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It’s pretty obvious that the writers behind Three Kings (John Ridley and director David O. Russell) have a beef with the way the war ended, and even the film’s visual palette sports a gritty, high contrast look that’s as harsh and smirking as the dialogue. At times, I felt like I was being personally accused of encouraging a sectarian uprising and then doing nothing to help organize or support it. Not wanting to commit to another Vietnam, once all that precious Kuwaiti oil was safe America went back to drinking Crystal Pepsi and watching Seinfeld, or whatever the primitive culture of the early ‘90s did with their time. Shame on us!

I’m certainly not here to debate the merit of this argument. Although I should point out we just ended up having to go back again later and do what we should have done in the first place at much greater cost, and then made the exact same mistake we did the first time and now an army of hooded militants straight out of an Indiana Jones movie is taking over the country. But whether you’re too old to buy any of it or too young to care, it really isn’t necessary to view Three Kings as a political satire. Almost every character in this film requires some level of absolution, and their journey is intriguing, if still somehow incomplete.

Archie in particular begins the film frustrated with being unable to help the resistance, but his convictions feel hollow in light of his actions. It would have been nice to know a little bit more about why he is who he is. It seems like the kind of guy who’s bitter about his job because he’s not really as good as he thinks he is. Clooney IS however, and while he doesn’t exactly stretch himself here (think Danny Ocean: The Early years), he proves his ability to carry more thoughtful material. And he probably saves himself (and us) from another string of bad rom-coms, until he finally ended up on Lifetime playing a paraplegic radio DJ who has to help Janeane Garofalo come to terms with losing her eyesight.

So whatever you think of Episode One, Episode Two, or anything else, those with an appreciation of dark humor, irony, brotherhood and friendship, and even quality cinema in general should find Three Kings a surprisingly welcome distraction. It’s got a good sense of humor, a unique look and feel, an appealing cast and - for those who need it - a political subtext that’s sadly still relevant. There’s just one extended, preachy scene that feels like it’s missing Alan Alda and because it’s the ‘90s, only a couple of gimmicky early shots that look like they belong in a Whitesnake video. Most of all, Clooney did enough here to make us forgive the Bat-Nipples and finally commit, as a society, to throw all our money and women at him. I think you’ll agree society is a better place because of it.

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