Having just viewed a documentary online prior to this movie, it was easy for me to presume this one to be likewise. In fact, the only clue that gave it away as a movie(and I overlooked) was the listing of stars. I was actually consumed by this film from the start, completely sold that it was a documentary. It wasn't until after it ended and I became unsatisfied with the lack of memorial for the journalist, that I discovered it was fictional(by searching out more info online). Having stated that, the film was obviously convincing enough to pass for it's intended style. I must declare in my defense though, there were often times throughout the film that I was shaking my head at the complete lack of self preservation on the part of the journalist and the thoughtlessness of the leading role. I had to chalk the latter up to his willingness to die and having nothing to lose.Upon reflection and after learning that it was a fictitious project, I see the overacting, some poorly written scenes and unbelievable luck in the danger close situations.Overall, even after learning of it's true nature, I can't deny how good some of the scenes are layered for intensity and terror.

Here we have irony, political statements of many sides, excellent cinematography, fantastic directing, and get to know more about a country everyone is sick of hearing about but one that no one still really knows anything about. Having been to Afghanistan myself, I can tell you that they fittingly captured the people that I met, the city of Kabul, and the feelings I had as well. There was one comment on IMDb that states it was obviously shot in India (because the writing on many things were in an Indian language), and I just want to say that Urdu, which is also a language in India, is commonly used in that area of Afghanistan, as is Farsi and Pashtu. And Afghanistan does a lot of trade with India, so their trucks are mainly from India. To end, this is one of the best of this style of filming I've seen. It really got my blood boiling - you won't be bored for a second.

The only thing this movie misses, is the reality.I must admit that I had to check twice whether or not it had any roots in reality, but before the film was over, it had convinced me all by itself.On many occasions when I watched it I wanted to turn it off. The improbability of the things happening on the screen, the inconsistency of the characters, the complete obvious removal of scenery during car-scenes, all of which were not explained in a good way, contributed.Wali's accent was actually fading. Five years in the force, and walking right into crossfire? The camera was somehow on in -too- many situations that it wouldn't. The tapes was readily cut and sound mixed? Oh-really.

This movie wasn't what I thought it would be. I indeed thought it was a real documentary but realized about half-way through it was a complete bunch of crap. What I really found extremely irritating was the main character's blase attitude during the whole film. He's supposed to be in a country torn apart by years and years of war and filled with terrorists who would love to get their hands on an American yet his demeanor is as if he's in a shopping mall somewhere in suburban America. I mean give me a break. And the scene where he gets arrested, saying he can get more information if he is taken into custody. Ha Ha Ha . I actually laughed during this scene. (Was this really supposed to be a comedy?) There were too many scenes to state that looked absolutely absurd. On the cover of the DVD, it read "OUT-GUNS BLACK HAWK DOWN AND SAVING PRIVATE RYAN." WHAT???? The only movie this out-gunned was Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. I was totally disappointed though I did watch the whole thing. The character Walid's acting was the only thing that saved this DVD from going into the fireplace. I give it 4 out of 10 and again, only because of Walid's character.