Rating: 
Summary: Black Hawk Down
Review: "Black Hawk Down" the movie is similar to the events - it ends with a "okay, but what was the POINT?" feeling. The book does not much explore the political context and situation in the U.S. (which the author ackowledges, and which isn't the point of the book), but the film ignores it completely, except for one comment about Washington turning down a request for "AC 130 Spectre gunships and light armor" (which, by the way, President Clinton was open to but, being hamstrung by a resistant Republican congress, decided against, which the author ackowledges would have increased civilian casualties, particulary the gunship). The film also gives short shrift to the few Somali stories Mark Bowden included in his book. Seeing the Somali man who picked up his rifle and went out after Americans after seeing his brother shot down by a bullet from one of the American convoys would have added some balance. By ignoring the political context and some of the events of the next few days, such as the dragging of American bodies through the streets and the negotiations for the captured pilot, the film does come off as jingoistic. But, since I paid a measely $ used for the disk, and it has great action sequences and matches "Private Ryan" for war realism, I know I'll watch this one more than once.
Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME, AWESOME, ...
Review: WOW! The best war movie yet! Finally a war movie with no romance! No offence to anyone but I don't like romance in these particular movies and this is coming from a girl! Awesome movie. Josh Hartnett was astonishing! Along with the whole cast and crew! I wish Blackburn(Orlnado Bloom) never got hurt***
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Combat Movie - Shocking Story
Review: As a war movie that portrays combat from a soldiers perspective, Black Hawk Down is right up there with Saving Private Ryan and Platoon as one of the all time greats. This is in your face, down and dirty, do or die combat that pulls no punches about what it is like in a combat zone. The camera work is very good, as is the special effects. I give special mention to the scenes showing the crashes of the two Black Hawk's. These are extremely well done. The location where the movie was shot, in Morocco, is fantastic and the scenes where the camera pans over Mogadishu and the coast makes you feel as though you are really there with the soldiers. In summary, as a movie that depicts combat, Black Hawk Down is excellent. Now on to the not-so-good parts. The DVD has very few special features, bar a couple of trailers and a lame documentary, which just rehashes the movie. Excellent movie, which in adddition to its realistic combat action, highlights humanities lack of respect for one another.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie
Review: This movie was excellent. It really showed the ugly side of war, not that there ever was a pretty side of war but definitely not a glamorized version of war. This movie was done purely on the side of the American soldiers so do not expect to watch it and see storylines of the Somali people or the reasons why. This movie focuses on the soldiers themselves and what they had to do and the motto "never leave a man behind." Make sure and pay attention because if you don't you may miss who is who(a lot of the soldiers look alike.) In fact it might take a second or third time of watching it to finally say "Oh OK, that was that guy."
The DVD left a lot to be desired however. It has one special feature, the behind the scenes making of black hawk down. If you are really wanting a copy of the movie then by all means buy it but a special edition DVD is being released in 2003.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite modern war film
Review: There are many good war films, but of all those made since "Platoon," this one is my favorite. Worth owning.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I thought it would be.
Review: I thought this movie was going to be American hype and not really show the gritty side of war or police actions but it did a really good job. Some of the scenes were hype though, like nobody running when a helo comes calling near the end. (If you don't know what I mean by "helo comes calling" than you were never in combat.) I have read reviews here that stated that Clinton (President Clinton) should have stayed and finished the job, but the job was done and warlords tend to die by their own people. While BLACK HAWK DOWN won't make any young man enlist it will instill pride in comraderie. Now if only Hollywood would make a real life movie about the Panama invasion then the little wars of the last decade of the 20th century would be immortalized
Rating:
Summary: Accurately portrays what happened and follows the book
Review: After getting the movie I bought the book on which it is based. This movie accurately depicts the American side, as written in the book. While some reviewers have complained about the chest beating bravado of the soldiers, their attitudes, right or wrong, is the way they were trained. This movie is very intense, and for all that it is even less intense than the book. I am astounded by the political situation, lack of our governments material support of Somalia (ie. the removing of the 2000 marines, not supplying tanks), the fog of war and what I consider command failures. These include the p-3 orion orbiting overhead and watching the convoy, but not being able to talk to convoy direct, directions had to go through 2-3 levels of command. What these men went through, why they went through it and what we thought we would achieve is dramatic. The innocent Somalians being caught in the gunfight, women and children shooting at the Americans, seeing your friends killed, all in a chaotic situation. Whether one questions are motives or right to be in Somalia, you can't help but admire the average soldier who followed orders. For a realistic depiction of what went on that day in Mogadishu for American soldiers fighting for their lives, watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Story
Review: Alright, i am a military buff, and i know a good portrayl of a war or battle when i see it. Black hawk down is the story of 100 U.S. soldiers who were sent into mogadishu Somalia to extracate one of the warlords who had the taken over part of the city. We were outnumbered 10 to 1, and only the bravery and courage of our fighting military allowed us to prevail. After 2 black hawk helicopters went down, the soldiers were forced to fight non stop until help could arrive. In the end only 19 of our men were lost, to their 1000. Josh Hartnett gives a good portrayl of a cool, calm, and collected Sergeant Eversby. There were many outstanding supporting roles as well. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a true to rights war story.
Rating:
Summary: The next best thing to being there.
Review: A masterful work. But a bit too much to take.
My hat is off and my heart is burdened for military personnel who have seen combat. This film purports to portray combat and I find it hard to endure, even as a mature adult. I perceived that the purpose of the director was never to glorify violence, but instead to show the story of courageous people. But this film is not for the faint of heart.... ....and I avoided Saving Private Ryan based on such reviews.
Rating:
Summary: KILLER MOVIE
Review: Awesome special effects, and based on true life accounts. I think this movie does justice to the men who were actually there. If a cowardly draft-dodger hadn't ordered them out, they would have completed their mission.
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