One must not miss the true meaning behind this incredible film.

Rating: Null/10 (23 February 2002)

First, I would like to begin my saying that this is truly one of the best movies that I've ever seen, and I feel that it is the duty of every American to be aware of the events that transpired in Somalia in October 1993. After reading some of the other comments posted, I felt obligated to make my opinion known. In no way does this movie glamorize the actions of the Rangers and Delta Force operatives in Somalia. And in no way does it trivialize the deaths of a thousand Somalis. As a society, we feel so compelled to be "politically correct," but that simply cannot work in this movie. Black Hawk Down is shot from the perspective of American soldiers. The book it is based on was a compilation of interviews with American soldiers. How can anyone discredit this movie because it portrays our soldiers in a positive light? I'm sorry, but in this particular battle, the Somali militia were our enemy. And in battle, if the enemy doesn't die, you do. Some of the people who have posted comments bashing our military need to step back and examine their own lives, and where they would be without the military. If one does not agree with the actions of the American military in Somalia, you must direct your anger at the people in Washington who control the military. Contrary to popular belief, most members of the military are good people who are volunteering to protect YOUR country so you don't have to. And they do not decide where they go and what they do. They are given orders. Some say that we need to abolish the military all together. That is ignorant. Anyone who is anti-military has taken absolutely no time to sit down and contemplate what would happen to this country without one. We don't live in a perfect world, and we probably never will. But until we do, the military is vital not only to our prosperity, but to our very existence. It sickens me that, after seeing a movie of this magnitude, people talk about how the characters all looked the same, and the soldiers were portrayed as heroic while the Somalis were "evil," and it was just a revolting display of patriotism. Well, the characters all looked the same because they were all supposed to be soldiers in the US Army. Had Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, and Tom Cruise stolen all the parts, it may had made for a blockbuster, but it would not have had the same effect. These guys looked like soldiers, and they played their parts phenomeonally. No, the Somalis were not evil...they were the enemy. They were portrayed that way in the film because that's who they were in this particular battle. And the American soldiers were portrayed as heroes because THEY WERE. Most people have absolutely no clue of what these men do every day. Most of you probably were not even familiar with these events until you heard about the movie. But these events did take place. And if one pays attention to the movie instead of sitting there, desperately trying to think of things to be angry about, you will realize that the men who fought and died that day are as close to heroes as you can get. Take Randy Shughart and Gary Gordon, for example. These were the two Delta Force snipers who saw the downed second chopper from a helicopter circling overhead, and VOLUNTEERED to go down with limited ammunition and protect any survivors and the chopper as long as possible. For those of you who may not understand, these two men VOLUNTEERED TO DIE protecting a chopper that may or may not have survivors on it. Were they thinking about the Medals of Honor they would be awarded posthumously? No. They were doing their jobs. It's as simple as that. And, as a result, they were killed, mutilated, and dragged naked through the streets of Mogadishu. Who out there who scoffs at the heroics of the men who fought that day would have the courage to make that sacrifice? One reviewer laughed at comments made by a soldier in the movie about fighting for the men next to you. This reviewer has obviously never served in the military, and has no idea of the bonds that develop in war. And he did nothing but prove the soldiers point. "They wouldn't understand...They wouldn't understand that it's about the men next to you. And that's it." I believe some people in this country have a distorted and ignorant view of the military. These soldiers are not ruthless, blood-thirsty killers. They are patriotic heros that are protecting our country. I will forever be grateful for the sacrifices of all those who fought that day in Somalia. Perhaps we shouldn't have been there. Perhaps our actions that day were wrong. But this is not the fault of our soldiers. They were protecting our country...they were doing their jobs. And we all owe them a debt of gratitude. So, if you have not yet seen Black Hawk Down, I highly recommend it. Do not expect a cheesy love story. Do not expect glorified violence. Expect a realistic account of the events of October 3-4, 1993. Put yourselves in the shoes of these young soldiers. This movie will humble you. Would you have the courage to do what they did? Would you give your own life, to save a friend? As one soldier states in the movie, while standing over the lifeless body of his friend, "Nobody asks to be a hero. Sometimes it just works out that way."