Mogadishu Firefight

Rating: Null/10 (11 April 2004)

Mogadishu Firefight `Black Hawk Down', directed by Ridley Scott, is based on an actual event. The movie starts out in Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993, where it gives some background information about how the Untied States intervened to help stop the starvation caused by warfare among rival clans. The most powerful of the clans was the Habr Gidr, led by Muhammad Farrah Aidid. General Garrison (Sam Shepard) found out that there was going to be a meeting between Aidid's two top political advisors on the day of October 3, 1993. A force of about 120 men was assembled, made up of Special Forces, and went out to capture some of Aidid's advisors. However, things began to wrong after Todd Blackburn (Orlando Bloom) fell from a chopper. Later on, two choppers were shot down by RPGs. This lead to an intense firefight (biggest one since Vietnam) and some brave Americans died. The men there on that day were extremely dedicated to each other and they would not `leave no man behind.'
The movie's central idea is to show that war is hell. Ridley Scott (director) does not give the viewer the `fun and games' view of war in this movie and he defiantly does not glorify it. Once the movie gets going, it does not slow down. There is so much RPG, machine gun, and rifle fire around the whole time. The viewer is almost seized into the battle itself. The utter intensity and graphic violence is unbelievable. Mr. Scott wants the viewers to realize that war is a complete hell. He also shows us the good characteristics that come of it though (i.e., the gallantry, bravery, loyalty, and dedication).

(MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A SPOILER HERE)
The feel a person receives from watching this movie is incredible, mainly because this movie is true for the most part. One powerful and emotional scene is when Corporal Smith (Charlie Hofheimer) was shot in the leg and the bullet struck his femoral artery. When Sergeant Eversmann (Josh Hartnett) and Captain Steele (Jason Issacs) call for a medivac, the people in charge decline, because it's too risky. The viewer can see the saddened, yet angered look in their eyes, and can feel sorry for Cpl. Smith, as he lay dying. Once again, Scott shows the horrible tragedies of war, as well as, the human emotions (i.e., gallantry, sadness, bravery) during war.