Black Hawk Down

However, this review isn't about the film itself. Hundreds of people before me have already done that. I am reviewing the DELUXE DVD version, which I must say was well worth the wait.

If you are a fan of any of actors of this film, then the special features will be a major treat. The main members of the cast (approx. 20 actors) - from Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Sam Shepard, Eric Bana and Jason Isaacs to up-and-comers Hugh Dancy, Matthew Marsden and Orlando Bloom get a major boost in this DVD. The 2 1/2 hour "Essence of Combat" documentary alone is worth the price of the dvd. It is packed with fabulous behind-the-scenes features, candid interviews and footage featuring the screenwriter (Ken Nolan), book author (Mark Bowden), director (Ridley Scott), special effects guys, composer (Hans Zimmer), military/technical consultants, cast members and even the actual soldiers who were involved in the mission. There are approx. 9 deleted scenes, most of which were a shame to not have been included in the final film. There are also photo galleries, loads of commentaries and many more!!!

If you are a fan of the film itself or want to know more about the events surrounding the Somalian conflict, there are two excellent TV documentaries from PBS and the History channel that would do just that.

I highly recommend this DELUXE DVD to fans of the film as well as fans of the actors involved. It is a major treat to see your favorite actor go through the week long military training (orientation) at the Ranger/Delta/Pilot facilities, get their haircuts or just talk about their overall experience in the film. Add to that an high quality transfer of this top-notch film and many other special features and you've got one of the best DVDs ever released. Simply superb!

I saw the movie before I read the book and being the adolecent that I was and still am, I based my knowledge of that day off the movie. After reading the book just recently, my feelings toward the movie have changed. Unlike Ridley Scott, Mark Bowden busted his ass going around the world and interviewing everyone who he could find that was there on the ground that day. Bowden also adds at the end of the book that he tried in his best to keep everything in the book as factual as possable, and that the parts in which he can't be for certain, he tried hard in getting as close to the context as he could.

In contrast and compare from the movie to the book, their are alot of things that happen in the movie... that didn't happen in the book which in turn didn't actually happen at all. Being a little more mature now then I was when this movie came out, I feel a little hurt seeing the movie and realizing that it's going to give everyone a misunderstanding of why and what we were there for. For example, Eversmann's chalk four left with the convoy. Chalk four never made it to Wolcott's crash site. Yet in the movie, the camera surrounds Matt Eversmann(Josh Hartnett) through out the whole movie. I don't have disrespect for Eversmann, I just have disrespect that I think the intent was giving Josh Hartnett good PR.

I have more to say but 1000 characters isn't enough. If you want an action film, this movie won't let you down; If you want a better understanding of what happened that day, books are your best option. Three stars.