The Hurt Locker
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'.
- Director:
- Kathryn Bigelow ('Point Break', 'K-19: The Widowmaker')
- Writer:
- Mark Boal
- Cast:
- Jeremy RennerAnthony MackieBrian GeraghtyGuy PearceRalph FiennesDavid MorseEvangeline Lilly
Reviews & comments
Review
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
failed
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.
'American' fluff?
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...
Doesn't live up to expected hype...
My title sums it up nicely. Blaster 1's arrogance grates infuriatingly throughout the duration and really all this amounts to is a gigantic pile of 'American' fluff. NOT deservivg of all the awards except Bigalow's directorship. A huge let down. Green Zone is FAR better.
Ho-hum
Well, I can see why the Americans loved this movie - brave American soldiers risking their lives to save ungrateful Iraqis. But to be honest, it was an average movie in my opinion. As it went on, I found it dragged and so did my husband, surprisingly, who usually likes war movies. By the time it finished, I was just waiting for the end. Bits of it were...
Variety
pressBoal'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.
Total Film
pressBigelow 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.
The New York Times
pressThe best nondocumentary American feature made yet about the war in Iraq.
Hollywood Reporter
pressTensely 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.
Empire Magazine
pressThe 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.
Chicago Sun-Times
pressA 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.
Variety
pressBoal'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.
Total Film
pressBigelow 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.
The New York Times
pressThe best nondocumentary American feature made yet about the war in Iraq.
Hollywood Reporter
pressTensely 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.
Empire Magazine
pressThe 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.
Chicago Sun-Times
pressA 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.
Review
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
failed
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.
'American' fluff?
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...
Doesn't live up to expected hype...
My title sums it up nicely. Blaster 1's arrogance grates infuriatingly throughout the duration and really all this amounts to is a gigantic pile of 'American' fluff. NOT deservivg of all the awards except Bigalow's directorship. A huge let down. Green Zone is FAR better.
Ho-hum
Well, I can see why the Americans loved this movie - brave American soldiers risking their lives to save ungrateful Iraqis. But to be honest, it was an average movie in my opinion. As it went on, I found it dragged and so did my husband, surprisingly, who usually likes war movies. By the time it finished, I was just waiting for the end. Bits of it were...
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