The Hurt Locker

Great movie, three thumbs up!

Awesome!

I freaking loved this movie. There wasn't a 'war is hell' theme or anything like that (not that there is anything wrong with that theme, mind you). It is a story about a man with an obsession and the movie is a snapshot of 60 days with this man. Both the action sequences and the story are extremely gripping and the movie went by in a minute.

A suspenseful and thrilling war film from director Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker is a smart and uncompromising look at the lives of soldiers serving in Iraq. The story follows a bomb disposal unit as they go out on missions to deal with car bombs, suicide bombers, and IEDs, but the team leader’s wild and reckless attitude soon pushes his team members to their breaking point. Jeremy Renner gives an outstanding performance, and is able to convey a lot through subtle looks and movements. Additionally, there are some strong supporting performances by Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, and Evangeline Lilly. Bigelow’s directing is also incredibly well-done and gives the film a gritty and raw quality. And, the writing’s remarkably tight and keeps the focus on the soldiers and their personal struggles; avoiding any political commentary about the war. A provocative character drama, The Hurt Locker asks some hard questions about the effects that war has on the soldiers who fight it.

Quality war film that will never be my favorite, but holds a special place in my memory.

Rating: 3.5/5 - 80% - Worth Watching

I had seen this movie before and never really go into the hype (I was much younger). I vividly remember this being the first Blu-ray my dad purchased along with surround sound. Fast forward nearly 15 years later and I definitely dug it a bunch more. Its not award winning (in my opinion), but it is a super solid war movie set in modern times.

Rating: 3.5/5 - 8/10 - Would Recommend

Incredibly tense movie. Really well done, specially for the time.

This holds up well. The cinematography and editing are really immersive. The action is gripping and fast paced. The acting is good. The story is fine.

[spoiler] So after the explosion of the truck (towards the end of the movie): Do the guys who "kidnapped" one of our heros (the one who ends up being shot in the leg) have anything to do with ambushing the truck? [/spoiler] This feels like a pretty big question to leave open. Or did I miss anything?