Rating: 
Summary: Best war movie since "Tora Tora Tora"
Review: As an Army wife of some 30 years (now retired), I listened when my husband talked about war. He wouldn't watch most of the movies, called them 'rubbish', but shortly before he died in November, he saw "Black Hawk Down", and was visably moved. The military advisors, writers, director, and producers did a magnificent job. The actors brought the characters to life and along with all the kudos for the leads, please watch carefully the performance of William Fichtner as SFC. Sanderson. He got it all exactly right. Thanks Mr. Fichtner.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and spectacular!
Review: "Black Hawk Down" may be the greatest war movie ever made. This is not a film that attempts to buoy itself in dubious storylines (such as the otherwise amazing "Saving Private Ryan") or political statements about the causes that wars are fought for and the inherent goods or evils therein. "Black Hawk Down" is an utterly ferocious depiction of urban warfare; a to-the-details accurate recreation of the fiercest firefight that American soldiers had (at the time) been involved in since Vietnam. This is an absolutely riveting account of the undescribable professionalism and heroism of a relatively small number of American troops pinned on the ground in the middle of an entire city full of armed people who are trying to kill them. Those who have criticized "Black Hawk Down" have neglected to appreciate the film's overriding purpose, which is to place the audience right there in the streets with these soldiers as they come under unending enemy fire from every imaginable direction for 18 straight hours. I have never seen a war film that has done a better job of depicting the utterly hellacious ferociousness of military combat, and therefore created such a deep and lasting appreciation and respect for our country's fighting men and women, what they go through, the sacrifices they endure, the hard-fought victories they win, and the causes they are called on to fight for all over the world. The movie avoids all the sloganeering that would beat these values over your head, but if you come away from the film without having absorbed them for yourself, then the purpose of the movie has been utterly lost on you. This is not a movie about stories or morals; it's a movie about the combat experience and what it brings out in those who fight, and by the time it's over, you can only react with tears of sadness... but also of great, great respect.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Sound Oscar? Not on this DVD
Review: While I think the movie is a great technical experience and one of the most stressful (in a good way) pictures I've ever sat through, I must say I was very disappointed in the sound on this special edition disc, which isn't right, since this won the Oscar for best sound editing.First of all, it's a crime that there wasn't a DTS track on the disc with the feature, but the 5.1 mix just isn't up to snuff. There was very little feeling of ambient sound and the mix was largely centered in the front speakers. There are occasionally some sounds that zip by in the rear speakers, but I was not impressed, and thought the disc makers really glossed over something that I would vastly improve the experience of this film. That being said, it's a great flick and I haven't had time to go through all the extras, but I'm looking forward to it, especially the Frontline documentary and the Ranger commentary.
Rating:
Summary: The DELUXE DVD version is SUPERB!!! A must have.
Review: I owned the original release of this DVD and, thanks to this new release, I now own the deluxe version. Needless to say, this speaks volumes over how much I love this film. I'm not a particularly big fan of war films but this movie really hit an emotional chord with me and I consider it one of my favorite films ever. It is a truly powerful film. However, this review isn't about the film itself. Hundreds of people before me have already done that. I am reviewing the DELUXE DVD version, which I must say was well worth the wait. If you are a fan of any of actors of this film, then the special features will be a major treat. The main members of the cast (approx. 20 actors) - from Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Sam Shepard, Eric Bana and Jason Isaacs to up-and-comers Hugh Dancy, Matthew Marsden and Orlando Bloom get a major boost in this DVD. The 2 1/2 hour "Essence of Combat" documentary alone is worth the price of the dvd. It is packed with fabulous behind-the-scenes features, candid interviews and footage featuring the screenwriter (Ken Nolan), book author (Mark Bowden), director (Ridley Scott), special effects guys, composer (Hans Zimmer), military/technical consultants, cast members and even the actual soldiers who were involved in the mission. There are approx. 9 deleted scenes, most of which were a shame to not have been included in the final film. There are also photo galleries, loads of commentaries and many more!!! If you are a fan of the film itself or want to know more about the events surrounding the Somalian conflict, there are two excellent TV documentaries from PBS and the History channel that would do just that. I highly recommend this DELUXE DVD to fans of the film as well as fans of the actors involved. It is a major treat to see your favorite actor go through the week long military training (orientation) at the Ranger/Delta/Pilot facilities, get their haircuts or just talk about their overall experience in the film. Add to that an high quality transfer of this top-notch film and many other special features and you've got one of the best DVDs ever released. Simply superb!
