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Rules Of Engagement
2000
An attorney defends an officer on trial for ordering his troops to fire on civilians after they stormed a U.S. embassy in a third world country. Read more
| Starring | Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Guy Pearce, Anne Archer |
|---|---|
| Director | William Friedkin |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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This courtroom melodrama from William Friedkin revolves around marine colonel Samuel L Jackson's decision to fire on a crowd of Arabs storming the US embassy in Yemen. Tommy Lee Jones reluctantly defends Jackson at his court martial, knowing only too well that his former comrade in arms has a tendency to buckle under pressure. A terrific cast (Ben Kingsley, Anne Archer, Philip Baker Hall) is wasted as the two leads do battle with with tough prosecution attorney Guy Pearce, who gives good value in a performance reminiscent of Kevin Bacon in A Few Good Men. Alas, this film is scuppered by a Vietnam flashback that suggests the stars have not aged a day in 30 years, while the sequences in Yemen show Hollywood has lost none of its appetite for unsavoury stereotypes.
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Jingoistic court-room drama of the kind to give patriotism a bad name, with a screenplay that keeps its thumb firmly jammed on the scales of justice.
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A potboiler in the vein of Courage Under Fire, Friedkin's movie convinces while staging visceral action in the combat... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Modern Military Court Drama
This is a modern military court drama along the lines of A Few Good Men (Jack Nicholson & Tom Cruise) and Courage Under Fire (Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington).
A highly decorated marine commander is accused of killing 82 innocent protestors at a demonstration outside an American embassy in the Middle East. The fallout of the incident is potentially disasterous for American relations with the region and they quickly look for a scapegoat to pin the blame on - a rouge soldier is a better excuse for their purposes than a military blunder.
The commader, played by Samuel L Jackson, must rely on a old military buddy, played by Tommy Lee Jones (who was not present at the incident) to convince a court martial that he gave the command to shoot the protestors because he was being fired upon from the crowd.
What follows is a drama that persues the possibilities that he either lost his cool and over-reacter or that he was in fact the only person to see the crowd shooting at his soldiers and had a legitimate reason to return fire - hence 'The Rules of Engagement'. Throw in some politicians muddying the water for their own causes and you're left guessing until the end to see if he is imprisoned or acquited.
The story has an interesting point to make about the 'laws' of war and so is topical in todays climate. However it failed to grab me with sufficient force to make me care about the outcome more than out of pure curiosity. It lacks the punch of the two films mentioned earlier and while the two lead characters are played by fine actors this is far from their best work.
3 stars - worth a look for fans of war films or court battles, but not destined to become a classic. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Rules of Engagement
Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson star in this war movie drama about what happens when the rules that command a soldier become the rules that condemn him.
Action both in the field and courtroom.
An excellent movie. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
War drama
Really gripping courtroom drama of what can happen to a leader in war
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Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Great Film
Not usually the type of film I normally watch, however, Tommy Lee Jones, and Samuel L Jackson, are once again awesome in the film.
Don' think these guys do a bad film. This is one film I would watch again -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Good war film with a difference
this film reflects the how politics can get involved in how soldiers are regarded and treated as much as today and by any country
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10 out of 10 people found this review helpful
Modern Military Court Drama
This is a modern military court drama along the lines of A Few Good Men (Jack Nicholson & Tom Cruise) and Courage Under Fire (Meg Ryan and Denzel Washington).
A highly decorated marine commander is accused of killing 82 innocent protestors at a demonstration outside an American embassy in the Middle East. The fallout of the incident is potentially disasterous for American relations with the region and they quickly look for a scapegoat to pin the blame on - a rouge soldier is a better excuse for their purposes than a military blunder.
The commader, played by Samuel L Jackson, must rely on a old military buddy, played by Tommy Lee Jones (who was not present at the incident) to convince a court martial that he gave the command to shoot the protestors because he was being fired upon from the crowd.
What follows is a drama that persues the possibilities that he either lost his cool and over-reacter or that he was in fact the only person to see the crowd shooting at his soldiers and had a legitimate reason to return fire - hence 'The Rules of Engagement'. Throw in some politicians muddying the water for their own causes and you're left guessing until the end to see if he is imprisoned or acquited.
The story has an interesting point to make about the 'laws' of war and so is topical in todays climate. However it failed to grab me with sufficient force to make me care about the outcome more than out of pure curiosity. It lacks the punch of the two films mentioned earlier and while the two lead characters are played by fine actors this is far from their best work.
3 stars - worth a look for fans of war films or court battles, but not destined to become a classic. -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Rules of Engagement
Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson star in this war movie drama about what happens when the rules that command a soldier become the rules that condemn him.
Action both in the field and courtroom.
An excellent movie. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
War drama
Really gripping courtroom drama of what can happen to a leader in war
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Good war film with a difference
this film reflects the how politics can get involved in how soldiers are regarded and treated as much as today and by any country
-
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Rules of Engagement.
I enjoyed this film, it's a while since (A Few Good Men) and this film was a very good court room drama about a soldier who is on trial for ordering his troops to open fire on arab demonstratrators. Samuel Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones Outstanding.
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Great Film
Not usually the type of film I normally watch, however, Tommy Lee Jones, and Samuel L Jackson, are once again awesome in the film.
Don' think these guys do a bad film. This is one film I would watch again -
Good courtroom action
This is a good film, despite what some other reviewers have said. It has some likenessess to A Few Good Men where effectively the accused did what they felt was the right thing, while others wanted them prosecuted for their actions.
Unfortunately it is easy to see such a situation as this occurring in todays climate of fear post 9/11. -
Nice
Nice Film Worth the time, gripping story and perfect casting.....
Ending was the most beautiful part. -
GREAT film
This is one of THE best films, great action thriller with brilliant actor selection in Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L Jackson and Guy Pearce, together with some good back up players. The truth underlying this 'action / adventure film' is awesome and SO true - the guys behind the scenes (politicians) are shown in all their hideous gory glory. It has a particular resonance in what is going on around the world these days.
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Interesting watch
Really good twists and turns throughout which def makes you think - not a laid back watch as serious stuff
Critics' reviews (6)
-
This courtroom melodrama from William Friedkin revolves around marine colonel Samuel L Jackson's decision to fire on a crowd of Arabs storming the US embassy in Yemen. Tommy Lee Jones reluctantly defends Jackson at his court martial, knowing only too well that his former comrade in arms has a tendency to buckle under pressure. A terrific cast (Ben Kingsley, Anne Archer, Philip Baker Hall) is wasted as the two leads do battle with with tough prosecution attorney Guy Pearce, who gives good value in a performance reminiscent of Kevin Bacon in A Few Good Men. Alas, this film is scuppered by a Vietnam flashback that suggests the stars have not aged a day in 30 years, while the sequences in Yemen show Hollywood has lost none of its appetite for unsavoury stereotypes.
-
Jingoistic court-room drama of the kind to give patriotism a bad name, with a screenplay that keeps its thumb firmly jammed on the scales of justice.
-
A potboiler in the vein of Courage Under Fire, Friedkin's movie convinces while staging visceral action in the combat... read more on Time Out
-
"...Edgy and exciting....Reliably rugged performances from Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones..."
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"...An enjoyable, guilty-pleasure rental." -- 3 out of 5 stars - A Satisfying Rental
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"...You can't help but stay hooked on RULES OF ENGAGEMENT..."
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An attorney defends an officer on trial for ordering his troops to fire on civilians after they stormed a U.S. embassy in a third world country.... -
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