Black Hawk Down 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 93
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Black Hawk Down's new 4K UHD SteelBook edition is a technical marvel with enhanced Dolby Vision, fantastic Atmos sound, and substantial extras, making it a worthy upgrade for newcomers.
Disc Release Date
True 4K
HDR10
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS-HD MA
Dolby TrueHD
Video: 92
The 4K UHD release of 'Black Hawk Down' showcases a dramatic improvement over its predecessors, offering exceptional detailing, refined grain, and enhanced colors through Dolby Vision. Despite the film's intentionally gritty and monochromatic aesthetic, the transfer excels with deep blacks, intense brights, and precise facial tones, ensuring the finest presentation yet.
Audio: 97
The re-issued Dolby Atmos soundtrack delivers an immersive and explosive audio experience, with chaotic battle sequences that envelop the listener in a 360° soundfield, though it slightly lacks refinement compared to other object-based tracks. Despite minor shortcomings, it offers dynamic clarity and substantial low-end impact.
Extra: 93
The comprehensive "Black Hawk Down" 4K UHD Blu-ray edition includes an array of extras on two Blu-ray discs, with notable features such as multiple audio commentaries including one by director Ridley Scott and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a detailed making-of documentary, a deep dive into the real events via History Channel and PBS, plus deleted scenes and design archives.
Movie: 83
Ridley Scott’s 'Black Hawk Down' on 4K UHD Blu-ray is an exhilarating, technically flawless war epic with improved Dolby Vision color grading that enhances its already intense visuals, though it might still feel thin on character development and emotional depth.
Video: 92
The 4K UHD release of "Black Hawk Down" sees significant improvements in video quality over previous versions, with the highlight being the meticulously applied Dolby Vision color grading. The film, known for its heavily grainy and monochromatic aesthetic, benefits immensely from the upgrade. Deep grays, dusty yellows, and intense blacks look more defined, providing a pristine presentation despite the gritty, worn texture of the visuals that aligns with the filmmakers' intentional style. Fine details, especially in facial tones and dusky night shots, are superbly rendered, showcasing a more refined grain structure and better clarity.
Sony’s Dolby Vision reissue offers minimal improvements beyond color grading as compared to the previous HDR10-only release. However, the upgraded version does exhibit deeper black levels and more intense highlights, lending stability and accuracy to the film’s heavily stylized color temperatures. Red blood appears bolder, tracer fire looks brighter, and white balance improvements add to the natural and expressive tonal quality of the image. Overall, while the upgrade isn't monumental, it ensures that this is indeed the finest video presentation of “Black Hawk Down” to date, making it a recommended choice for first-time 4K UHD buyers.
Audio: 97
The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu Ray of "Black Hawk Down" utilizes an extraordinary Dolby Atmos soundtrack that delivers a high-impact, immersive experience quintessential for any war film enthusiast. The implementation of Dolby Atmos elevates the viewing experience significantly, providing an immersive 360° soundfield that meticulously captures the chaos and intensity of the film’s combat scenes. The sound design offers clean dialogue, even amidst the cacophony of a war-torn environment, maintaining pristine clarity throughout the most explosive sequences. The dynamic range and spatial audio effects enhance realism, enveloping viewers with sounds of bullets whizzing by, helicopter blades whooshing overhead, and debris falling, creating a highly engaging and visceral audio experience.
While this track is a re-issue of the previous release, its performance remains strong, particularly in its authoritative low-end. Explosions and gunfire are rendered with a wall-rattling presence, making this mix a go-to for showcasing your system’s capabilities. A standout scene often referenced for demonstrating subwoofer strength is the "F**king Irene!" sequence, notorious for its deep bass extension reaching down to 5Hz. Despite a minor lack of refinement compared to some top-tier Atmos mixes, this soundtrack is potent and dynamic. The sound positioning in battle scenes is meticulously layered, with front, side, and rear channels all contributing to a cohesive and overwhelming auditory barrage.
Throughout the film, quieter, character-driven moments are handled with care, ensuring dialogue remains intelligible despite the surrounding chaos. The Atmos track deftly balances intense action with more subdued scenes, maintaining an immersive half-dome auditory environment that enriches the overall cinematic experience. Whether it's the swarming commotion of the Somali city or the bedlam of battle, this mix enhances the narrative’s emotional and visceral elements profoundly.
