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The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker

2008

The 2010 Academy Award winner for Best Film, Director, Screenplay and Editing.

This war zone thriller follows three members of the Army's elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad as they search for and disarm a series of roadside bombs on the streets of Baghdad.

The story, a look at the psychology of bomb technicians and the effects of risk and danger on the human psyche, is a fictional tale inspired by real events experienced by journalist and screenwriter Mark Boal, who followed a special bomb unit in Iraq. The title refers to the soldier vernacular to speak of explosions as sending you to the 'hurt locker'.

Starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Evangeline Lilly

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow ('Point Break', 'K-19: The Widowmaker')

Written by Mark Boal

Festivals & Awards Winner of 6 Academy Awards, 2010: Best Film, Director, Screenplay, Editing, Sound Mixing, Sound Editing. Winner of 6 BAFTA Awards, 2010: Best Film, Director, Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Sound.

2hr 11mins | Rated (R16) | Contains Violence, Offensive Language & Content That May Disturb | Origin: USA | Official Site »

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Flicks review

  •  4

    It certainly didn't hurt The Hurt Locker that this war story had a war story of its own. Director Kathryn Bigelow fought on the cinematic frontline with her ex-husband James Cameron, whose Avatar lost to the Locker at the Oscars. Regardless, Bigelow's all-too-real account of life for an army bomb disposal unit in the Iraq war was deserving of the win, combining white- knuckle tension, sizzling dialogue and poignant insight into the lives of the bravest guys in Baghdad.

    That Bigelow keeps the focus on the bomb squad's relentless duties means she never strays into emotive battle- fantasy territory, nor does she take political sides. But that doesn't mean this isn't brimming with intensity, and while there are plenty of explosions and moments of intense gunfire, there are also periods of eerie silence.

    The workmanlike way these men carry out their life and death duties is awe-inspiring, the pressure not to make a mistake only exacerbated by the searing temperatures. A scene in which the bomb disposal unit let off steam like overgrown kids pumped with brawn and booze is just one of many that show these guys are only human. Especially with characters such as the fearless and frequently reckless Sgt. William James (Jeremy Renner).

    Agree? Disagree?...

The people's reviews

20 reviews

  • Bit of a Star Spangeled Banner

     3

    ***Seen Them All

    Nobody (?)

    And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
    Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
    O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?



    Enough said!

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Review

     4

    Michael

    Nobody (?)

    An intense, tightly directed and well acted war film. Succesfully puts you as an audience member in amongst the carnage with these characters.
    An intense, tightly directed and well acted war film. Succesfully puts you as an audience member in amongst the carnage with these characters.
    clear rating

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • yet another Iraq story

     4

    Brian1

    Superstar (?)

    But well worth going to. Another spin perhaps showing another side of that seemingly everlasting war.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • oh yeah...

     5

    alex anonomous

    Nobody (?)

    soldiers killing sand monkeys.
    where can you go wrong.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • failed

     2

    pj

    Nobody (?)

    The only good thing was the cinematography. May seem real to someone who has never seen a documentary but the script and story very cliche and tacky. Was embarrassingly 'unreal'. They should have just filmed real soldiers then we wouldn't have had to put up with the lame script and bad acting.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Brilliant Action Moive

     5

    David

    Nobody (?)

    This movie was one of the best action films i ve seen in a long time, it has a solid story line, the characters are very unique but not cliche.

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Intense and nerve-racking

     5

    Ken-Burns

    Superstar (?)

    20 minutes in I thought this does not deserve and Oscar but now I'm convinced it does because it is so memorable. Very different from what I thought it would but I'd easily see it again

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Disapointing and even boring!

     2

    mak

    Nobody (?)

    I am an avid movie goer and was looking forward to seeing this Oscar winning movie - well certainly didnt live up to expectations - Avatar was robbed!!!!

    Agree? Disagree?...
  • Im amazed..

     5

    Tyler

    Nobody (?)

    im amazed of how this movie is terrific. Its qot a bit sad losinq people and its a bit funny in SOME scenes i love this movie i really enjoyed it and i qive it a 5 well done the director.

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  • 'American' fluff?

     4

    Len

    Nobody (?)

    Very well directed film, with suspense and drama - also very realistic, which I think looses some people. I was always wondering what would happen next, with some things just outta nowhere. It certainly has a great story to it, but it is gonna be more well received by American patriots, I think. Sure, because of the Oscar hype I was expecting a more powerful experience - it certainly didn't affect me like Saving Private Ryan, or Band of Brothers - can't really compare them though maybe? Still definately worth it, will have some scenes stuck in my head for some time to come.

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Press Reviews

  • Chicago Sun-Times

    A great film, an intelligent film, a film shot clearly so that we know exactly who everybody is and where they are and what they’re doing and why.
    Read full review

  • Empire (UK)

     5

    The most literally exciting film you will see this year. Forget the off-putting banner of another Iraq movie -- go, watch, marvel, endure and book in the palliative of a stiff drink afterwards.
    Read full review

  • Hollywood Reporter

    Tensely action-packed and muscularly directed by Kathryn Bigelow, this tale of an elite U.S. army bomb disposal unit in Baghdad is a familiar story in new clothes, targeted at the young male demographic.
    Read full review

  • New York Post

    Stretched both timewise and for plausibility.
    Read full review

  • New York Times

    The best nondocumentary American feature made yet about the war in Iraq.
    Read full review

  • Total Film (UK)

     4

    Bigelow makes a welcome return with a thrilling, edgy and, yes, explosive film about the toughest job in the world. What’s The Hurt Locker? Something special.
    Read full review

  • Variety (USA)

    Boal's script stirs a little of everything into the pot, which boils down into seven setpieces divided by brief intervals of camaraderie/conflict among the three protags.
    Read full review

  • ViewAuckland.co.nz (Matt Turner)

     4

    Sharply written, superbly directed and extremely tense thriller with a terrific central performance from rising star Jeremy Renner.
    Read full review

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