|
Blackhawk Down focuses on the story of a group of young American soldiers in Somalia in 1993. They are sent on an “easy mission, to capture dignitaries of the Somalia militia”, assured the entire job won’t take more than an hour, then find themselves in a 37 hour firefight. Every performance in this film is amazing. It’s rare to see a movie where every member of the cast gels together so brilliantly. You can’t help but be charmed by each of every member of this motley crew.
Ewan McGregor (Moulin Rouge, Shallow Grave) puts in a shining, egoless turn as Grimes, the company clerk. Proving the old adage of “Be Careful What you Wish For”, Grimes laments to a new recruit that his “rare and mysterious typing skill” keeps him from battle; only to turn around and find himself in the position of replacing a member of Eversman’s squad. Combining a facade of bravado, with an inner core of 90% courage and 10% pure terror McGregor challenges his stereotype of being an action hero, to play this young soldier with a mature sense of realism. The other cast member that I must comment on is Ron Eldard (The Last Supper). He portrays pilot Mike Durant, a soldier with a family to lose, but who follows the most dangerous orders without question. I would be challenged to find a moment in film as moving as the scene when Durant is being surrounded by Militia, and his only thought was to grab for his photo of his love and child. The determination he displays, blended with just a touch of desperation is overwhelming. Here, like Caviezel, is an actor who can communicate volumes without saying a word. The last thirty minutes of this film become less about the heroism of these young men, and just overwhelm you with the senseless loss of lives. Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Alien) has spun glimpses of heroes, unlike Spielberg’s jingoistic band, Scott’s soldiers are all too human, making Blackhawk Down the new standard for the war film genre to live up to.
|
Josh
Hartnett (Pearl Harbor) tugs at your heart as the young Sgt. Eversman
In this one film he shows more emotional range than most actors do in five.
Suddenly finding himself in a leadership position the inexperienced army
ranger digs up the inner strength to lead his team of friends straight
into hell. He truly lets the character’s mettle shine through, putting
the safety and sanity of everyone else before himself.