It’s been nearly 10 years since director Ridley Scott dabbled in the sci-fi genre, but all that will change later this year thanks to his newest release. However, before we get there, one of the English filmmaker’s best movies – a masterpiece war epic based on a true story – shouldn’t be ignored on its new streaming home.
Released in 2001, the war film was based on a 1999 non-fiction book by journalist Mark Bowden, and follows a U.S. military operation that goes horribly wrong when two helicopters are shot down in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia. Trapped behind enemy lines, American soldiers face overwhelming opposition while attempting to rescue their brothers-in-arms and escape the city.
Featuring some of the most intense combat sequences you’ll ever see, the film is also known for its large ensemble cast that helped propel it to a box office total of $173 million against a budget of $92 million. Called a movie that “helps audiences understand and sympathize with the actual experiences of combat troops” by Roger Ebert, it holds a Certified Fresh rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, and an audience score of 88%.
Ridley Scott’s War Masterpiece Is Now Streaming on Peacock
Titled Black Hawk Down, the 2001 war epic is now streaming on Peacock after being added to the streamer’s June lineup of movies. The harrowing tale stars the likes of Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Tom Sizemore, William Fichtner, Jason Isaacs, and even Tom Hardy, to name a few. With a cast like that, it’s no wonder the movie is held in such high regard.
Often cited as one of the most realistic depictions of modern combat ever put on screen, Black Hawk Down was nominated for four Academy Awards, and won two: one for Best Film Editing, and the other for Best Sound. It influenced almost every other war epic that came after it, and even helped inspire the video game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
Ridley Scott Returns to the Sci-Fi Genre Later This Year
Turning our attention to what’s to come, Scott will make his triumphant return to the sci-fi genre later this year after a nearly 10-year absence. His last foray into the field as a director was Alien: Covenant in 2017, which proved to be a modest hit at the box office, though not as successful as the previous entry in the Alien franchise, Prometheus.
Hitting theaters on Aug. 28, The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller set after a devastating flu pandemic. It stars Jacob Elordi as a former civilian pilot, and Josh Brolin as a hardened ex-Marine. Together, the duo must traverse deadly terrain in search of a mysterious radio signal that promises a better life. Margaret Qualley, Allison Janney, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong also star in the picture.
As we await the release of The Dog Stars, be sure to check out Black Hawk Down streaming now on Peacock.
