Black Hawk Down Blu-ray

Black Hawk Down

 (2001)

Action | Drama | History | War



In October 1993, an elite group of U.S. soldiers were sent into Mogadishu, Somalia as part of a U.N. peacekeeping operation. Their mission: to abduct two top lieutenants of the Somali warlord, Mohamed Farrah Aidid, as part of a strategy to quell the civil war and famine that was ravaging the country. Arriving with good intentions, their carefully planned mission took an unexpected turn resulting in the U.S. military's single biggest firefight since Vietnam. Based on the true story of the Battle of Mogadishu by Mark Bowden.

For more details about Black Hawk Down on Blu-ray, see the Black Hawk Down Blu-ray Review

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Jason Isaacs, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana
Director: Ridley Scott

Black Hawk Down Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Black Hawk Down certainly isn't the prettiest film ever shot; it is comprised of material that could have easily been a video nightmare if not handled with extreme care. Sony has stepped up to the plate with this release by offering an accurate transfer that highlights the gritty nature of the original photography, rather than attempting to make the film look pretty. The resulting Blu-ray disc is easily the finest and most accurate version of Black Hawk Down ever presented on home video. Everything one would expect from a reference-grade transfer is here: stunning black levels, superlative shadow details and a perfect rendering of the film’s muted color palette. The level of detail on screen is nothing short of amazing; every last drop of blood and sweat is presented in unmatched high definition clarity.

Again, Black Hawk Down makes no attempt at being even remotely colorful, glossy or polished in its presentation. The film is dirty, dark and gritty while relying on heavy use of filters and post-production manipulation to achieve its unique look. Successfully bringing the cinema experience home requires capturing a film exactly the way the director and cinematographer intended for it to be viewed in theaters. The Blu-ray release of Black Hawk Down easily accomplishes this goal. Black Hawk Down is the very definition of reference quality and is highly recommended.

Black Hawk Down Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


As has been the case with all of Sony’s Blu-ray releases thus far, Black Hawk Down is presented with uncompressed PCM 5.1 audio that is the epitome of reference grade. There’s nothing subtle about this surround track. From the opening bars of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Voodoo Chile’ to the thousands of bullets that whiz by throughout the film; one feels completely immersed in the action as it unfolds on screen. This is, quite simply, one of the most active and exciting surround tracks I’ve ever experienced.

Bass lovers will have a field day with this disc and those obsessed with incredible dimensionality will be in heaven. The "Less is More" philosophy does not apply to Black Hawk Down; I was immediately transported from my home theater to the streets of Mogadishu where cannons, rockets, tanks and helicopters all filled the room. It's an all-encompassing experience that is as disturbing as it is impressive. If you haven't experienced Black Hawk Down on Blu-ray, you are missing out on one of the format's most impressive audio demonstrations. Highly Recommended.

Black Hawk Down Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Sony Pictures Announces Its First 50GB Blu-ray Titles - October 6, 2006

Black Hawk Down Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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