Brutal, Hard-Hitting and sincere

Rating: 9/10 (14 April 2002)

Black hawk Down is not for everyone. I have seen practically every great war movie made and this one has to be the most hard hitting and brutal of them all. the war scenes are more realistic and shocking than in any other movie. technically this one is easily the best made along with spielberg's saving private ryan.
apart from the technical brilliance of the movie, the visuals are heart stopping and the brutality of war and the bravery, fear, misgivings, doubts and courage of ordinary men are well highlighted. ridley scott does a terrific job in showcasing the horrors of war especially an ill conceived and attempt as this operation was.
the movie fails in one aspect, namely characterisation. this is the movie's biggest flaw, i could not differentiate one character from another and not one person stood out, despite the laboured first 30 minutes of character building, nobody stands out and it is hard to feel for any character or identify with them either. apart from this, or should i say, despite this, the movie is touching and well made. one of the best crafted war movies ever. stands next only to apocalypse now, thin red line & full metal jacket.
however, i will reiterate that the movie was brutal in its encapsulation of the horrors of war, do not see i unless you are ready for a lot of bloodshed and gory mutilations.
oh! and yes - it was fully deserving of the oscars it won for technical brilliance
a stunning & brutal 9!!