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It's no "We Were Soldiers," but it is a fair combat film, which a variety of special interest groups tried to politicize. Yes, there the requisite gunships, Rangers, and flag-waving included in this vehicle. To be objective the film probably skimmed over the role of the Malaysians and Pakistani forces who were also engaged. However, it amazes me that with all the bravado of the cast, and the grit in the book of the same title by Mark Bowden, that the sacrifice of two Special Forces Operators, Master Sergeant Gary Gordon and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart, who were posthumously awarded Medals of Honor for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in the Battle of Mogadishu were largely overlooked. See it for the devotion and camaraderie characteristic amongst the profession of arms.
Action/war drama based on the best-selling book detailing a near-disastrous mission in Somalia on October 3, 1993 where nearly 100 U.S. Army Rangers, commanded by Capt. Mike Steele, were dropped by helicopter deep into the capital city of Mogadishu to capture two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord which lead to a large and drawn-out firefight between the Rangers and hundreds of Somali gunmen which led to the destruction of two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters in Mogadishu, and the heroic efforts by various Rangers to get to them, centering on Sgt. Eversmann, commanding one Ranger unit named Chalk Four, leading Rangers to the first black hawk crash site, to Warrant Officer Durant who was only survivor of the second black hawk crash site and whom was captured, to Col. McKnight who leads a rescue convoy for the Rangers only to get lost within the hostile city, to Sgt. Sanderson desperately trying to get to the first crash site, to Staff Sgt. Yurek who leads two fellow Rangers, Nelson and Twombly to meet with up their squad, Chalk Four, at the first crash site, to many others involved who where either killed or survived.Read full review
Overpoweringly gritty and incredibly informative. Acting was superb and the entire movie was nothing short of riveting!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
On October 3, 1993, Army Rangers and members of the elite Delta Force participated in a covert operation in Mogadishu, Somalia that went horribly wrong. Sent to abduct two lieutenants of a vicious Somali warlord, the soldiers found themselves surrounded by hostile militia. Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down and many men lost their lives. Filmmaker Ridley Scott (GLADIATOR) and screenwriter Ken Nolan have done an amazing job of bringing the dramatic story to the screen. Like Mark Bowden's book, the film does not thoroughly examine the context of the conflict, but gives a detailed and intense blow-by-blow account of the fighting. The outstanding ensemble cast includes Josh Hartnett as a competent but nervous Ranger sergeant leading his first mission, Ewan McGregor as a "desk jockey" who excels when sent into combat, Eric Bana as a cocky and enigmatic Delta, and Ron Eldard as a downed Black Hawk pilot. The violence of the film is brutal and nearly constant. Scott unflinchingly captures the chaos and mayhem of battle with tremendous visual finesse. If your a fan of RAW military conflict with extreme tension this is up your alley. If blood and guts are not your thing, you may want to pass on this film.Read full review
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 hs lead to the starvation of hundreds of thousands of Somalis. When the mission goes quickly wrong, when a young soldier is injuried, the men find themselves outnumbered and fighting for their lives. A lucky shot takes down one of the Black Hawk Helicopters that is to pick them up, and another is lost in support of the men. The activity draws the attention of the warlord-who mobilizes what seems to be the whole city to fight the American forces. Many great scenes in this movie, including a mini- gun attack by American helicopters that very realistic. Good ideas of the types of firepower weapons from both American forces and Soviet supplied (to the Somolis) are capable of. Director Ridley Scott has an impressive list of movies and has made more after this one (Body of Lies, Kingdom of Heaven, G.I. Jane, Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, etc). This movie will certainly appeal to war movie lovers and students of military strategy, as well as action and adventure devotees. Great for a nights entertainment if you like those types of movies.Read full review
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