Every once in a while a film comes along that has something special. The Hurt Locker lifted me off of my couch and sat me down in Iraq for two hours. My heart rate was elevated from the first scene; one of the most intense films I have seen in a long time. It is wonderfully acted and beautifully shot. On some levels, this is my favorite film of the past year.The Hurt Locker is a film about a bomb squad. Jeremy Renner stars as the squad leader, and crazy SOB. He gives a great performance, really making his character feel genuine. The acting, along with the cinematography really serve to make the viewer feel like they are watching real footage of real people. This film grabbed me from the very beginning and held me all the way to the end.
My favorite thing about The Hurt Locker is that it is very much a film about the warrior and not the war. It doesn't try to tell us anything about the politics behind what is going on. It doesn't even give a reason or cause for the anguish these soldiers are dealing with. It is focused solely on the men and women who are putting their lives on the line, and why the hell they are doing it. When I finished The Hurt Locker I experienced a sense of relief. I was allowed to return to my couch. I didn't have to think about it anymore if I didn't want to. The soldiers don't have that option. I don't pretend to understand anything about what they are going through by watching a movie. It merely allowed me put things in my life into perspective a little bit.
If you have not yet seen The Hurt Locker, you need to watch it. I hope it gets some recognition at the Oscars. I thought it would win the golden globe for best drama. It sure as hell creates a lot more drama that what Avatar did. It may not be as visually impressive as Avatar, but the blu-ray did look great and the tension and characters far exceed that of Avatar. The Hurt Locker is definitely among my favorites of the year, and you all need to see it.
-deric
Filed Under: Drama