Rules of Engagement (2000)
Genre: Thriller
Duration: 128 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom / Germany / Canada / United States
Directed by: William Friedkin
Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson and Guy Pearce
IMDb score:
6,4 (53.279)
Releasedate: 7 April 2000
Rules of Engagement plot
"A hero should never have to stand alone."
Hayes Hodges, a Vietnam veteran turned lawyer, must defend Colonel Terry Childers, who is accused of initiating an incident that resulted in 83 civilian deaths. He can't really refuse, because Childers saved Hodges' life in Vietnam. Hodges investigates and comes across some strange things in the run-up to the military trial.
Actors and actresses
Col. Hayes Lawrence "Hodge" Hodges II
Col. Terry L. Childers
Maj. Mark Biggs
Ambassador Mourain
National Security Advisor Bill Sokal
Mrs. Mourain
Capt. Lee
Gen. H. Lawrence Hodges
Gen. Perry
Dr. Ahmar
Reviews & comments
martijn011
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- 2034 messages
- 1309 votes
A film with two faces. Found the first hour to contain a very high level of patriotism. Depicting Arabs as terrorists, which is rightly stated below by the way, and labeling Americans as heroes who have to save their own skin, read: flag, at all costs.
The first hour was quite a letdown for me. I remember this movie mostly because of the trial, so I knew the best part was yet to come.
On the other hand, the second part of the film is excellent and the court hearing completely straightens the film. Very interesting to follow and compelling, partly due to the excellent acting of TL Jones. Whenever he was making a plea I found myself watching and listening with bated breath. I sometimes think Guy Pearce is a bit overacting, but in general he fills his role well.
Jackson is very convincing as always, although I remember that he had more screen time.
I lower the film by half, partly because of the cringe-inducing and exaggerated first hour. Cringing because American filmmakers think very black and white and exaggerated because of the action, which is sometimes over the top. Think of the very exaggerated falling of injured/dead and the different reactions of people.
But with three stars, a sufficient one, this film is definitely worth seeing and even reviewing, especially thanks to the excellent last hour!
Translated from Dutch · View original
Leno
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- 5922 messages
- 4483 votes
Too bad the script isn't strong, overall the story is interesting and the cast is excellent. It is disturbing if a number of things are very illogical, such as the lack of witnesses and those men on the roof, especially the one who shot must have seen those guns. The role of the ambassador is also strange; he is lying because otherwise HE would be blamed. How can he even be blamed for this, especially with all the witnesses.
The scene in which Jones and Jackson get into a fight makes no sense at all and when finally the text appears that all the 'bad guys' have been caught after all, including for destroying evidence, that comes as lightning in a clear sky: the film gives absolutely no reason for that..
Translated from Dutch · View original
dvdcrusher
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- 626 messages
- 518 votes
Brilliant film with excellent acting by Samuel L. Jackson, but especially Tommy Lee Jones, who here plays the best role of his career. Time flew by looking at this print. Strong emotions alternated in rapid succession, especially of emotion, aversion and disbelief. I read above that the script is not strong, but if this is not a strong script, which script is strong I wonder. That film reminds me of The Insider, where the individual is also seemingly powerless against the system, but with the necessary portion of action. I hope this is a true story, if only to have some faith that justice will eventually prevail. 5 stars and actually a serious candidate for my personal top 10, although I don't know which other film I should remove. After seeing Wonder Boys yesterday, this movie came at just the right time.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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