Review of The Hurt Locker (2008) by Stephen E — 11 Dec 2012

This isn't saying much, but "The Hurt Locker" is the best movie about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Ably filmed by director Kathryn Bigelow and insightfully scripted by Mark Boal, it effectively captures the harsh lifestyle that American soldiers endured during their rotations as well the constant fear that death was waiting right around the corner for them.

It's tense and exceptionally well-made, containing several unforgettable instances of masterful editing and camerawork. "The Hurt Locker" is also a lot more understated than I had originally anticipated, opting to focus more on its characters and their situations rather than its plotting.

Because of this human element, we become more involved in the action and curious about the fates of the characters, but it's also kind of noticeable that not much happens in the course of two hours.