Black Hawk Soars!

Rating: 8/10 (3 August 2005)

Black Hawk down in an amazing film, portraying the bloodshed and tribulation faced by American soldiers in Somalia. The film was as gory as it was real. The story is based around a platoon of soldiers, who went unsuspectingly into War Lord territory to give supplies of food and medication, and to attempt to keep close surveillance on these War Lords. The film changes direction and feeling as soon as it is made quite clear that they are not going to be out by night fall. In fact, they may not even get out alive. Starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGreggor, Eric Bana, and Orlando Bloom this film is both honest and tragic.
The performances were excellent. Acting is an art of being able to display the exact mind frame and mannerism of those who you are portraying. I wouldn't go so far as to say I felt what they felt, but rather that the pain was evident in the actors eyes. I believe this is an amazing ability. No doubt the film was excessively gory, which really cannot be avoided to be honest. Not of my taste, but it is honest which is the most important thing. No one can ever know how terrible war REALLY is, until they have seen it like this. It is so violent, and so disgusting that it changes the way you perceive the military (at least for me). Black Hawk Down brings you back to the reality and suffering of others. It also makes clear the reality of the African situation. The corruption and villainous behavior of African DesPots is made even more real and reminds you of how despicable they really are.
A thrilling film. Not one for a cheer up, but definitely worth seeing from an intellectual point of view. A wonderful film truly worth your time and money.