Good realistic battle sequences

Rating: 8/10 (9 October 2003)

Not quite as realistic and soul searching as certain scenes within Saving Private Ryan, but the sheer length and ferocity of the battle scenes within Black Hawk Down make it well worth viewing. In my opinion the lead character Josh Hartnett is slightly lacking in personality and is outshone by Ewan McGregor and Tom Sizemore (both of whom provide an amount of humour within the battle). Not giving any of the plot away here (the film title tells you), but the moment the first Black Hawk is downed is atmospheric and tension drenched, and still sends a shiver down my spine when I watch the film subsequently.
The film does clearly show how horrific war must be, and with surround sound and large screen, you can almost imagine being there on occasions. If the film has a fault, it is the way that the ending seems to peter out to nothing, but otherwise it is well worth the video rental.