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Rules of Engagement @ The OdeonStarring: Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, Guy Pearce, and Ben Kingsley.Verdict: Another Military/Legal Thriller that's all bluster but lacks the thrills.Samuel L. Jackson is bad ass, he really is, Jules from Pulp Fiction, Mace Windu in Star Wars and upcoming as the private dick who's a hit with all the chicks 'SHAFT', and there's no change here, even if he is called Terry. Poor old Sam is a man dedicated to the Marines, it's his life but after killing 83
civilians, who 'allegedly' had no weapons, by ordering his marines to open fire on them
while trying to protect the American Embassy in Yemen. Rather than have the USA be blamed
the Government decides to put it on poor Mr Jackson and conveniently 'lose' all the evidence
in his favour. So far so A Few Good Men/Courage Under Fire/The Negotiator. In steps 'Nam
buddy Col.Hodges (Jones) who owes his life to Sam and is a military lawyer, who feels he
must defend his best friend and the man who saved his life. Opening scenes in the Vietnamese jungle and then in Yemen are stylishly pulled off but with
little edge, far too glossy and polished compared to the recent 'Three Kings' which put a
new spin on how to film combat. Whether it is acceptable to fire upon armed and dangerous
women and children in combat is a great moral question to address. However the cliché script
blows over this, preferring to focus on a turgid courtroom battle between the old has been
lawyer(Jones) and the new up shot, played by former 'Neighbour' Pearce. This leaves a clash
between the emotive issues of guns and warfare and the simplicity of a blockbuster for
Saturday Night at the movies, which, in the end, has the glossiness and lack of substance
as winners.
by Chris M Send us comments on this film... Check out the official site - http://www.rulesmovie.com back to the top back to the cool stuff... directory |