This slightly obvious wham-bam action thriller - starring Jamie Foxx (pictured) - delivers exciting sequences, but don't expect too much more. Set in Saudi Arabia, a Western housing compound is suddenly and violently attacked by terrorists, leaving hundreds dead. The US authorities decide against sending anyone to investigate, given the already hostile feelings towards Americans in the country, but outraged FBI agent Ronald Fleury (Foxx) refuses to let the attack pass without retribution. He gathers an elite team - including Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman - for a covert mission into Saudi Arabia to track down the terrorists responsible, with explosive results.
Directed by Peter Berg and released in 2007, Foxx works well, playing off the chemistry between himself and Cooper, and building a partnership with Ashraf Barhom, a Saudi colonel assigned to protect the Americans.
Did you know? Although it's fictional, the film is inspired by two bombings in Saudia Arabia - the Khobar housing complex (26 June 1996) and the Riyadh compound (12 May 2003).
(3 Star)
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