Black Hawk Down [Blu-ray]

From acclaimed director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Hannibal) and renowned producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon) comes a gripping true story about bravery, camaradarie and the complex reality of war. Black Hawk Down stars an exceptional cast including Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor), Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge!), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan), Eric Bana (Chopper), William Fichtner (The Perfect Storm), Ewen Bremner (Snatch) and Sam Shepard (All The Pretty Horses). In 1993, an elite group of American Rangers and Delta Force soldiers are sent to Somalia on a critical mission to capture a violent warlord whose corrupt regime has lead to the starvation of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. When the mission goes terribly wrong, the men find themselves outnumbered and literally fighting for their lives.

Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down conveys the raw, chaotic urgency of ground-force battle in a worst-case scenario. With exacting detail, the film re-creates the American siege of the Somalian city of Mogadishu in October 1993, when a 45-minute mission turned into a 16-hour ordeal of bloody urban warfare. Helicopter-borne U.S. Rangers were assigned to capture key lieutenants of Somali warlord Muhammad Farrah Aidid, but when two Black Hawk choppers were felled by rocket-propelled grenades, the U.S. soldiers were forced to fend for themselves in the battle-torn streets of Mogadishu, attacked from all sides by armed Aidid supporters. Based on author Mark Bowden's bestselling account of the battle, Scott's riveting, action-packed film follows a sharp ensemble cast in some of the most authentic battle sequences ever filmed. The loss of 18 soldiers turned American opinion against further involvement in Somalia, but Black Hawk Down makes it clear that the men involved were undeniably heroic. --Jeff Shannon

Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down conveys the raw, chaotic urgency of ground-force battle in a worst-case scenario. With exacting detail, the film re-creates the American siege of the Somalian city of Mogadishu in October 1993, when a 45-minute mission turned into a 16-hour ordeal of bloody urban warfare. Helicopter-borne U.S. Rangers were assigned to capture key lieutenants of Somali warlord Muhammad Farrah Aidid, but when two Black Hawk choppers were felled by rocket-propelled grenades, the U.S. soldiers were forced to fend for themselves in the battle-torn streets of Mogadishu, attacked from all sides by armed Aidid supporters. Based on author Mark Bowden's bestselling account of the battle, Scott's riveting, action-packed film follows a sharp ensemble cast in some of the most authentic battle sequences ever filmed. The loss of 18 soldiers turned American opinion against further involvement in Somalia, but Black Hawk Down makes it clear that the men involved were undeniably heroic. --Jeff Shannon

This is an action packed movie based on real events. If you get weak at the sight of blood this is not your film. With that said, it is important American history to remember. This movie is a fairly accurate film as it shows the strengths and flaws of both sides... and the integrity of the United States military to leave no one behind. For those into war films, as I am, this is one you want to add to your collection. To those into history, as I am, this is worth viewing so we don't forget what took place.

For years, I've been encouraged to watch the movie "Black Hawk Down", because of my interest in Machiavellian "realpolitics." Essentially, the debacle of the mission was highlighted as representative of failed communications. It was seen as one more example of Washington getting it all wrong in military logistics. But, the overriding mesage is that the mission is covert and Washington isn't supposed to know about it. If the President or leading congressmen were questioned, they would naturally deny, deny, deny... One naturally sides with the courage and bravery of the soldiers who fight for a higher calling. But, based on the reality of the world, today's enemies are tomorrow's friends. This isn't suggested in the movie, but it isn't far fetched in our analysis. Yes, the movie essentially portrays what is supposed to be a historical fact, but two weeks after viewing, you are left to ask, "Now, why were we trying to kill this guy in Somalia"? You scratch your head in wonder, but remember the intense emotions of the firefights. "Black Hawk Down" is a movie you only watch once. Not for its greatness, but to say you saw it. Edward Brown Core Edge Image & Charisma Institute www.core-edge.com

It's all in the title. Can't say enough about this great movie. Get the Blu-ray version if you have 1080p.

I have about twenty blu-ray titles now and I have to say that this particular transfer has got to be the best that I've seen. Super clear, super sharp. You can see the specks of individual dust particles in the streets, the pores in the character's faces, beads of sweat on skin before it gets big enough to role down... It was like I was looking through a 46-inch window into a live action scene! The quality of the transfer from film to blu-ray in this movie will show you the power of 1080p in all it's stunning glory and make you a believer. And oh, the movie isn't too bad either... ;)

I absolutely love this movie and the special features. It is action packed so there is never a lull, and it pulls on your heart-strings. It is a true story and for once, a movie actually got close to the truth. For some who were actually in Somalia serving our country, this movie may be a little hard to watch, my ex boyfriend could never watch this film because it was too realistic and brought back too many memories. But because it is realistic it is a great movie. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes true stories, drama, and war movies.