Rules of Engagement
Tense but shallow military drama heavy on violence, language
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rules of Engagement
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Rules of Engagement shows intense depictions of combat with a lot of graphic, gory gunshot wounds. There are many gory, bloody depictions of the injured and dead that include women and children as well as soldiers. Profanity is strong and frequent, mostly variations of "f--k," "s--t," and "damn." There is some drinking as well. End titles explaining what became of the main characters may make it seem like a true story; it's not.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Toward the end of a long and illustrious career in the Marines, Col. Terry Childers (Samuel L. Jackson) is sent in command of a rescue mission to the U.S. embassy in Yemen. The mission to evacuate the ambassador and his family goes south, and the platoon loses three Marines and gets pinned down. Childers orders his troops to fire on the rioting crowd, killing women and children. The backlash at home is intense, and Childers is court-martialed for murder. He asks his buddy from the Vietnam War, Col. Hodges (Tommy Lee Jones), to defend him. Hodges is by no means the best lawyer available, but Hodges will leave no stone unturned to help his friend. Will Childers be the scapegoat, or will justice be done?
Is It Any Good?
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT presents extreme graphic violence designed to shock and horrify, and it certainly succeeds in doing that. Unfortunately, even older teens who can handle the gore and prolific swearing won't be left with much to think about. The strong cast is serviceable but never really transcendent. The plot provides a lot of tension, and there's a fair amount of suspense over Childers' fate, but it isn't enough to sustain interest. The story takes on a lot: a disastrous battle in Vietnam, a rescue mission in Yemen gone bad, a long-term friendship, an investigation, a court-martial, politicians saving their careers. But the attempt to provide breadth only shortchanges depth and leaves the viewer mainly frustrated by the sense that there was a better movie in there somewhere.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about graphic violence in movies. How does what you see in this movie compare to others you've seen? Does it help tell the story? How does it make you feel?
Were you surprised by the outcome of the court-martial? Why, or why not?
Were the events and the actions of the characters realistic? What was easy to believe could really have happened? Was anything hard to believe?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 30, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: October 10, 2000
- Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Samuel L. Jackson
- Director: William Friedkin
- Studios: Paramount Pictures, Seven Arts Productions, Munich Film Partners and Company
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Friendship, History
- Run time: 128 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: Scenes of war violence; language
- Last updated: February 26, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
A Few Good Men
Complex military whodunit. For mature teens+.
-
Born on the Fourth of July
Unflinching, violent story of Vietnam vet turned activist.
-
Hart's War
Big WWII drama about honor, courage and sacrifice.
For kids who love dramas
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate