Black Hawk Down (2 Disc Set) [2002] [DVD]

As everybody now knows, Black Hawk Down is the true story of the Battle of Mogadishu, which took place in October 1993, when an American elite force carried out their mission (to abduct two lieutenants of the notorious Somalian warlord Mohammad Aidid) and ended up in the longest post Vietnam land battle involving American soldiers. During this ferocious gun battle 18 American soldiers were killed and 73 injured, whilst over 500 Somali gunmen also lost their lives.

Ridley Scott, hot off the heels of Gladiator, pulls no punches in his direction of this tragic fiasco, as he provides us with 135 minutes of ear shattering, stomach-churning, war is hell, all out action. There to the story is that American troops are on a peace-keeping mission trying to support the supply of food to the people of Somalia, who are being starved as a result of the local warlords commandeering all the Red Cross relief efforts. However, as is usually the case, their efforts are compromised by politics and they have to watch on helplessly as the Somalian guerrillas turn their guns own their own starving people. As a result, a plan is formulated by the army to enter the hostile capital of Mogidishu in broad daylight to abduct two of Mohammad Aidid's most senior aides. However, even before the mission can begin, the plan is hamstrung by Washington politicians who limit the mission's aerial support and firepower. And so the mission begins with the Delta Force and Rangers but everything starts to unravel when one of the helicopters involved in the mission, the said Black Hawk of the title, gets shot down in the middle of the city and the whole mission begins to tragically unravel.

Ridley Scott and Jerry Bruckheimer have provided a 135 minute deafening assault on the senses. The cinematography by Slawomir Idziak is impeccable and in a strange way aesthetically pleasing and the cast, led by Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana (The Hulk) and Ewan McGregor, is perhaps implausibly good looking and McGregor's first attempt at an American accent is not altogether consistent or convincing. However, the aesthetic appeal of three of Hollywood's hottest young stars is balanced by the chunky Tom Sizemore and the so ugly (only a mother could love that face) Ewen Bremner of Trainspotting fame, who actually provides a stand out supporting performance and an American accent which impressively belies his Scottish roots. Also particularly impressive in another supporting performance is Jason Isaacs (Event Horizon, The Patriot) as Captain Mike Steele.

One of the most refreshing but also most frustrating things about Black Hawk Down is its lack of political context. There is no explanation as to whose decision it was to limit the mission and no finger pointing at those that inevitably made the decision to pull out of Somalia. There is also very little background character development about any of the soldiers with perhaps the exception of Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Josh Hartnett), who is presented as being somewhat pragmatic and anti-war. The movie does not follow the traditional formula of war movies that focuses upon ordinary men overcoming great odds through glorious sacrifice to triumph with flag-waving patriotism. Instead it focuses upon professional soldiers drawn together by a common aim to stay alive, free of the usual moral justifications of being a soldier in the first instance. It is neither anti-war, nor anti-army. It is about comradeship through necessity, kill or be killed and in Black Hawk Down there is plenty of both. Or as Eric Bana's character puts it "It's about the man next to you; that's all there is." Ultimately, whether you enjoy Black Hawk Down or not will depend on whether you like war movies and whether or not you like them to be gritty and realistic. Four stars ****

If you're looking for a TRUE battle film then BHD is amongst the best! This film gives an account of one battle in Mogadishu, Somalia...if you're looking for more then you will be disappointed. It is extremely well made, with good soundtrack and fantastic cinematography. I enjoyed it immenseley.

Where does one begin to praise this film's strengths???

Firstly, the action is exciting, and brutally realistic. It employs computer technology to increase the intensity and realism, not to make it look spectacular and over-the-top (Pearl Harbor, anyone?). Also, the soldiers and their personalities are well displayed. It shows them as not being invincible, but being human, and prone to fear, and making mistakes. Check out the 'snafu' cut-scene.

Also, despite those claiming it is only partly accurate, I think it is almost totally accurate. That is, apart from the composite characters shown in the film. Some may complain that it shows too little of the Somali side of things, and the events that caused the hatred of the Somalis. Also, that it doesn't pay enough attention to Mike Durant's ordeal. My answer is that the film-makers are only interested in the single day of the battle. The other stuff is filled in by the text at the beginning and end of the film.

Then, of course, there is the military side of things. Always interesting to observe and learn about. And the Black Hawk is such an impressive machine. Those miniguns are awesome to behold. Terrible in their devastation, but awesome nonetheless. Also, the little birds are such brilliant machines for their versatility and the aerial photography is impressive as well.

Then there are elements like the score. It is very innovative and very different from other Hans Zimmer scores, but this film deserved something special and unique. Shows once again Zimmer's awesome talent. Also the song Gortoz A'ran J'Attends which is sung at the end provides a real emotional side to the picture, and makes the film that much more touching. I like to be moved by a film, and this one does just that.

And of course, on a 3-disc set there's plenty of goodies to keep you out of mischief. The best of these is the History Channel documentary 'The True Story of Black Hawk Down.'

All in all, jolly good stuff, and you get a whole lot for your money. An essential for your DVD collection.