Gritty, violent, action-packed and "realistic" (**contains a couple of SPOILERS**)

Rating: 10/10 (22 February 2004)

I have seen several negative comments about this movie and felt I had to add some of my own (positive comments, that is). Several folks have said this is a propaganda flick or that the characters weren't all that memorable. I beg to differ: not only do I definitely NOT want to be put anywhere near a situation like these guys had to endure, but I also don't think Ridley Scott intended to make any kind of statement about this being "the right thing to do" or any political statement whatsoever. He set out (and succeeded in my opinion) to show the general populace how brutal armed conflict is and the high price the men of the armed services have to pay for the whims of the 'suits' in Washington.
Getting off my soapbox now, this is an amazing movie. I think "gritty" is the perfect word to describe this movie. It's tense from early on and never lets up. From the fine performances put in by a wide range of actors, to the intense firefights on the dirty urban landscape of rundown Mogadishu, this movie is a potent reminder that "War IS Hell". Although there were many moving and memorable lines and characters, my favorite ones came from Eric Bana playing the character of "Hoot". He says, "You wanna know what I think? I don't think it really matters at all what I think; once that first bullet goes flying by your head, politics goes right out the window." And when he comments on why he does it, "It ain't about being a hero; nobody sets out to be a hero. You do it because of the guy next to you." (I paraphrase some, but the general idea is there.)
***A FEW SPOILERS AHEAD***
So, it may not have been the "just" or even the "right" thing to do, but these guys did it and went through hell to get there. I think it deserves a looksee from anyone who wants a little insight into the kind of stuff that goes on for the sake of "freedom". Watch it for what it is: a gripping story about a bunch of guys doing their jobs and trying to stay alive long enough to get out and continue on with the rest of their lives. Anyone who thinks this film is "propaganda" needs to watch the faces of the actors in this movie, especially near the end. The anguish and loss these guys went through are summed up in the end when they're all standing around panting and crying in exhaustion and frustration and hugging each other as they look at all their injured or dead comrades lying in a row against the wall when they get back to base. They aren't high-fivin' each other or laughing raucously about how many skinnies they killed; they're shaking and puking from the exertion and tension they've been through.....Some are even gearing up to go back into the battle zone because there are still guys left out there...the guys who **were** next to them, but aren't anymore. Watch the documentary/behind-the-scenes extra on the DVD: the real Rangers and Delta Force guys slipped a note under the actors' door in the barracks and told them to tell their story. And they did.