"Black Hawk Down" starts out fast, dropping right into the action. From there the visuals and plot become more rapid fire and hard hitting. By mid-movie it stops dragging and picks up the pace. Then in the last third the action kicks in.
Here we have an unflinching portrayal of a 1993 urban battle in Somalia that was a major turning point in international involvement in the civil war and humanitarian crisis there. We follow a group of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operators on a mission in Mogadishu that quickly turns into a brutal fight for survival.
The film's portrayal of the battle is remarkably authentic and technically accurate, thanks to extensive research and firsthand accounts from survivors. To Ridley Scott's credit, in spite of the technical detail, the action is not hard to follow. The intensity and chaos of the fighting are vividly captured. It also manages to develop compelling characters. The audience becomes invested in the soldiers' fates.
The cinematography is gritty and realistic, capturing the harsh environment of Mogadishu and the brutal nature of the fighting. The sound design is extremely good as well, making "Back Hawk Down" thoroughly immersive from beginning to end.
Ridley Scott has been said to be hit and miss. This one is a hit.
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