Rules of Engagement - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

On paper, the premise of Rules of Engagement (the 2000 film, not the dumb 2007 sitcom) sounds intense, but the execution is, honestly, a bit of a mixed bag, largely falling flat yet feeling somewhat xenophobic. As expected, legendary filmmaker William Friedkin showcases his knack for intense scenes and dramatic flair whether in the heat of battle or the courtroom. However, the story by politician James Webb and the screenplay by Stephen Gaghan (Traffic, Syriana) hinge their bets on absurd government conspiracies, villainous politicians, and certain eye-rollingly bad plot points that are as outdated as a VHS player. (Although one would come in handy for those fortunate enough to snag a copy of the limited edition of "Alien: Romulus.") Worse still is the corny epilogue conclusion that conveniently wraps up the fate of all involved, reassuring the audience that everything will be fine despite the complex moral dilemma presented. 

The plot revolves around a controversial military operation in Yemen that leaves many dead, including children, while the country questions the moral justification of the soldiers' heroic acts. This is the classic "innocent soldier caught in a web of political deceit" kind of deal, which is fine when done right. But let's be real, some of the political commentary feels like it was pulled straight from a 90s B-action movie script. It's as subtle as a sledgehammer, and the way it handles certain racial issues feels grossly targeted and is about as nuanced as a Twitter argument at 3 AM. What makes this film bearable or possibly worth a watch is the courtroom drama, which is frankly edge-of-your-seat engaging, especially with powerful monologues attempting to tackle the moral dilemmas of war. 

Friedkin certainly knows how to direct a tense palpable showdown, giving us glimpses of what could have been a great film even when we can easily predict how it's going to end. The way he frames each argument, particularly the back-and-forth leading up to the verdict, is like watching a chess match where every move is a checkmate. It's genuinely a letdown since the movie had the potential to tackle these complex issues more thoughtfully. And it's made all the more disappointing with a phenomenal cast bringing their A-game to the table. Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones are like Batman and Robin, but instead of fighting crime, they're fighting ... well, bureaucracy and public perception. And let's not forget about the always-watchable Guy Pearce as the arrogantly confident yet conflicted lawyer.

In the end, Rules of Engagement is a passable, decently average film, nothing to write home about but not a total flop either. It has its moments with solid performances from Jackson, Jones, and Pearce, combined with Friedkin's deft direction during the court drama. But it's held back by a story that's as stale as last week's bread. While the performances and directing save it from being a complete snooze-fest, its themes and storytelling elements leave much to be desired, not exactly recommended for a thought-provoking night in. It might satisfy the mood for a leisurely simple, uncomplicated evening or for a military drama with a side of courtroom showdowns, but don't expect A Few Good Men level of brilliance. It's more like "A Few Good Men's Cousin Twice Removed Who's Not As Smart But Still Kinda Charming."

Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray
Kino Lorber brings William Friedkin's Rules of Engagement to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a two-disc combo pack. The triple-layered UHD100 disc and a Region A locked, BD50 disc are housed inside a black, eco-elite vortex case on opposing panels, and the package comes with a slipcover. At startup, the disc goes straight to a static menu screen of the cover art with the usual options along the bottom and music playing in the background.

Struck from a fresh remaster of the original 35mm camera negatives, the military courtroom drama engages Ultra HD, equipped with an outstanding, near-reference HEVC H.265 encode. Fine lines and objects are consistently sharp, exposing the minute details of costumes and production design. The Dolby Vision HDR presentation showcases vibrant, sumptuous primaries and a full-bodied array of earthy secondary hues, and facial complexions appear accurate and healthy, revealing the smallest wrinkle, pore and negligible blemish. A spot-on contrast balance delivers brilliantly vivid whites and crisp, radiant specular highlights. Black levels are rich and inky with excellent shadow delineation, providing the 2.39:1 image with appreciable dimensionality and an attractive cinematic appeal. Awash in a stable, fine layer of natural grain, the native 4K transfer is gorgeous and film-like. (Dolby Vision HDR Video Rating: 94/100)

For a drama that mostly plays out in the courtroom, this DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack is shockingly loud and active from start to finish, making it an impressive, reference-quality track guaranteed to give anyone's system a great workout. Imaging is surprisingly broad and feels vast with convincing movement between the three channels and into the off-screen space. From the light sounds of the city and commotion of Yemen streets to the local wildlife and military training, the surrounds are nearly continuously employed with various ambient effects, generating an immersive 360° soundfield. Although the mid-range is largely dynamic and relatively extensive, a few moments come off a tad bright during the loudest, most explosive action sequences, almost as if the original design was pushed a bit beyond its limits. Thankfully, the score displays great fidelity, and the vocals are very well-prioritized and precise. Finally, a powerful, commanding low-end provides a palpable, couch-shaking weight to the action scenes. (Audio Rating: 96/100)

Supplemental features are surprisingly small and disappointing, all of which are housed in the accompanying Blu-ray disc with only the commentary shared between both formats.

• Audio Commentary features director William Friedkin riding solo
• Behind-the-Scenes (1080i/60, 23 min)
• A Look Inside (1080i/60, 13 min)
• Trailer (HD)

William Friedkin's Rules of Engagement sounds like an intriguing, thought-provoking premise on paper, revolving around a challenging moral dilemma about military conflicts and featuring excellent performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones and Guy Pearce. But sadly, the execution is a bit of a mixed bag, largely falling flat, failing to thoughtfully address its themes and relying on some eye-rollingly bad storytelling elements. Rescued from decades of DVD hell, Kino Lorber puts the military courtroom drama on the Ultra HD trial, delivering a striking Dolby Vision HDR presentation and an impressive demo-worthy DTS-HD MA soundtrack. The supplements are rather disappointing, but overall, the UHD package is Recommended for the curious. 

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