Rating:
Summary: Leave No One Behind
Review: Based on author Mark Bowden's bestselling account of the October 3rd 1993 incident, that was originally only going to take some 45 minutes, instead it turned into a 16 hour firefight. U.S. Special Forces Rangers were assigned to take over the city of Mogadishu and capture key lieutenants of Somali warlord Muhammad Farrah Aidid. What seemed like a simple removal of a brutal leader, became deadly, after 2 Black Hawk Helicopters were shot down by ground missles operated by Aidid supporters. Forced to fight their way out and mount the rescue of fellow captured rangers, the film takes you right there with its realistic recreation of these events. Directed by Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down, is very intense. Its combat sequences are very well done--and unsettling. The film is well cast. There are fine perfomances from Josh Hartnett as Ranger. Matt Eversmann, Eric Bana is Delta Sargent Gibson, Tom Sizemore as Ranger Lt. Colonel McKnight, (in his 3rd military role, behind Pearl Harbor and Saviing Private Ryan) and Ewan McGregor is Ranger Danny Grimes, they're all impressive here. Some have commented on the film's graphic depictions. I, myself, had no problem with that aspect of the movie. Like many modern war films, I think if you concentrate on that too much you end up missing the point. The film also doesn't spend much time preaching about the mistakes of what went wrong, nor does it apologize for the Clinton administation, it puts you in the middle of the conflict and lets it play out. For the record, I have not read the book, as I write this, but the film is well made and makes you think. These men are portrayed as heroic and brave--and that's as it should be. The film is available in 2 ways on DVD. This single disc version has a limited amount of extras. Production notes, theatrical trailers, and an on set featurette, lasting about 25 minutes is all you get here. If extras aren't your thing, then, this disc will suit you just fine. For a more in depth look at the film and the incidents in Somolia, then I highly recommend instead, you check out the 3 disc set for the film, that's now available
Rating:
Summary: Great Example of the "New Urban Combat"
Review: When you hear the so called experts talking about the "New Urban Combat" type of wars that will be fought, this was what they meant. This movie is not for the faint of heart, it shows what war is all about; it's dirty, bloody, and awful! This movie is as close to the real thing as you'll ever want to get.
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, Powerful, Pulls No Punches
Review: This movie disturbed me so much that I had to watch it in stages. I couldn't sit through it in one session. It is that powerful. Others that complained about the gore and lack of story line--those people need to stick with "nice" war movies like The Fighting SeaBees. War is violent. War, often times, lacks a story line. This movie echoes that. I was struck by two things. A) These guys are heroes, each and every one. They didn't ask to go out, but when called, they selflessly do a job.
B) They have ABSOLUTELY no idea what they are getting in to when they saddle up and head out. Anyway, this is an excellent movie. Not for the faint of heart. Not for the John Wayne-type of war movie crowd. ESPECIALLY not for younger veiwers. I like this movie. I just hope that I can sit through the whole thing in one viewing this time.
Rating:
Summary: 1 Blackhawk Down 3 DIsc Deluxe Edition - WOW
Review: The new 3-Disc Deluxe Edition of Blackhawk Down is one
of the best DVD's you can own. Toss out the single disc version. The Making of Blackhawk Down movie is 2.5 hours long. I haven't seen it before. It is SPECTACULAR. It shows you scenes that should have been added to the original film but had to be deleted due to length. This movie could have been another Apocalypse Now marathon if more of the scenes shot on 1 million feet of film were included. The added documentaries from the History Channel and PBS Frontline put the film in a political context. President Clinton is never mentioned in the actual film. The initial helicopter assault on the target building is filmed from 6 different angles and was repeated 3-6 times. You can watch each angle or all six at once as part of the extras. The minimal footage of the 160th SOAR helos in the movie, are made up for by being in the background in almost all of the Makin' of scenes. Incredible flying.
The Delta CQB assault on the target house is included as a deleted scene that should have been in the movie. I have new respect for the actors who are shown in Ranger, Green Beret, and 160th SOAR training learning to move, shoot, and fly like the real SF troopers. This training effort made them look more believable in the movie. The actual movie is an afterthough after spending 4-5 hours watching the extras. If you have any connection to the military or SF, this is your ultimate DVD. This 3-Disc Deluxe Edition Blackhawk Down DVD leads the way!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Real life
Review: This was by far the best war movie I have ever seen. Straight story line about the screw up in Somalia. There is no preachy hollywood garbage, just a no holds barred look at modern warfare. It gave a non combatant like me the "feel" of what it might be like in combat. It is sometimes difficult to watch because of the pain and suffering endured by both sides during the battle. Very well acted by Josh Harnett as Sgt. Eversman, and Tom Sizemore as the senior officer in the field during the battle. I cannot say enough good things about this film. I will also purchase the special edition which is soon to be released.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I just have to say that this movie was an absolute disappointment. I love war movies; in fact, they are my favorite genre. And I've seen them all. But this one lacks substance. It is a war movie for the sake of gore. If there is a plot to it, it is lost behind the overkill of the blood, gore, dismantled bodyparts, etc. I strongly recommend seeking viewing pleasures outside this movie.
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