War glorification flop

Rating: Null/10 (24 March 2001)

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
Despite the presence of two major current Hollywood actors,Rules of Engagement was something of a box office disaster.It's time of release at the cinema in around July/August 2000 in amongst all the major,big budget blockbusters might have had a part to play in this.But also this is a fairly slumberous,one dimensional effort.Told with little to no humour and dry,unrelateable characters ,it's a bleak,plodding affair which craters out over 2 hours ungracefully.It's crossing point seems to be that all is owed to war and that honour should go in the way of those that choose to resolve matters in that way.The courtroom scenes are quite invigorating,especially so with a surprising and lifting performance off Guy Pearce,and experienced director William Friedkin tries to glide things along with his usual sternness,but overall the film is just too one sided for it's own good.The rules were obviously meant to be engaging,but the film sadly isn't.**