Questionable morality, mediocre execution

Rating: 5/10 (21 August 2000)

Taking the movie from a more technical point of view, the movie was merely competent. None of the acting performances really stood out save, perhaps, Guy Pearse. This could be put down to weak characters - was it really necessary to introduce the boring old-drink-problem cliché to Tommy Lee Jones' character? Did the NSA Advisor have to seem so "bad" when they could have made him far more credible as a believer in human values who with-holds the tape on more humane grounds? Other elements such as Big Brown Eyed Kid feel tacked on, and unnecessary except to fulfill their role in making this film feel decidedly average.
However my big problem with this movie was the questionable morale tone it took. The massacre of 83 citizens was deemed acceptable, something to be cheered at - "Look! Some of those nasty little kiddies have guns! Well 3 of mine are dead, let's outweigh our death toll by 80!" The scenes of everyone, kids and all, waving their guns at the poor-misunderstood-only-trying-to-do-good-American soldiers stuck sorely in my throat. Samuel L.Jackson's character seemed entirely unrepentant that his actions wounded so many - his tears seemed more those of self pity (and rang hollow with me anyway). I understand the rules of engagement, as they were laid out, but the film did not take the opportunity to explore the morale qualms such a drastic action as SLJ took might entail. Additionally it took the tired old route of the Middle East against the US. It's the new "Communism" it seems. The Yemenese weren't given a chance to redeem themselves, except as corpses to fuel some temporary angst between TLJ and SLJ (which dissipated when the tapes showed how BAD these Yemenese were).
In the end the movie added nothing new. The Americans were right! The other people were bad (the Vietnamese soldier salutes to show us his respect!). Same old, seen it before. For a far superior movie of soldiers actions in the Middle-East, which examines some ethical issues, I'd recommend people check out the excellent "Three Kings" from last year.