The Hurt Locker
(2008)The 2010 Academy Award winner for Best Film, Director, Screenplay and Editing. ... More
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'.Hide
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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.
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Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Evangeline Lilly
Written by Mark Boal
On Demand, DVD & Blu-Ray
Available from 5 providers
Flicks Review
BY Rebecca Barry Hill Flicks Writer
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.... More
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).Hide
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The Hurt Locker
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!
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
BY Brian1 superstar
But well worth going to. Another spin perhaps showing another side of that seemingly everlasting war.
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.
Showing 5 of 19 reviews. See all reviews
The Press Reviews
97%
of critics recommend.
Rotten Tomatoes Score. More reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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. Full Review
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. Full Review
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. Full Review
Stretched both timewise and for plausibility. Full Review
The best nondocumentary American feature made yet about the war in Iraq. Full Review
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. Full Review
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. Full Review
Sharply written, superbly directed and extremely tense thriller with a terrific central performance from rising star Jeremy Renner. Full Review
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