Big budget, small script.

Rating: 6/10 (20 January 2002)

A good war movie can be one of the most moving and involving experiences of a movie lovers life. Nothing can quite encapsulate a male's need for violence, patriotism and comradery as a good 2 hours of explosions and war induced brotherhood.
Black Hawk Down unfortunately is NOT one of these movies. What, in the the first 20 minutes, starts as a promising illustration of western might and morality overcoming an evil third world dictatorship, turns into two and a half hours of unengaging battle and bland characters.
None of the large and talented cast are given enough screen time to truly shine (and even though I am a huge Ewen McGregor fan, his accent was laughable). It is this lack of individual screen time that leaves the audience feeling detached from the actors and ultimately not caring what happens to them.
The film is not without its touching scenes however, and the direction is so fast paced that you are left no time to be bored. Overall an alright movie that could have been SO much more. Do yourself a favor, read the book instead.