While I enjoyed the movie and loved loved loved RDJ, I thought it was kinda like having your cake and eating it -- I didn't feel that the plot machinations undid the viscerality of the crazy Muslim/Arab Terrorist stereotypes (which, of course, included your classic "good native"). And ironically, I think the reference points were too close to reality to have much clout as a critical allegory. Within the confines of a respectable narrative, it could only do so much -- e.g. the arming of warlords needs to eventually be explained as Obidiah being an evil rogue -- an exception, rather than something that's been systematically pursued by various governments and arms corporations.