Rating: Summary: Best Film of 2001 Review: Black Hawk Down is a great movie. As much as I thought Gladiator was trite garbage, Ridley Scott has totally vindicated himself with this moving, gritty, intense war drama.
Rating: Summary: As Good, if not better than Saving Private Ryan Review: Ridley Scott's true tale of the most costly U.S. firefight since Vietnam creates with graphic detail the events leading up to and including the events of October 3rd and 4th, 1993, when 130 U.S. Rangers and Delta Operators took part in a mission to capture key Somali warlords. What makes this film work better than Private Ryan is that it does not waste time with cliched characters who sit around and discuss the meaning of war and its motives and consequences. Black Hawk skips right to the story of telling us who these guys are and what they do. Keeping in mind that a majority of the men in the raid were in their early 20s, and one of them was 18 years old. These were just a bunch of rock and rollers who beleived they were part of an army that was undefeated and invincible. Also, Private Ryan's combat scenes revolve around only a few incidents in the film, the first and last 25 minutes of the movie. Although very realistic and graphic, they at times don't capture Balck Hawk's feeling of chaos and confusion, even with advanced technology available. Its amazing that an advanced country with helicopters, computers, satellites can be rendered useless in a city like Mogadishu. Black Hawk actions scenes area ctually one big one, lasting at least 90 minutes and being filmed in a more frenetic pace and style, not like Private Ryan's larger and more grnad setting wheere it is hard to concentrate on the action. It soon becomes a mission of survival when two Black Hawk choppers are shot down and if becomes a rescue mission, but soon the RAngers and Delta find themselves cut off, and a convoy sent to find aid them and reach the crash sites gets shot up in some of the film's most realistic and graphic scenes. If you have read the book by Mark Bowden you will find many of the details, even minor ones, have been included in the film, giving it a more personal and emotional touch. Don't miss out on what was 2001 best film. And don't miss out on some of the most realistic and graphic combat scenes ever filmed.
Rating: Summary: Buyer Beware Review: This is a movie that won Best Sound at the Oscars this year, and this disc does not feature a DTS soundtrack. Wait for the special edition whenever it comes out. Ridley Scott has done special editions for his last two movies, Gladiator and Hannibal, and there is no reason why he will not for this movie. This movie will sound dynamic in DTS, if you have the patience and means, I highly recommend you wait for the better version.
Rating: Summary: Could've been better Review: I'd read some good reviews of this movie, but while it was okay, it didn't really impress me. It is admittedly a detailed portrayal of the failed mission to capture the Somalian warlord Aidid by the U.S soldiers, but somehow the presentation didn't move me enough. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the director is Ridley Scott - i had exactly the same feeling about 'Gladiator' - the script had enough scope for making a movie that could really move you, shake you up, create an emotional impact; but the end product didn't quite succeed in doing that. Also, while 19 U.S soldiers died, so did around 1000 Somalians - what of that ? Were all of them 'bad guys' ? The movie almost ignores this aspect of the 'war'. As a war movie, i was much more impressed with 'The thin red line', which really shook me up and brought out the horror of war very clearly - perhaps those who found it 'boring' might prefer this movie. The technical aspect of the movie is expectedly good - with big bucks backing it up, that side of things is automatically taken care of. As for performances, nobody's really got much scope, but people do a decent job of what little they're asked to do. The level of gore is, perhaps necessarily, quite high - so it's not a good idea to let kids watch it, in my opinion. All in all, an okay movie - definitely not a 'must see'.
Rating: Summary: A great film that honors the memory of those who died. Review: Back in October of 1993, the attitude of the American public towards the U.S. armed forces was starting to wane. The euphoria felt during the Gulf War was giving way to feelings that the United States had no business getting involved in the affairs of Third World countries and their ancient, tribal disputes. The morale of our service men and women was deteriorating with massive Clinton Administration downsizing of our forces and the closing of numerous military facilities at home and abroad. By 1992 a famine was taking the lives of thousands of people in the East African country of Somalia (and I use the term "country" loosely). Previous food shipments from humanitarian organizations had been hijacked by warring clans in order to maintain control over the population. The United Nations, led by United States Marines, entered Somalia to help stop the starvation and to bring enough order to the relief efforts so that food distribution was no longer interrupted by the Somali warlords. One warlord in particular, Mohammad Farrah Aidid, was the strongest and his militias posed a constant threat to the fragile order the U.N. brought. After several months of maintaining relative order, the United States started to make plans for long term stability in Somalia and believed that the removal of the warlords was key to doing so. The Marines pulled out and were relieved by Task Force Ranger, made up of units from the 75th Ranger Regiment, and elements of other U.S. Special Forces, including Delta Force. "Black Hawk Down" is based on a series of articles written by Mark Bowden, later brought together into a book of the same same name. It details an operation by Task Force Ranger to capture top lieutenants of Aidid's organization in a bold daylight assault into the middle of the Somali warlord's turf, that was designed to take no more than an hour. When the militia and armed civilians rose up to oppose the action, and two MH-60 "Blackhawk" helicopters were shot down, the soldiers on the ground had to fall back on their training and faith in one another to survive through the next several hours into the night in the middle of a hostile city. When it was over, over a dozen U.S.soldiers were killed, 75 were wounded and over 500 Somalis were killed. "Black Hawk Down" chronicles the events of that day and evening. Through powerful cinematography and judicious use of special effects, director Ridley Scott manages to convey both the desperation and professionalism the Rangers and Delta Force operators displayed in the face of overwhelming odds, and the soldierly affection they had for one another as they lived up to the Ranger creed, "Leave No One Behind." One last comment: I have noticed other reviewers describe the assault to capture Aidid's lieutenants as a failure. This cannot be further from the truth. The primary objective was to round these people up, load them up in the ground convoy and leave the scene. This happened. The Delta Force operators were successful in assaulting the building, the Rangers provided cover and security on the building as the operators did so, and the Aidid's men were loaded into trucks and driven away. It was immediately after this occurred that the plan went awry. Talk to any of the Rangers that were there that day and they will tell you to the man that they believed they accomplished their mission.
Rating: Summary: Black Hawk Down: Greatest War Movie Ever Made! Review: When I saw the movie it was lot more intense then I thought it would be,but it really shows the horrors of war.The mission was only supposed to take an hour but it took all day, and sorrowfully they lost 18 soldiers. I was only three when the real thing happened. This is the best war movie I have ever seen. It's even better than Saving Private Ryan. I can't wait until the DVD comes out.I love you, Ewan Mcgregor.
Rating: Summary: engaging, rarely jingoistic tale of camaraderie Review: a beautifully shot, produced and directed film. fully deserved it's two academy awards.
Rating: Summary: A TRUE EDUCATION Review: I BELIEVE THIS MOVIE SHOUD BE VIEWED AS A TRUE EDUCATION OF THE POTENTIAL OF WARFARE. BLACK HAWK DOWN IN MY OPINION SHOUD NOT BE LOOKED AT AS ENTERTAINMENT. IN ADDITION I BELIEVE EVERY U.S.CITIZEN NEEDS TO SEE THIS FILM.!!!!!!
Rating: Summary: black hawk dawn Review: I thank that this move is the best i have ever seen. wy i gave it 5 stars is because it tells the truth.
Rating: Summary: wont let go... Review: where should i start... have you seen Saving Private Ryan?? Remember the start, the infamous beach scene. The intensity, the emotions it grabs you by the.... and wont let go. Now try to imagine that times 10. and then imagine that for a good 2hours.... ....... this film is a must for any movie goer with an ounce of taste.
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