Whoah Nelly!

Rating: 1/10 (28 October 2001)

*SPOILERS SPOILERS*
Before I comment on this film let me just say that I have absolutely no problem with movies about Arab terrorists. Unlike some of the pinkos here, I do not want to see all Arabs portrayed as noble dilligent peaceful people for the sake of political correctness.
But Rules of Engagement sinks to new lows.
The opening sequence clearly establishes that the snipers in the adjacent buildings are shooting at the Marines. Hence, when the Marines open fire on the crowd in response to three of their number being shot the scene is supposed to invoke pathos for the 80+ (!) unarmed men, women and children that are brutally slaughtered. But unfortunately, this is not what the director had in mind. And lest we feel *any* compassion for these screaming turbaned religious fanatics a later shot establishes that every other person in the crowd is armed! Where did they get all those guns? And why did the Yemeni government allow this to happen? Did the director even know that the Yemeni government is an ally of the United States? Why were they being so unresponsive? And WHY WERE THOSE PEOPLE PROTESTING? Did the film even hint at what why they may have been protesting? Does the director, who obviously has a fourth grade education, believe that Arabs spontaneously start violent protests for NO CONCEIVABLE REASON? And if there was a reason why was it not even mentioned?
The audience is meant to believe and sympathize with Sam L. Jackson as he explains why he ordered his men to open fire: "THEY KILLED THREE OF MY MARINES!" he bellows. Oh, that makes it OK! And of course the whole darn crowd was armed. USA! USA!
Ugh. Avoid this film.