When I first saw the trailer for this picture I thought it a strange topic to film.  War movies are usually about WWII or Vietnam and this small military action has been long forgotten by the public.  Well, thank God this picture was made because the Rangers and pilots involved are DUE their tribute!  Somalia was one of their finest hours!

This is a FABULOUS picture!!! I would put it right up there with Saving Private Ryan.  Unlike Private Ryan, there were no huge names here other than Director Ridley Scott (Alien...1979) who knows his stuff when it comes to putting together an action picture.  He kept the suspense level so high that we were actually afraid that WE were going to get shot!  The block-to-block fighting sequences were some of the best I have seen in ANY war movie.  Another thing I liked was that the individual characters took a back seat to the story and the action as there was no "main" figure that we focused on.  They were ALL heroes as were the actual soldiers and the 19 who gave their lives.

Some of the cast were Josh Hartnett (Pearl Harbor...2001) who was an idealistic youngster, Sam Shepard (The Right Stuff...1983) plays the general in charge of the mission who catches the "heat" when things go sour AND Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan...1998) who is the usual bad-ass that we have come to expect from him.  These guys and the rest of the cast are men that we feel good about cheering for because of the predicament they are placed in and the raw courage they show to survive.

In case you haven't figured out by now, I LIKED THIS PICTURE!  The story, the acting, the directing and the great special effects all came together to make a picture that I hope all Americans see.  With it's high, HIGH intensity and it's "pee in your pants" suspense, it was more of an experience than just a movie.  Those who do choose to experience it will want to kiss a Vet afterwards.

"It's just war."

RECOMMENDATION:  THIS is one of the BEST pictures of 2001 and should not be missed.  I saw it three weeks late and am sorry that I waited.

TWO ALL-AMERICAN, ASS-KICKIN THUMBS UP!!!  (With Silver Stars for all!)

Movie Review © 2002 by Terry Anderson