Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down

            Black Hawk Down is told as a plot driven movie in the book. I personally disagree with the author. This movie in particular has a theme of brotherhood to me. The story of Rangers in Somalia in the 90’s is told. There is a lot of action, gore, and violence. The characters in the story interact with each other and sacrifice all. It is especially important to realize that it is based on a true story. I am not sure if anyone who hasn’t served in some capacity could fully feel the effect of the film. But, all people who see it are able to be entertained.

          The director and producer are trying to tell the story. In true Scott and Bruckheimer style, there is action a-plenty with powerful character interactions as well. They utilize the atmosphere of Africa and the plight of the Somalians to start the film. This shows the audience how civil war has impacted the region and the reason for UN forces to be present. With this to start the drive of the plot, we learn and know early on that the Americans are going to be fighting it out with the militia.

          When we meet the Rangers, the movie starts to show us the brotherhood aspect. We see joking, serious talk, and other displays of friendship. The director utilizes these interactions between the Rangers to display how they are not only a unit, but friends. Throughout the movie, we see displays of the Rangers and Delta team soldiers helping each other out. There is plenty of shooting and covering of each other, but displays of caring and affection as well. The creators of the movie utilized the plot of the war to show us that the people involved were more than just looking out for themselves.

          A few points in the movie stood out to display the brotherhood theme. In the end, one of the Delta team members brings a cup of tea to a Ranger. Often times you see the soldiers stopping in shock in a comrade being shot. They run out and save each other while getting shot in the process. Two of the Delta team members go to the second crash site on what they know is a suicide mission.

          To me Black Hawk Down is ranked very high in recent war movies. I have not been impressed by the releases of such films as: Stop Loss or The Hurt Locker. I found them to be too unrealistic and only driven by the plot of action or post traumatic stressed soldiers. To me, Black Hawk Down gives our fighting men and women a good respectful name. The director and producer did an exemplary job telling the story of the soldiers in Somalia while maintaining the audience’s attention. This is one of those movies that I get choked-up more than once.