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Summary: Ridley Scott's epic presents a harrowing vision of hell.
Review: Black Hawk Down is, plain and simple, a combat film. It's primary purpose is to show what a soldier has to go through and the hell he endures in the heat of battle. At this, Black Hawk Down has possibly no rival, as few movies come this close to displaying the overwhelming amount of graphically violent combat that director Ridley Scott infuses this film with (the only other two films of such nature would be Saving Private Ryan and We Were Soldiers). BHD is a bloody film, violent, and pulls no punches in its determination to create the ultimate vision of hell on earth. When it comes to combat-oriented films, Scott's epic possibly has no competitor.
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Summary: Great action movie.
Review: This movie was non-stop action from the moment it began to the moment it ended. I walked out of the theatre with an adrenalin rush. Just like Saving Private Ryan showed the Rangers of WWII, this movie shows the Rangers of today. It also shows two other top-notch special operations groups: 160th SOAR (basically, the best military helicopter pilots in the world) and Delta (a small group of covert, fast-attacking, grade-A marksmen). This movie does a great job at showing the comradery that these warriors share and gives some much earned respect to these men for the service they provide. "Nightstalkers don't quit!" "Rangers lead the way!"
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Summary: Bravery and Death in Somalia
Review: Josh Hartnett and Ewan McGregor are under heavy fire in the gripping war drama "Black Hawk Down". In 1993, a group of American soldiers are sent to Somalia to capture a ruthless warlord. When the mission goes terribly wrong, the men find themselves outnumbered and fighting for their lives. "Black Hawk Down" is a powerful action-packed masterpiece of American filmmaking. Director Ridley Scott (Gladiator) has capture the fury and carnage of war with such stunning suspense and realistic detail. The battle scenes are fierce and truly spectacular. The movie is superbly cast with Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGreggor, Eric Bana and Tom Sizemore delivering some fine performances. The film is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen format. Its picture quality is exceptional and flawless and the 5.1 Dolby Digital sound is amazingly clear with aggressive sound effects. Among special features, it contains a behind-the-scenes featurette, trailers and filmographies. The animated menus look and sound great. Overall, "Black Hawk Down" gets an enjoyable "B+".
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Summary: The "realities" of war for an MTV generation
Review: After watching the movie and reading a majority of the previous reviews I sense a couple of things:1. Many of the praise toward Black Hawk Down comes from the fact that it shows "what really happened", or at least in the eyes of a soldier. They have to endure the chaos and get out. To be diligent, that is what makes a soldier honorable. 2. As a result, Ridley Scott could ignore all of the politics and social aspects of the war. Instead this was a movie about taking orders and grin and bear it. 3. Because this is Hollywood produced entertainment, Ridley Scott easily succeeded in fascinating, shocking, and capitivating viewers over the chaotic violence of war. We cheer when they kill those savage Somolians (mission success). 4. Unfortunately Ridley Scott possesses the audience with these basic primitive fight-or-flight feelings and attempts to do little else. 5. Because this is really a historical fiction movie, we need plot (beginning, middle, and end), we need genuine characters that live in the world the director creates, we need a moral to the story that gives us a new perspective on war (than just the typical soldier logic they add in). That's what makes a story, everything else is just illusion. 6. As others have suggested (and I have not read the book version or read up on what really happened) the message of this bit of current history would have been better portrayed as a documentary. Instead of exploiting the story for it's entertainment value, we could actually seek to understand the conflict in all it's political and social complexity. 7. As a sad commentary on our times, this MTV dominated world craves raw emotion and visual power. If you look at Saving Private Ryan, Enemy at the Gates, Behind Enemy Lines, and most likely Pearl Harbor (though I haven't seen it) their pure power is the visceral, dramatic, gritty, realistic imagery. That's blockbuster language, that sells products (Note: the director of Behind Enemy Lines was a successful producer of TV commercials), but that doesn't make a good story. 8. If you are out for profit, then all the elements that make a good story don't matter. Appearance is everything. This, Ridley Scott understands. And to his shame, that is all he understands. Much of what has destroyed today's movie-going experience is all of the dramatic hype. Anymore, all that the director/producer expects is that we are in it for the ride. So just throw in a bunch of stereotypes and watch the chain reaction. Or better yet, read some classic novels and sink your teeth into some real meat.
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Summary: One of the Best...
Review: Black Hawk Down (BHD), is probably one of the most realistic movies I have seen since Saving Private Ryan. The movie follows "America's Elite" Delta Force and Task Force Ranger. On October 3rd 1993, Delta and Ranger forces combine to capture Mohammed Farrah Aidid's top Lietenants, and escape the city. As they do so, two Black Hawk helicopters get shot down, bringing an entire city upon them. BHD is the best modern war film ever made. There's no patriotism, no real winner, just real war. Definately a reccommended buy if you're a history buff and/or just like good movies.
