War, what a word that has so much power, it gives you a thrill in the spine, if you know what war is all about and why war exists. When life is claimed good...its perfect, especially when not going to bombard a country...not being at war must most definitely be the shift and sway of cool air on a veranda.

Black Hawk Down, what a fantastic movie, it had everything that needed to be seen in there...all the actors were extraordinary and the way they could express the fear of dying, especially if they know that they have a wife and a young child waiting at home with terrifying thoughts and the thought of my lover, even my brother going to war leaves me fear-stricken!

The question that I think boggles everyone's mind is how do you fight, when there are woman and children placed between the enemy?? As far as I know, attacks are not to be launched if there are woman and children in-between...The movie that was based on the war in Somalia aligned VERY closely to what really happened. The action, the facts...complemented each other. The special effects was well handled and the director, producers, writers and editors did a hell of a job. Seeing your best friend or even a co-worker die in of you, and some of those men didn't even have the chance to lift their gun and went straight to the ground, that must be soul wrecking.

War movies has always been loved by me, because it brings people back to reality of what happened or what will happened or what could happened. It is good that there are war movies that is based on reality, most people know war is bad and people die. In this movie, Black Hawk Down, it showed people died, but aswell the negative effects on those who survived the war...

After that movie, I could only think of those soldiers that gave everything to save their 'friends' lives including their own, but more to those who have died in the war in Somalia, Africa.

- by Skyla

I'm not really into war movies. Nor am I that interested in the military, or war in general. That is, until I saw Black Hawk Down. Now, I am writing a story based on the military and I spend some of my time on the internet, checking out BHD websites, and talking to people who were really there in forums.
I think this movie touched people of all ages. I am 15 and when I went to see it there were all ages of people from 13-60. Some may say that the movie concentrated too much on the war and not enough on the people. Thing is, isn't that why they made the movie? To tell the story of what happened in Somalia? The action scenes were awesome and very realistic. It almost made me feel like I was right there in the movie. The actors did a wonderful job portraying their characters. Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, Ron Eldard and many others did a terrific job.
The music also played a big part in this movie. Hans Zimmer amazes me with his music. His work in Pearl Harbor also has a small part in my heart. When you listen to the music by Hans Zimmer from BHD, you can't help but feel bad for all those men.
I was so focused on the movie at one point that I didn't even notice a girl in front of me stand up. Some parts leave you breathless.
As I left the theatre, my legs were shaky. Maybe it was because I was sitting for 2 and a half hours, but honestly my heart went out to all those people in the movie. It didn't seem like 2.5 hours. I now have a new perspective on the army and what they deal with. Some of the lines were really powerful too.
Over-all this movie is great and I recommend it to everyone. But please, don't see it just because of Josh Hartnett. Yes, he is very hot, but its not the right reason. The movie is very powerful and is great Josh Hartnett, or no Josh Hartnett. One of the best movies I’ve ever seen. My prayers go out to all the 18 soldeirs and their families, also the thousands of Somilians that died that day.

That's my review. Hope you enjoyed it.
Later, Heather
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Sarah Winter
screen magazine, Victoria.
Review:
Black Hawk Down
****

I am most definitely not a war-film person. As far as films go, I have always believed that these films will never accurately portray war.
As far as they go, black hawk down came pretty close to the real thing. I can tell, because it scared me.
Unlike some of the terrible war films we've had over the last year (prime example: pearl harbour), black hawk down was not caught up in nothing but the heroism of patriotic Americans. Instead, we saw what was surely the best war film for quite a while.
Ridley Scott is anything but afraid. Moments which some lesser directors would have turned into complete sentimental mush, Scott is still forcing the gore on us. Scenes that could have been sappy were real because the guy was still bleeding, and the audience was feeling a bit queasy.
I felt very afraid. I thought later on about how I would feel if I was really there, and suddenly I feel a hell of a lot more proud of our aussies fighting for our country.
Speaking of which, I was bursting with pride just to have come from the same nation as Eric bana. What a performance! He is just further proof of how Australian actors really are some of the best. Unfortunately and fortunately at the same time, bana's southern accent was so realistic that citizens of the US thought he was American. Unfortunate, of course, because it shows that he has not been in enough film to gain higher recognition on an international scale.
I will look forward to anymore films he has taken on.
Josh Hartnett has proved to me that he can play a meaningful role in a realistic war film. I am happy that he is gaining further recognition as a more mature actor.
Also to be acclaimed was Englishman Orlando bloom, who did an extremely good job at playing the embarrassing soldier who broke his back before he even touched the ground. So convincing, perhaps, because it is said he has broken his back in real life. An extremely good thing for movie watchers everywhere that he recovered.
All in all, a film worth seeing, if just to get a clearer look at how good war films can be if they tried.
And, in my opinion, a very good thing: for the most part, I was sick in my stomach because of the superb special effects make-up rather than horrible grand American moments in which they look bravely across the camera and spurt mushy sap like "my god, there goes one of the finest Americans I have ever seen. What a hero".
To finish, dear reader, I will give you a wise quote from Plato shown at the start of the film: "only the dead see the end of war." Damn straight.
War films can try, but deep down, we all know they're just movies.

Black Hawk Down was an all around amazing movie. I have seen all of Josh's movies to date and I was deeply impressed by this one.
Black Hawk Down tells the story of the October mission in Somalio also known as the Black Sea Mission. It tells the true story of the soldiers that were involved in the mission and how it takes a tradgic turn.
Black Hawk Down is wonderfully filmed and acted. You really feel like you are actually there. Josh is awseome but so are some of the other actors like Orlando Bloom and the guy that played "Red" in Pearl Harbor.
Black Hawk Down is very violent, gory, and tremendously sad. It definatley isn't the "Here On Earth" type. All the same it is still a wonderful movie with very few flaws. I have seen the movie four times with my friends, and my Dad. I also read the book witch I found was a very good help and an insight to the story.
I would reccomend Black Hawk Down to not all Josh fans, but to Josh fans and their parents over the age of 15. Overall grade: A

- Abby/15/California