Nick66
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
Not really. The album itself got mainly good reviews, and of course it sold by the bucket-load.
The minor critical backlash that U2 experienced circa 1989 (after the album, really) was an inevitable over-exposure backlash more than it was anything to do with Rattle & Hum. If you become the biggest rock band and you're fairly outspoken (hell, even if you're not) a P.R./critical backlash is awaiting you 100% of the time, regardless of an album's merits. They had reached the end of one route by 1989, but none of this means the album itself was a "flop".
Right you are.