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Summary: Incredible Movie, TERRIBLE DVD
Review: The movie was excellent, and the book was even better. No war movie (or narrative account) I have ever seen (or read) has captured the reality of combat as well as this one has, with the POSSIBLE exception of Saving Private Ryan (I can't say for sure as I was not present at the Normandy invasion, nor was I involved in any similar combat). But for the life of me, I cannot fathom the answer to one simple question: Why in the world does this DVD not include digital surround sound support? Didn't Black Hawk Down win an Academy Award for Best Sound in 2001? (I have the DVD case sitting in front of me, and indeed it did.) Had I taken the time to examine the case at my local retailer and seen that there was no digital surround sound, I never would have bought it. Some may see this as nit-picky, and you may be right. The absence of digital surround in no way diminishes the story told, or the sacrifice made by our troops in October 1993. The film is still visually stunning, and the story is no less compelling. BUT... The reason we spend hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on home theater equipment is so that we can have the next best thing to a theater experience in our homes. However, if the movie studios cannot include support for enhanced audio features on the DVD's they distribute, then we've basically wasted our money. I loved this movie when I saw it in the theater, and had the DVD allowed for an enhanced viewing experience, a five-star rating would have been a no-brainer. My advice- DO NOT purchase this DVD until the inevitable Special Edition comes out, which will assuredly include the enhanced features that this edition lacks. Until then, rent it.
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Summary: "...Black Hawk Down is one of the best films of the year."
Review: BLACK HAWK DOWN (2001) **** of 4 MPAA RATING: R (Intense, Graphic War Violence; Language) Stars: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, William Fichtner, Thomas Guiry, Tom Sizemore. REVOLUTION STUDIOS. Ridley Scott's uncompromising war epic, BLACK HAWK DOWN, is remarkable in its own field as an all-too graphic action-drama which focuses on the real life event of the 1993 battle in Mogadishu, Somalia. US Delta Force and American Rangers are sent into the starved city and infiltrate, only to be brutally attacked by the angry civilians. Trapped under fire, the soldiers are forced to bear the pain-staking horrors of war. The ending result of the attack left behind 19 American casualties, thousands of Somali casualties, and hundreds wounded. The endurance of the battle is probably close to the harsh endurance of the film, being the film is so accurate and so devastatingly violent- it puts you in the front line and lets the war begin to fire right before you. The characters are a well-ensambled. Josh Hartnett is at the top of the credits, however, numerous character are of subject matter as well. There are a near twenty different focal points, but no matter, the view of the war remains the same. The performances are well-done, believable, and separated, leaving no central character, but letting a memorable cast remain. Producer, Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Harbor) lets Director, Ridley Scott (Gladiator) take charge, and that is probably the means of the brightness of the film. "Black Hawk Down" is non-stop war, blood, guts, bullets, bombs, and mayhem. It works so well because it is such a violent depiction of war, as if the actual event was filmed, and the ensamble events were puzzled together perfectly. The visual effects and sound are top notch, and the Oscar Winning film editing is magnificent. Above all else, Black Hawk Down is a fantastic and surreal war film. It needs no central character, or central factor of presence; it needs no explanation for its graphic combat sequences. It only departs leaving behind an unforgettable scenery of the brutalities of uncontrollable war. Ridley Scott directs with triumph. The film alone is a triumph. You will never be closer to war than with "Black Hawk Down." It is quite a compelling ride, despite its uncompromising tone, and it holds true "Black Hawk Down" is one of the best films of the year.
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Summary: Whole lot of shootin' going' on
Review: This is an action-filled recreation of an American mission into Somalia gone bad. The Americans were to capture a local dictator and his lieutenants, but instead one of their helicopters is shot down and things go from bad to worse as they are attacked by local soldiers. Help is slow in coming and the Americans hold off their enemy as best they can while waiting for reinforcements. The action is fast and furious and the acts of courage are everywhere. This is a well-made film and is recommended for those who enjoy this genre.
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Summary: Great Movie, Below Average DVD
Review: This is one of my favorite movies. I am glad I rented it before I purchased. The DVD packaging is well below average for a movie fan. The extra features are disappointing. This DVD is a rental only. Save your money for the special edition that will come out in a couple of months.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie, BUT.......
Review: After reading the book and watching a documentary with interviews of the guys who were there, Im thinking they put a little too much hollywood BS in despite their claims of "making this film as accurate as possible" Wish I could hear what the guys who were there thought about the movie, God bless all of them.
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