Director Peter Berg got his start in front of the camera, with rolls in films like Wes Craven’s schlocky Shocker (1989) and later Michael Mann’s fantastic Collateral (2004), before creeping behind the camera. His directorial beginnings were rather rugged however, with the straight-up bad Very Bad Things and the fun yet unsuccessful Rundown (2003). He had his first big success in 2004 with the Billy Bob Thornton lead football drama, Friday Night Lights, before returning to the action genre with this year’s The Kingdom.

Ronald Fleury (Jamie Foxx) and his team of FBI Agents journey to Saudi Arabia without any sort of governmental permission to investigate a horrific act of terrorism in an American housing complex. The team is plagued with problems, as Saudi officials prevent them from doing an accurate job. Having an American female on their team who doesn’t adhere to their conservative ways doesn’t help either.

The film ends up being pretty enjoyable and way less preachy than you’d think it to be. It doesn’t pride itself with providing wall-to-wall action sequences but when they happen, they’re pretty damn untouchable. Any sort of artificial additives (like computer-generated effects) are hidden well enough to avoid any distraction. Cinematographer Mauro Fiore (who also shot Training Day and Smokin’ Aces) keeps the lens focused and steady, keeping the moments all the more intense.

The DVD has a handful of typical additives. There are multiple extras dedicated to the construction of the film’s two biggest action sequences - the Apartment Shootout and the Freeway Sequence. Both segments are a relatively short, yet informative, look at just how action of this caliber is done. DVD enthusiasts who have spent countless time watching various extra features have certainly seen this before.

There are a few deleted scenes presented here that anyone can easily figure out why they were deleted. Whatever extra element they would have presented just didn’t have a big enough outcome on the overall story. There is also a commentary by Peter Berg that definitely could have benefited from an extra person (like on of the main actors or even the cinematographer).

The Kingdom is definitely a worthy addition to any action fan’s collection as long as you don’t expect anything too smart. It strives to be a politically aware action vehicle but never steers itself down the right road. If you can help yourself from taking it too seriously, it’s a predictably entertaining thrill ride that more than fills any appetite for explosions.