Extra: 93
The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "Black Hawk Down" impressively consolidates all previous special features, albeit confined to the accompanying 1080p discs. No new extras have been included, but the extensive archival material is substantial and unparalleled. The three audio commentaries, featuring director Ridley Scott, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, author Mark Bowden, screenwriter Ken Nolan, and Task Force Ranger Veterans, are pivotal to any comprehensive understanding of the film. Additionally, “The Essence of Combat” offers an exhaustive six-part documentary on the production process, crucial for enthusiasts eager to delve deeper. Historical and contextual supplements like "The History Channel: The True Story of Black Hawk Down" and "PBS Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu" provide valuable insights into the real events that inspired the film. The disc’s rich collection of production design features, Q&A forums, and deleted scenes significantly enhance the overall viewing experience.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: With Director Ridley Scott and Producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
- Audio Commentary: Featuring Author Mark Bowden and Screenwriter Ken Nolan.
- Audio Commentary: Featuring U.S. Special Forces Veterans '93.
- The Essence of Combat: Six-part documentary on making the film.
- The History Channel: The True Story of Black Hawk Down: Documentary on real-life events.
- Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu: PBS documentary covering real events.
- Black Hawk Down On the Set: Behind-the-scenes insights.
- Designing Mogadishu: Feature about production design.
- Q&A Forums: Discussions with industry experts.
- Ridleygrams with Commentary: Insights into Ridley Scott’s creative process.
- Target Building Insertion: Tactical feature with commentary.
- Jerry Bruckheimer's On-Set Photography: Photo collection.
- Invisible Design/Title Exploration: Exploration of design elements with commentary.
- Music Video: “Gortoz A Ran – J’Attends” by Denez Prigent and Lisa Gerrard.
- Deleted & Alternate Scenes: With optional commentary track.
- Still Galleries: Image collection.
- Trailers and TV Spots: Promotional materials.
Movie: 83
"Black Hawk Down" is a trenchant war drama by Ridley Scott, known for its relentless action sequences and intense, realistic portrayal of modern combat. Based on actual events from the ill-fated mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the film plunges viewers into the chaotic urban warfare of Mogadishu. The narrative revolves around a small force of Army Rangers and Delta Force operators sent in to stabilize Somalia. However, the mission quickly deteriorates when two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down by militia forces, trapping soldiers in hostile territory. The movie's pace and the kinetic energy are palpable from start to finish, leaving audiences breathless. Scott's visual storytelling captures the sheer madness of war but sometimes at the expense of deeper character development and emotional resonance.
Technically, the 4K UHD Blu-ray edition of "Black Hawk Down" is exceptional. This release includes Dolby Vision color grading, providing significant improvements in picture quality compared to the earlier 2019 issue and the 2006 Blu-ray. The HDR10 only color tuning from the previous disc is replaced by Dolby Vision, enhancing dark scenes with impeccable black levels and pristine clarity. The heavily grainy film looks cleaner with more detail in both daytime chaos and nighttime skirmishes. Facial tones and the overall monochromatic aesthetic, dominated by dusty yellows and deep grays, come through with much more definition. The Dolby Atmos audio continues from its predecessor, providing an immersive auditory experience that matches the visual intensity. Overall, this transfer is a phenomenal upgrade for an already visually striking film.
Rated R for intense, realistic graphic war violence, and strong language, "Black Hawk Down" is a visceral experience that highlights brotherhood in combat while offering relentless action. Despite some narrative thinness and uneven character arcs, it remains a respectably crafted film that exemplifies Ridley Scott's technical prowess and storytelling capabilities.
Total: 93
Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down" receives a stunning 4K UHD Blu-ray release that elevates its status as one of the most visually and sonically impressive war films to date. The transfer benefits from Dolby Vision color grading, creating a picture quality that sets a high bar for UHD content. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack adds immersive depth, turning the intense combat scenes into a visceral experience. This edition includes both the theatrical and extended versions of the film, along with comprehensive extras initially featured in the Deluxe Edition, making it a value-packed offering.
Technically, the 4K UHD Blu-ray boasts an HEVC encoded 2.39:1 aspect ratio with multiple audio and subtitle options, ensuring accessibility and versatility. The HDR10 vs. Dolby Vision debate shows marginal differences, yet the Dolby Vision's finer color accuracy is a welcome enhancement for those upgrading from Blu-ray. The packaging, particularly the SteelBook design, adds an aesthetic allure but doesn't offer substantial differences for those holding the 2019 version. The inclusion of two discs loaded with archival features only sweetens the deal.
