Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by Ken Nolan and Steven Zaillian (screenplay); Mark Bowden (book)
Cinematography by Slavomir Idziak

Josh Hartnett as Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann Ewan McGregor as Company Clerk John Grimes Tom Sizemore as Lt. Colonel Danny McKnight Eric Bana as Sergeant 1st Class Norm "Hoot" Hooten William Fichtner as Master Sergeant Paul Howe Ewen Bremner as Specialist Shawn Nelson Sam Shepard as Major General William Garrison Gabriel Casseus as Specialist Mike Kurth Kim Coates as Wex Hugh Dancy as Sergeant 1st Class Kurt Schmid Ron Eldard as Chief Warrant Officer Mike Durant Ioan Gruffudd as Beales

Running Time: 144 min.
Release Date: Dec. '01

Overall Call:
There is no doubt that Ridley Scott can put together a compelling visual feast. Hanibal, even with its flaws, I found very watchable. Black Hawk Down has Scott teamed up with Jerry Bruckheimer. The film fits nicely into the Bruckheimer catalog. You know the ones -testosterone laden, ultra violent, what's wrong with American cinema these days films. This one is different in that he worked with the right director and actually has a well-executed film. I don't think you'll walk away with any revelatory explanation of the disaster in Mogadishu. But the time will go by quickly with cinematic style to burn. The acting was, well, it's an action flick not driven by the dialogue. All in all I don't know if it's one of my top ten of the year but I did enjoy the two plus hours I gave up for it.

Reasons For Recommendation:
+ Visual feast
+ Well-executed action flick