AN explanation

Rating: Null/10 (5 September 2002)

Not at all surprised to see negative reviews of BHD. Most of the world is still bitter that America controls the movie industry and are simply venting their frustration at having to watch another American war film. For that same reason I had no desire to view the film either. But then I did, and no rational viewer looking at this film independantly can say its not a well done movie. Sure the large number of war films released in the last decade takes away from its impact but it also makes the fact that it was original and unique even more of a surprise. Let me respond to some of the negative reviewers points
Its characters are not realistic = Funny, if you read the book or the original series of newspaper articles that are online. You will find that most of the scenes in the movie occured. I am not just talking about battle scenes but the conversations between soldiers. Its HARD to find a scene in the movie that you cant find in the book. I would love to go scene by scene and point them out but space does not permit. But take whatever scene you thought was far fetched and then read the book odds are its there. Most of the characters are compilations of many real life soldiers but without an 8 hour movie and 50 characters they had to be.
Its too American= Well thats just the way its goes isn't it. Once the somalies come to dominate the world wide media industry then they can tell their side of the story. People want the both sides of every war story but then want book like character development at the same time. It cant be done in a movie with 120 contributors. From the eyewitness accounts of the battle its safe to say that the movie is accurate in portraying what the ground forces there saw. Somali soldiers in there own words tell of hoards of people attacking the Americans in waves. From every location possible. Women with babies in one arm and gun in the other running right up to hum vs and firing shots only to be mown down. Waves of people running straight into death such as in the chopper scene. Its true. Just because its outside of some guy in sweden's comprehension does not mean it didnt happen. The book outlines many more scenes that were to gruesome for the movie.

Its not a good war movie= Some posters claim that there are dozens of movies better than this one. Name them! Keeping in mind that this movie accomplished so much by foccusing on ONE battle. It did not have the luxury of examining the entire politcal and moral landscape of a war like the Vietnam movies were afforded. Nor did it have the implication of world history such as WW1, WW2 or civil war films. It was the simple story of men who fought and lost their lives fighting for an outcome that in the end accomplished very little. Thats what makes it so compelling. To see what those men were living through while we sat at home and watched our evening news. I wont ever forget this movie because it made me feel like I was there. Can't say that about too many.
All that is required to enjoy this film is too put yourself in those soldiers shoes. If you cant do that for whatever reason then you wont feel any of the emotions that those of us who can--- felt watching the show. IF Harry Potter is your idea of a great movie you may want to skip this one.