| Black Hawk Down |
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| Rating: Mixed Distributor: Columbia Pictures Release Date: December 28th, 2001 (limited), January 18th, 2002 (wide) Running Length: 2 hours, 24 minutes MPAA Rating: R Genre: War, Drama Director: Ridley Scott Cast: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Sam Shepard, Eric Bana, William Fichtner and Ron Eldard. |
| Plot: The film is about the 1993 military confrontation between Americans and a town of Somalian warlords. Somalia experienced famine after constant wars, and people were dying because the warlords were taking all the food for themselves. America could not give food to the Somalian people because the warlords would take it away from them. Consequently, the U.S. government ordered a raid to capture aids to a powerful warlord; they wanted to weaken him. However, the men carrying out the mission encountered heavier resistance then they had anticipated. Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, 18 U.S. soldiers died, and 70 were wounded. Additionally, hundreds of Somalians were killed. |
| Critique: Black Hawk Down displays the intensity and violence of battle, but its characters are not developed. The film lacks emotion and human spirit in its story. The film has no depth, and little power; its message is one sided. It focuses on showing graphic visuals, and it is a numbing experience. Black Hawk Down does not show how the war affects its protagonists. Nonetheless, the film is able to deomonstrate the horrible results of combat. It fills the screen with terrible images for over two hours, and it is able to convey the ugliness of of war. Black Hawk Down is technically polished, with stunning visual effects, and terrific cinematography by Slavomir Idziak. Black Hawk Down is directed by Ridley Scott, whose most recent films include Oscar winning Gladiator, and critically disliked Hannibal. Scott has always been strong in creating convincing visuals, and and the intense visuals here are expertly crafted. Yet, Scott's decision to compose his film almost entirely of action scenes was a mistake. The film has little dialogue, and there is no meaningful character interaction. Indeed, it is hard to shake the impersonal feeling that the film exudes. It feels as if there is a wall between the action on screen and the viewer. Thus, it is often hard to relate to the characters. Additionally, the acting is usually strong, however Josh Hartnett's acting is unconvincing. He is weak as the central character in the film, and his shortcomings have a negative effect on the film. Nonetheless, the filmmakers want to bring the spotlight of the film on the action, and not the actors. Black Hawk Down is limited by its impersonal approach. Yet, it has strong visuals, and the violent images that are effective in demonstrating the horrors of battle. The strengths of the film overcome its weakness. I recommend Black Hawk Down, a solid motion picture. review by supernothingman |
| 1/2 |