What Do You Think Is the Appeal of Dying in Battle?

I watched this movie and liked it a lot, so did most of my friends I saw it with.

One thing I noticed when we discussed the film was how focused everyone (including myself) seemed to be on the death scenes in the movie, particularly Faraday's and how cool he was going out in a blaze of glory.

It got me thinking...why? In today's society, given how generally civilized we have become, most people scoff at the idea. But a part of me seems attracted to the concept of sacrificing myself in battle, or going down fighting, or whatever you want to call it. Obviously it's more sensible to want to die peacefully in your sleep, but I feel like a part of most men (maybe some women, too, but I don't know) think the idea of dying like Faraday did would be cool.

Is it something to do with masculinity? Do we want to ensure we are remembered by our loved ones and by the world as martyrs and heroes? What do you guys think?

"We're not too old for this sh*t!" -Riggs and Murtaugh, 'Lethal Weapon 4' (1998)