Today’s quick review: Black Hawk Down. In 1993, the United States sends troops into Somalia to overthrow Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the warlord starving the country. Seizing on an opportunity to capture Aidid’s inner circle, General Garrison (Sam Shepard) orders a daring raid into Mogadishu. But when a Black Hawk helicopter is shot down in a hostile section of the city, Sergeant Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) and his Rangers are sent in to effect a rescue.
Black Hawk Down is a war drama from director Ridley Scott. Black Hawk Down tells the true story of a US helicopter downed in a war zone and the ensuing rescue mission. The movie is a visceral look at a heated battle, following the troops on the ground as they try to manage a situation going from bad to worse. Black Hawk Down’s gripping combat scenes and compelling subject matter make it a worthwhile watch for viewers who can stomach the gore.
Black Hawk Down is notable for the scale of its conflict. What begins as a simple snatch-and-grab mission turns into a protracted urban shootout as the troops sent to the crash site, led by Sergeant Eversmann, take severe enemy fire. The danger, the violence, and the raw chaos of the battle are captured by the film’s flashy special effects and heavy casualty rate. The result is a movie chock full of noisy, messy combat and plenty of close calls.
All of this makes Black Hawk Down a very specific type of war movie: one focused on an entire battle, rather than an individual group of soldiers. The movie does give the spotlight to Eversmann and his men, but there are nearly half a dozen groups of soldiers caught in similar situations, painting a comprehensive picture of the battle. The movie does find the time for some characterization, but the main focus is always on the fighting itself.
Black Hawk Down is an intense watch that will appeal to fans of visceral, non-stop action. The high degree of violence and lack of a strong personal angle will put off some viewers, but the frantic, desperate nature of the battle is something few other war movies can replicate. Those interested in the premise will find what they’re looking for. For another war drama that about a rescue mission gone wrong, try Saving Private Ryan.
7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for sheer gritty spectacle.