Neat Film, Lazy Audience

Rating: Null/10 (20 January 2002)

When I read the book this film was based on I sometimes had to take a day or two off before continuing... the imagery, atmosphere, and details were that disturbing to my "civilian" mind. With that experience behind me, the movie was not as harsh/shocking. This allowed me to focus on aspects other than just the "shock" of seeing blood, guts, and body parts in a story.
This is unlike Saving Private Ryan (SVP) where the initial "shocking-brutal-harshness" of the first few minutes hit me like a ton of bricks.
I like this move.
What I can't understand is why so many people whine about the lack of "character development" or "not getting to know enough about this-or-that character" to feel their pain!
When I drive by a serious car accident, I don't know anything about the peoples' lives or characters yet, I "feel" for them and their pain/hassle. Why would this change when I watch a movie about how brave/desperate men fought for their lives? Ever think of using your imagination to fill in the family, friends, etc being left behind by a dying movie character? Humans are generally all the same... how much hand holding do you need to imagine what the soldier on the screen is feeling as he dies?
Oh, and to the "boooh-hooo-hooo... I was a little confused with the "chaos" during various fighting scenes" crowd... Are you kidding?! Perhaps they all should have run around with numbered football jerseys so you could keep track play-by-play (complete with slow-mo and arrows).
When I watch gymnastics or figure skating I watch for the skill with which the contestants move. This is an appreciation of the dynamic nature of controlled action. No story, no character development really needed for my enjoyment and wonder. BHD is an account of a desperate fight between a small but well trained group of people against a large but poorly trained group. Throughout the film you are given an opportunity to get a "SMALL taste" of various moments that occurred during the mission. The actual people, what they say or decide to do is not really all that important.
OK, one last point: If you're going to a movie you know is about intense combat why in the he*l would you complain about being de-sensitized to the RPG's and explosions? What do you think happens during combat?

I think I will buy this one when it comes out on DVD.
Thanks for reading! Black Hawk Down: 8/10