Visceral reality

Rating: 9/10 (11 April 2006)

After reading the NY times review (which slammed it for not being emotional enough and 'racist'), I need to mention that this film is probably the most realistic and honest war film ever made.
Other works like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket and Saving Private Ryan all have a 3rd context, whether its the man vs man, man vs himself or man vs. barbarity as seen in the conflict between Sgt.Barnes and Elias in Platoon. But Black Hawk Down offers none of these and does not dwell on a 'higher meaning', which is this film's greatest strengths.
As one of the Delta characters, Hoot says "once the bullets go flying past your head, all the politics and all that sh-t goes right out the window" This film captures the raw, visceral intensity of a group of men trying to stay alive in a hostile city. There is no emotional or philosophical wondering, only a fast paced, gut wrenching fight for one's own life. Ridley Scott masterfully puts the viewer into the combat boots of US Rangers and uses color and scenery to add the depth and character to this situation. Reality and accuracy dominate over philosophy or politics in this film. All your philosophy and all your conflicting emotions go right out the window when a heavily armed mob starts shooting at you.