is so suspenseful, beautifully choreographed and emotionally fulfilling that it gets audiences cheering.

The Kingdom is one of the better, more expertly made and most gut-level satisfying movies of the year. It addresses the current Middle East crisis without grandstanding or speechmaking. The final shot of a Middle Eastern child, his face filled with confusion, rage and pain, speaks volumes.

by Stephen Rebello

credit: Frank Connor/©2007 Universal Studios. All rights reserved