A Riveting, violent, yet poetic modern war movie

Rating: 10/10 (19 January 2002)

Black Hawk Down is a brilliant movie. It is breathtaking, smart, a bit funny a times, and very violent. But amidst all the violence is a certain beauty and poetry that Ridley Scott brings to the screen in telling the story. His use of color, light, sound, and falling debris adds to the artistic value. He makes the act of war almost ritualistic and shows the brotherhood of all the soldiers. It is a tribute to all the men and women who serve our country and it makes us all aware of what goes on during battle--the harsh reality of war. It makes you think about why should we be fighting another country's civil war. What does it mean to be a hero? This is especially relevant in our world post 9/11. As Josh Hartnett says in the movie, "No one ever asks to be a hero. Sometimes it just turns out that way." What a tribute this movie is to all our heros. Those that died on 9/11 and those that are fighting the war against terrorism.