Cheap Rules of Engagement (DVD) (Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson) (William Friedkin) Price

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Customer Reviews of Rules of Engagement

Jackson plays career Marine Terry Childers, who is sent to Yemen on a mission to extricate the U.S. ambassador and his family, who apparently have suffered the ire of the local Muslin populace (for what, it is not apparently known. All we really DO know is that Islamic Jihad handed out cassette tapes of the usual kill-the-American-dogs line, and the people went ape-excrement). Childers succeeds in completing his mission, but finds that he and his Marine detachment are getting pounded by enemy fire on the surrounding rooftops, as well as on the ground. Childers orders his men to fire on the crowd, killing many young people. He finds himself facing court-martial in the States, on the grounds that the people he fired upon had no weapons. Thus begins a manhunt on Childers by the State Department, undoubtedly worried about a Lebanon-like situation.

Enter Jones as Hayes Hodges, a soon-to-retire career Marine. Like his Vietnam-era comrade, Childers, Hayes had seen what life was like in the trenches. However, Hodges was not as successful in combat as his beleaguered friend, so instead opted for life as a military defense attorney. Childers puts his future career in the hands of his longtime Marine friend, believing that since Hodges knew what combat conditions were like, he would be the ideal person to defend him. Hodges, though, feels that he can't compete against hot-shot prosecutor Biggs (Guy Pearce), who's been hired by the Secretary of State, Bill Sokal (Bruce Greenwood).

Much of the film deals with the court-martial. Unfortunately, everything that would have made this a great film wasn't there; things like suspense, retribution, or a slam-dunk ending were just, well, missing in action. The end of the film is so anti-climactic, it makes one wonder what the fuss was all about. Even the usually solid performances by Jones and Jackson aren't enough to redeem the lack of spirit in the last 20 minutes of the film.

If you like films with great military court scenes, check out "A Few Good Men", or better yet, "The Caine Mutiny"; they did them first, and certainly did them better. This film just doesn't pass muster in the end.

MORE THAN JUST A COURTROOM DRAMA
Having served in the Marine Corps, I am a sucker for all things Marine. I am also a fan of both Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson, but then again who isnt? These two powerhouse performers team up for one good movie.

Jackson plays Terry Childers who is a 30 year combat veteran colonel in the Marine Corps. Childers is sent into Yemen to rescue an Ambassador (Ben Kingsley) and his family. The mission gets quite hairy and terrorists and civilians both are caught in the firestorm to follow. The incident in seen as an embarassment at best and a political nightmare at worst by the folks in Washington and Childers is put on military trial for murder. He asks his old buddy Hayes Hodges (Jones) to defend him. Hodges also happens to owe Childers his life from events in Vietnam.

The movie has the outcome you might expect and along the way we are introduced to a not so hidden conspiracy to frame Childers for the crime. What separates this usual plot from other films is the outstanding acting of Jackson and Jones. Jones takes center stage and wows you as a former combat Marine turned military lawyer who struggles to search for his own identity and questions his value as a Marine along the way. Jackson as always delivers a rock solid and emotional performance.

The direction of this movie is particularly note worthy. It does an admirable job with addressing the modern military dilemna of fighting unseen enemies in urban environments. The director holds some things from you so that you will find yourself questioning the acts of the Marines involved in the shooting. Only at the end does he give you everything you need to know. This makes the movie better than most.

Overall it is great and the only thing that keeps it from being a five star flick is that Jackson's character, although central to the plot, had to take a backseat to Tommy Lee Jones performance. I thought the nature of the film would have benefited from more scenes surrounding how Childers was dealing with the consequences of his actions. Still, it is a movie worth adding to your collection. Enjoy.

Worth Your Contemplation
This movie will make you think. What exactly are "rules of engagement" in battle? Can rules even apply to conflict?

Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson are both excellent as veteran Marine soldiers fighting the battle of their reputations. Incidents occur in Yemen that unfortunately result in civilian deaths. So who takes the blame? Soldiers. This film brings to light the willingness of civilian judgement against someone volunteering to fight for his country. I don't think a bunch of desk jockies should have that right considering they have never faced a loaded gun and a moment to make the decision of their lives. This film will make you think about your own judgement and about the information you receive.

William Friedkin directs this film with an easy hand, allowing the actors to carry the movie rather than a bunch of guts and glory. Although it was released in 2000 the events are very much related to today. Consider the court marshalls currently taking place against our soldiers in Iraq. Who is to say what rules exist for a young man or woman prepared to die. We know scapegoats exist if only politicians would take their share of the blame. Is it even possible to have rules when some people are immune to following them? Soldiers aren't playing a game that can be replayed for fairness, if they were none of them would ever die would they?