a powerful, breathtaking war drama

Rating: Null/10 (26 August 2002)

From director Ridley Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes this pulse-pounding story of bravery, camaraderie, and the harsh reality of war. The film chronicles an elite team of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force soldiers who are sent into Somalia in October 1993 on a routine mission to capture a violent warlord responsible for the mass genocide of his country's citizens. When the mission goes awry, they soon find themselves fighting not only to complete the task at hand, but to save their very own lives as well. Based on an actual event, this volatile, supercharged, highly emotional saga authentically captures the fear, chaos, and genuine heroism prevalent in the world of modern warfare. Good performances all around and Scott's gritty, uncompromising direction make this like watching a contemporary version of Saving Private Ryan; a knockout! ****