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Black Hawk Down is a 2001 American war film directed by Ridley Scott, based on the 1999 book of the same name by Mark Bowden. The movie follows the efforts of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force soldiers, who were dispatched to Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1993 to capture the top lieutenants of the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. However, despite meticulous planning, the mission quickly goes awry, and the U.S. soldiers are surrounded and ambushed by Somali militiamen.

The plot begins with an overview of the political and social turmoil in Somalia at the time, as Aidid and other warlords battled for control of the country. The U.S. government, concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Somalia, authorized the deployment of troops as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The movie then follows the soldiers, who are led by Major General William F. Garrison (played by Sam Shepard), as they navigate the chaotic streets of Mogadishu and attempt to carry out their mission.

The main character of the movie is Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann (played by Josh Hartnett), who is a newly appointed leader with the task of leading a group of soldiers on a dangerous mission. Other notable characters include Sergeant First Class Jeff Sanderson (played by William Fichtner), who serves as Eversmann's mentor, and Sergeant First Class Norm "Hoot" Gibson (played by Eric Bana), who leads a group of soldiers on a rescue mission after two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters are shot down.

The movie is known for its intense and realistic depictions of combat, as well as its focus on the experiences of individual soldiers. The scenes of gunfire, explosions, and injuries are particularly graphically depicted, and the movie does not shy away from portraying the harsh realities of war.

In addition to its action sequences, the movie also explores the psychological and emotional toll of combat on the soldiers. The characters struggle with fear, frustration, and grief as they face the overwhelming odds of their situation. The movie also touches on themes of leadership, loyalty, and sacrifice, as the soldiers are forced to make difficult decisions and risk their own lives to save their comrades.

The cinematography is also praised for its grittiness and attention to detail, with the movie filmed in a documentary-style format that adds to the sense of realism. The soundtrack, which includes music by Hans Zimmer and Denez Prigent, also contributes to the movie’s emotional impact, heightening the tension and drama of the action scenes.

Overall, Black Hawk Down is a gripping and harrowing movie that depicts the horrors of war and the bravery and resilience of the soldiers who fight in it. Its focus on the experiences of individual soldiers and its unflinching portrayal of combat have made it a classic of the war movie genre.

Black Hawk Down is a 2001 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 74.