Fate of war

Rating: 5/10 (6 April 2014)

Black Hawk Down, based on true events, depicts the world's combat against ruthless leaders that oppress their nations. When fighting overseas, especially on a "peace" mission, it is imperative bloodshed is kept to a minimum. This film portrays well how that is not always the case. War is not a tool for effective problem-solving, nor will it ever be, and this movie outlines the trials soldiers face.
War films don't always capture the true essence of fighting; the lives lost on both frontiers. One impactful and important aspect incorporated into Black Hawk Down is that it emphasizes civilian rights and how common people are the ones taken advantage of. Whether they are innocent bystanders shot in gunfights, starved to death by merciless dictators or have their children abducted from them, they are the ones who ultimately suffer. It is their participation, or lack thereof, that makes this movie as strong as it is.
Although Black Hawk Down demonstrates the scope of war and combat involved, this is rather superficial and lacks any true entertainment value beyond long gunfights and shooting. It fails to develop the true story of the militants and soldiers and exceedingly exaggerates the plot line. It appears to be one-dimensional in this regard. The movie even dismisses the fact prisoners were captured and does not delve into this topic at all. Black Hawk Down is also unsuccessful in realistically illustrating the events and does not properly acknowledge other countries, ulterior motives for the Americans' ill-advised actions, and is fairly propagandized.
War movies depicting real events have to stay true to the story and pay tribute to all involved and the events they actually endured. Black Hawk Down is too theatrical and employs unnecessary (and fabricated) plot to an otherwise memorable day. Nonetheless, war movies are not documentaries displaying true events nor should they be mistaken as one. That's why they are fictional movies and only that. Regardless of the interpretation, Black Hawk Down lacks the solid execution for an originally genuine and good plot, which is why I give it a 4/10.