Review of The Hurt Locker (2008) by No N — 07 Sep 2012

This movie is one of the few that genuinely works as a big exciting action movie and a profound war drama. I know people throw that description around a lot, but here it seems appropriate. By no means is The Hurt Locker boring- it's probably one of the most interesting, edge-of-your seat films ever made.

But it also take great strides toward artistry- the motivations behind the characters take on an unusual philosophical sophistication, and watching it you begin to understand how these characters are responding to the conflict.

It's not particularly political- it prefers to focus on the notion of war itself rather than the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In doing so, it prepares to stand the test of time, and that's what renders it great.

The Hurt Locker is not Saving Private Ryan, nor is it Apocalypse now. The Hurt Locker paves its own road, and in doing so turns out quite grand.