Catangro
After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Ginger
Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.
Isbel
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
paulclaassen
Brutal in every sense of the word. Realistic and disturbing, the film left me feeling sick at times and I honestly could not stomach some of the scenes. The film actually brilliantly depicts the horrors of war, and a very good cast ensure credibility. This is one of those films (like Saving Private Ryan) that is so well made that I only want to see it once, since I won't stomach it a second time.
Brent Burkwell
The only reason I didn't give this the full thumbs up is that I would have had the real story turn out a bit different. Atto or whatever his name was, the captured arms dealer, wouldn't have been smoking a cigarette, smugly as if to say I told you so, instead he would have been in the stocks, the type used in the dark ages, no water and when he asked for water, he would have been "water-boarded" until he cried for his mama. If it were up to me, the US military's only rule of engagement would be win at all costs, always make a move before the enemy. But idiots in Washington won't allow that, they're too worried about what the rest of the world might think. For instance, Russia and China, both regimes that persecute their own people. No, the only time the USA should go to war is if we intend to win period, no rules of engagement, no rules what so ever, war isn't fair, it shouldn't be, make it brief and make sure we come home every time as the winner.
spiritof67
The few here who have ever had to experience live fire on the level shown in this movie will know this: this movie is the closest thing to a real firefight most people will see, and bear in mind it is sanitized. The real thing is even worse, even scarier, even louder...and again, even worse.This is a rough, intense movie. Probably right on the edge of what is in any way commercial. I am actually surprised any studio released this film, it's that hard-core. Spoiler alert here..Somalia is a fourth-world country with mores more akin to perhaps the 5th or 6th Century. Do not expect to leave the theater or your other viewing location with much sympathy for them, and they aren't looking for it from you. And I speak with experience. A hell of a movie, and I mean that in every sense of the word. And look up the term "fire discipline".
gilligan1965
EDITED FROM A REVIEW ON 7 FEBRUARY 2016.This is a great movie and a great depiction of what likely happened in Somalia...but, what about the American troops who died for useless reasons? What about their parents and families? Normally, a country invades and conquers another to enrich their own country. The US went to Mogadishu to help people, and, all we got in return was enemy fire and dead American kids!?!?Here...and, in all American Wars, nothing ever enriched the US...it depleted us of American soldiers (fathers; brothers; sons; nephews; etc.) for no reason...it's saddening! In this case...just like in every other American war, especially, Korea; Vietnam; Gulf War 1990; Gulf War 2003;...who cares when the children of the United States have to die for nothing? FOR WHAT? These are USELESS WARS! ALL wars are useless when American children are killed for silly reasons!Why were Americans even in Somalia? I'm quite sure that Master Sergeant (USA) Gary Gordon's family will remember their son, brother, nephew, etc. as a hero who 'posthumously' won the Congressional Medal of Honor, but, for what!?!? Why!?!? He died...and, for what!?!? What gain was this for the United States and this man's family? A great man, like many other great men, died in a silly war...not even a war...a skirmish; a conflict; a fight that means nothing...except to help feed people who needed food, yet, in the end, he died for nothing!The same with SFC(USA) Randy Shughart...his family must also feel the same pride for their child and his posthumous CMH; but, hatred, moreover, for the carelessness his government took in extinguishing his light by this foolish battle.US Government - so stupid...taking advantage of American children's patriotism, loyalty, and, honor, to and for our nation; and, then, squandering them in a useless war like this!?!? I'M ASHAMED OF MY GOVERNMENT!My heart goes out to everyone who lost someone in this silly encounter; and, in any other silly encounters worldwide..LT(SEAL) Michael Murphy; STG2(SEAL) Matthew Axelson; GM2(SEAL) Danny Deitz; and, so many others. God Bless You ALL!MM/USN (1985-1993)
