Rules of Engagement

Focusing on a Marine commander (Samuel L. Jackson) who calls upon an old Vietnam buddy (Tommy Lee Jones) to defend him when he's accused of ordering the murder of civilian protesters at the American embassy in Yemen, Rules of Engagement's premise offers fertile ground for exploration. Is Jackson's character a hot-head willing to commit murder to save his men? Are such means justified by the end of saving the lives of fellow soldiers? Is there anything as black-and-white as the notion of a hero where warfare is concerned? Well, Rules of Engagement isn't interested in any of those questions, because it's always clear that Jackson is an innocent man wrongly accused. Jones and Jackson are, of course, talented actors whose intensity makes it easier to watch everything they do, but the film is simply too busy being a melodrama to worry about ambiguity or nuance of character, too busy appealing to viewers eager to root for Our Boys against the Bureaucracy. Heroes will never have to stand alone--not as long as there are simple-minded crowd-pleasers like this to stand up for the idea that heroes are always right. Not recommended. (S. Renshaw)