"Black Hawk Down" is an essential purchase for collectors and new buyers alike. Despite minor updates from the 2019 release, the visual and auditory upgrades alongside extensive supplemental materials make this re-release a definitive edition. The film’s raw depiction of modern warfare remains gripping and relevant, solidifying its place in cinematic history. Highly recommended as a must-watch and a great buy for any serious film enthusiast.
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 100
I’ve always considered the Mpeg2 encoded Blu-rays one of the finest in Blu-ray’s opening salvos during the format war, and proof that a film didn’t have to be AVC encoded to look good (VC-1 and MPEG2 required...
Audio: 100
Making Black Hawk Down" Documentary • The History Channel® Presents: "The True Story of Black Hawk Down" • PBS Presents: "Frontline: Ambush in Mogadishu" • 8 Deleted & Alternate Scenes with Optional Commentary...
Extras: 100
Movie: 100
It had an ensemble cast that eclipsed even Saving Private Ryan , and dealt with a horrific incident in ways that appealed to the action junkies, and the brutal war drama junkies at the same time....
Total: 100
Technical Specifications: Starring: Joshn Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Ioan Gruffudd, Jason Isaacs, Glenn Morshower Directed by: Ridley Scott Written by: Mark Bowden,...
Blu-ray.com review by Martin LiebmanRead review here
Video: 100
The picture quality is here presented with meticulous detailing and clarity which is at times rendered maybe a little less than "ideal" given the color scheme, shooting parameters, frenzied action, and...
Audio: 100
Sony has simply re-issued the existing Dolby Atmos soundtrack from the previous UHD release....
Extras: 100
Disc one is identical to the 2006 disc while the second Blu-ray includes the extras from the bonus disc included with the 2019 UHD....
Movie: 100
The bundled Blu-rays, which are identical to both the original 2006 issue and the bonus Blu-ray from the 2019 UHD release, include all of the legacy content....
Total: 100
This is a whole new level of picture quality excellence for the film and if not a new standard for the UHD format certainly one of its very best presentations....
Blu-ray Authority review by Matt BrightonRead review here
Video: 100
This is a hard transfer to judge on the usual scale, but the visuals reflect the theatrical presentation, so all is well here....
Audio: 100
It has all the power to burn and handles more reserved scenes well, but there’s a small level of refinement that is absent, something I just can’t put my finger on....
Extras: 80
Production Design Archive – While not as comprehensive, this has some smaller segments all centering around the production design....
Movie: 0
As the enemy closes in, the survivors hold firm, but time is starting to run out… This is not your typical war movie, as it doesn’t deal as much with personal stories, emotional content, or grandiose heroics,...
Total: 90
This is, by far, the best the film has ever looked and sounded and all of the supplements from the previously-released Deluxe Edition have made the leap....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
The Dolby Vision grade offers up some improved visuals in black levels and spectral highlights while giving a little more care and attention to the heavily stylized color scheme....
Audio: 100
Still, a good portion of the story is a character-driven drama with priority given to the soft-spoken dialogue and various conversations, along with the constant yelling and screaming....
Extras: 100
Q&A Forums (SD, 11 min): BAFTA Editor's Guild American Cinematheque Ridleygrams with Commentary (SD, 7 min)....
Movie: 60
I do appreciate the film’s intentions for aiming to show the brotherhood of combat, but that’s also a theme we’ve seen in other (and better) war films for many years now....
Total: 80
The margins for improvement may be thin, the 2019 disc is still excellent, but newcomers to the format will definitely want to aim for this release for the exciting visuals, audio, and archival extra features....
Director: Ridley Scott
Actors: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore
PlotIn 1993, amid the chaos of the Somali Civil War, an elite group of American soldiers from the Delta Force, the 75th Rangers, and the 160th SOAR are dispatched on a critical mission in the capital city of Mogadishu. Their objective is to capture two top lieutenants of the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, who has been hindering the United Nations' humanitarian efforts by seizing international food shipments meant for the starving population. The mission is planned as a swift and precise raid, with the soldiers intending to infiltrate the city, apprehend their targets, and return to their base within the hour.
The operation, initially seeming straightforward, quickly unravels when one of their Black Hawk helicopters is shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. With the crash of the helicopter, the mission's objective changes from capture to rescue. The soldiers find themselves in an intense urban warfare situation, surrounded by hostile Somali militia and civilians. Trapped in the hostile district of the city and with their escape route cut off, they must defend their positions and fight for survival while facing overwhelming odds and a ferocious enemy.
Writers: Mark Bowden, Ken Nolan
Release Date: 18 Jan 2002
Runtime: 144 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, United Kingdom
Language: English, Somali, Arabic