Review of The Hurt Locker (2008) by Julian G — 01 Dec 2012

This is quite possibly the best war movie I've seen since "Full Metal Jacket," though it seems to be less about war than any other. There are no grand battle scenes and no swelled up music score to manipulate emotion. The suspense starts with the very first scene and never lets up. Kathryn Bigalow, one of the most underrated action film directors ever, uses mostly hand-held cameras, thus putting the viewer right in the middle of the action.

Jeremy Renner is amazing in the lead role of Staff Sgt. William James. With this one film, he has gone from frequent character actor ("What movie have I seen him in?") to a potential Best Actor Oscar nominee. His love for war is scary. He thrives on the thrill; it's his natural high. He seems more at ease when diffusing roadside bombs in Iraq than choosing a cereal while at the supermarket in civilian life.

One of the more intense scenes involves a desert shootout. There is no fast moving action; no loud music score or quick editing. We are there with the soldiers, as they take cover from terrorist snipers a few miles away across the open desert. The standoff lasts for hours as both sides wait patiently for the best shot. James and his team battle the insurgents as well as heat, fatigue, thirst, and flies.

This is truly a great film, destined to become a classic. It deserves a wide audience. Hopefully it doesn't get lost in the multiplexes among the Harry Potters and Transformers.