Incredible film, incredible anti-war message.

Rating: 10/10 (21 January 2002)

Before even leaving the theater after seeing Black Hawk down, I found myself nearly crying at what I had seen. Never before, not Saving Private Ryan, not any other film, had I seen such a powerful anti-war message. The constant fighting, the confusion, and the sense of hopelessness helped create an atmosphere in the movie than plainly spelled out not only how horrible war is, but it also raised questions about the American use of military power on the international stage.
War movies in the past have been about distant times, ones we are far detached from. Black Hawk Down was about an event that occurred eight years ago, but it just as well could have been today, in Afghanistan.
This film was not a shoot-em-up, nor did it depict any glory in war. It was not a patriotic, go America film. It was about a government, placing its boys in danger's way for the sake of politics. The only good thing happening in the film is how these 18-22 year old boys respond to the chaotic world around them. They fight with all they can muster, they follow the orders given to them, and they die for the guy next to them. Their bravery, courage and dedication show what normal people can do when placed in extraordinary situations, not what a great country America is. I'm honestly surprised they released this so close to Sept. 11 because it raises a lot of questions about America's role on the world political stage.

The emotional impact on me of this film is difficult to describe. As a 19 year old college student, all I could think about was myself in the shoes of the actors in this movie. I could not see myself handle something like this, but if America did go to war, I would be faced with this reality. It is scary, each man getting shot could very well have been me, or even worse, my close friends.
Most of the audience in the theater were college students as well, and I have a feeling that they were all significantly impacted by this film as well because the theater was dead silent upon the completion of the film. One of my good friends was utterly speechless and could only mutter, "Why do we have war?" Parents of young adults, imagine your sons being shipped across the world to face the hell of war depicted here.

I can not think of any way to make a stronger anti-war message. We are living this, these people could be us or the ones we love. What is the good of war?
Other users on this site have commented that the movie is less of a film because the characters aren't developed. I'm willing to offer that it does not matter what the names of the characters are or where they're from. These soldiers could well have been anyone who has served in the military, or who could be drafted into the military. Each of them could have been me, my best friend, or your son. Imagine your 22 year old son in the place of Josh Hartnet's character, would he have felt that way about each man under his command, would he have made the right decisions to save his men?
Others have also mentioned that the film is not entertaining enough because it is constant shooting. One, this film is not meant to be entertaining, it is to hit each viewer with a square punch of what is going on in the world, and two, that's what war is, there is no bathroom break, no timeouts. These soldiers faced 18 straight hours of pure hell, knowing that each second they could die. The purpose of the constant combat is to help ram the message home of just how horrible war is.
The comedic relief is also a big plus in this film because it helps show that the men fighting are still human when facing the most inhuman of conditions. It would be all to easy to forget that the men fighting are real people, but by cracking a few jokes, we are able to continue immersing ourselves in the horrors that they are facing.
This film was an absolutely incredible experience. I am willing to offer that anyone who did not go home and hug their parents, spouses, friends, or grandparents after seeing this film really needs to get in tune with the realities of the modern world. The soldiers in Black Hawk Down showed what has made America the great collection of people it is, normal guys fighting for and giving their lives for the good of their nation and for their comrades fighting alongside them. If only it didn't take a war to get people to exhibit these qualities in day to day life. Take the message of this film to heart and go out and live every day to the fullest, because the men of the American armed forces have died to give you that ability.