Every war is different, every war is the same

[baleanoptera]

Three Kings

There were two things I kept pondering while watching this film:
a.)Why isn’t anyone wearing helmets?
b.)Why is it called Three Kings?

So far I have no satisfactory answer to any of the questions, but will welcome any wild speculations.

Comments

[baleanoptera]

Yeah, I suspected the Magi reference as well, but it is just so bizarre because it implies a depth and significance I'm not sure the film has. Though it clearly wants to think it is that important.

Oh man, I'd forgotten all about "Jesus Walks" - but it of course plays at the end and adds another level of anachronism. Kanye West is clearly contemporary to the viewer rather than to the film's characters - and that messes with references and symbolism as well. Doesn't that song go "most of all we're at war with out self"? In the context of the film I'd take that as a critique of the current Iraq-war rather than the last.

It's odd, because parts of Jarhead are really good, yet there are other parts that annoyed the hell out of me. I think the latter are largely the "young-(white)man-goes-to-war-and-finds-his-idealism-falter" plotline that belongs to the main character. It is pretty much identical to the majority of plots in war films' lately, and it would be rather nice if they could come up with something else soon. (though if I

[trailer_spot]

I was actually a bit annoyed by the change in tone of Three Kings when I saw it at the theatre. I didn't know it back then and I prefer to know beforehand if I'm watching something fun or something serious (or a combination thereof).
I never thought much about the title. But I always thought it alludes to the three guys shown in your two pictures above that behave like kings in the Middle East. There's a commentary track on the DVD but I kind of doubt there wil be information about the title.

I don't think I made it through Behind Enemy Lines without a lot of fast-forwarding. Maybe I didn't even watch it 'til the end. Patriotism overload. :)

I originally had higher expectations for Jarhead. I didn't know what to make of it. You probably know it, so just to make sure, I think the "Jesus Walks" comment by "lage_nom_ai" refers to the excellent trailer they made for the movie that very prominentely featured the song. Looking back I'd say it's one of those instances where only watching the trailer a couple of times instead of the movie

[alexandral]

b.)Why is it called Three Kings?

I agree with the trailer_spot - I thought it was a reference to the American army soldier attitudes. They are like the kings of the land. Plus there is may be a bit of a Biblical reference there. I really liked "Three Kings" at the beginning, but it was far too long.

"Behind Enemy Lines" - I found it to be quite a poor movie, a prime example of why I don't really like Hollywood war films - stereotypes, inaccuracies, etc. But mainly I don't like Hollywood war movies because everything in them is about American soldiers (usually as the great saviors of democracy) and American interests (as if they are the most important), not about the people who actually live in the places that are shown. Also usually all the credit for everything is given to USA.

I also noticed the odd American soldiers/angels reference which was very odd.

I know.

[anonymous]

I know why every war is the same.