Rules of Engagement

The botched rescue mission of the American ambassador (Ben Kingsley) in Yemen leads to a military trial of the Marine officer (Samuel L. Jackson) who ordered his troops to fire into a crowd of rioting protesters. A crusty Marine attorney (Tommy Lee Jones) then comes out of retirement to defend his former comrade-in-arms in this intense drama about duty under fire. Excellent performances and William Friedkin’s crisp, exhilarating direction keep this familiar mix of action flashbacks and courtroom maneuvering interesting as it pushes several provocative buttons about military might and right. Guy Pearce (the opportunist cop in L.A. Confidential) co-stars as prosecuting attorney.