journal features

movie review - Rules of Engagement

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Sydney, 2000.08.20

We saw this only because we'd decided to wander into one cinema after having walked out of Shanghai Noon. We did it just for cheap thrills.

The movie, though, turned out to be worth watching, so we stayed. It's about a career soldier (Jackson) who takes an assignment to rescue the American ambassador to Yemen. He winds up opening fire on a crowd of men, women, and children that were all carrying arms and shooting the troops under his command. There's a trial, needless to say, and Jones - a washed up soldier who was was removed from active duty for good after he came out of a Vietnamese engagement the only survivor - is his lawyer.

Recommended.

rand()m quote

Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

—Hermann Goering