Three Kings

COMEDY meets conscience in the second American movie set in Operation Desert Storm. While the first, Courage Under Fire, was straight-faced, here writer/director David O Russell takes a tone more in keeping with the hijinks of Kelly’s Heroes. With hostilities officially over, three grunts discover a map that shows the way to stolen Kuwaiti gold. Soon Capt Archie Gates (George Clooney) is leading them illicitly across country, hoping for a personal pay day. Violent absurdity abounds but this isn’t a picture that preaches about the perils of war. Instead, it gradually reveals an emotional core.