The Kingdom comes across like a fairy tale for adults, where heroes ride off to a faraway land and battle the forces of evil, the two sides delineated clearly and any obstacles stated neatly. In this case, after Saudi-based terrorists strike an American compound on Saudi soil, a four-person FBI team (Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman) flies out to investigate, only to find their work hindered by both local police restrictions and cultural differences.

But, lo and behold, it turns out some people aren't so different after all, as the Saudi officer (Ashraf Barhom, one of the best parts of the movie) assigned to escort the team wants to see justice done every bit as much as the Americans. The Kingdom makes its points obviously and hits its marks on cue, stressing its message of yes-we-are-different-but-we-are-the-same, and rather strangely making its case for recognizing shades of grey on a canvas that's essentially black-and-white.

It's intriguing for a while -- director Peter Berg plays up the American cowboy attitude, emphasizing the pros and cons of it; and when the FBI team is allowed to do its detective work, it moves in a police procedural kind of way. Too bad the movie throws most of that out the window when it hits its big gunfight climax. Though nicely staged, everything that happens in it is too fast and convenient, almost to the point of corniness. It's all very wish-fulfillment stuff, but the gratification doesn't end up feeling deep. (Capsule review.)

(Released by Universal Pictures and rated "R" for intense sequences of graphic brutal violence and language.)

Review also posted at www.windowtothemovies.com.