The Hurt Locker

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty

Plot Synopsis:

When a new sergeant, James, takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James’ true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever. [Uncredited, WorstPreviews.com]

Review:

Finally, we’re starting to hit the real films of 2009.  This summer has been plagued by pretty lousy “event” films.  Most of the pretty horrible and underwhelming.  While I enjoyed G. I. Joe for what it was, The Hurt Locker arrives and shows us what a real war movie is.  Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark, Point Break) gives us her best work to date with The Hurt Locker, bringing us the best modern warfare film since 2001′s Black Hawk Down.

The Hurt Locker is a film that works best if you going in knowing as little as possible.  While I had some things spoiled by reading reviews and blogs, the film still worked.  However, I think if I had gone in knowing nothing a few moments could have had a significantly more powerful impact.

Kathryn Bigelow has really turned heads with this movie.  She’s always been an interesting director.  Near Dark is one of my favorite movies of all time.  Point Break is a great time.  But, she hasn’t come through with an Oscar worthy film yet.  Well, that is, until The Hurt Locker.  If this film doesn’t give her a well deserved Best Director and Best Picture nod at the Oscars, I will stop watching the Academy Awards.  The intensity and emotional impact of the film enhances the action sequences.  This the first well-balanced film of 2009.

Jeremy Renner is the one to watch here.  Think Tom Cruise’s Maverick character from Top Gun but with actual depth.  He’s fun to watch and very engaging.  Also, there is that layer of unpredictability and recklessness that makes the character so compelling.  You really don’t know what to expect from this guy.  All other supporting characters are great and help elevate this film to a level above just a war film.  These are real guys in real situations, and you can relate to all the characters you’re introduced to.

There are many more things I absolutely love about the film, but don’t want to give anything away.  The Hurt Locker has a handful of memorable scenes and action set pieces.  Also, the intensity of each scene had me on the edge of my seat.  From the music to the editing, The Hurt Locker is an intense experience worth having in the theater.  If you can see it on the big screen, do it.

Kathryn Bigelow has just pole vaulted up into my favorite directors top 10.  I’ve always had respect for her films, but only a few can be considered great films.  Until now she’s been hit or miss.  But, with The Hurt Locker, she’s delivered a masterpiece.  One of the few great war movies and hands down the best film that depicts warfare in Iraq.  The Hurt Locker is a refreshing standout in a ho hum Summer movie season.

Rated R for war violence and language.

The Hurt Locker is the first Iraq War Film that actually takes place 100% in Iraq.  This looks interesting, I’m really looking forward to seeing this on the big screen.  Directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Near Dark, Point Break)from a screenplay by Mark Boal and starring Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Jeremy Renner, and Evangeline Lilly.  Full Synopsis and stills after the jump.

Plot Synopsis:

Baghdad, 2007: Not where you want to be.

The cradle of civilization has become a city of bombs. Every fifteen minutes an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) explodes with deadly impact … or must be disarmed.

Enter the bomb squad – the only unit trained to disarm these deadly devices. B-Company is the elite of the elite, running to ticking bombs when everyone else runs away. Still, the daily confrontations have begun to take their toll on two of its best soldiers, Sergeant Sanborn, an ex-Ranger who never threw a punch he didn’t think was well-deserved, and Specialist Eldridge, a young Socrates with a rifle, who believes all men are created equal – except the ones in his M4 scope.

With only 38 days left in their tour, Sanborn and Eldridge are forced to work with a new team leader, a mysterious tech named William James who treats the job like a cowboy going for a Sunday ride. James is good – maybe too good – and his strut scares the other men. It’s almost as if he enjoys toying with death.

As the insurgency escalate their attacks and the bomb squad must face increasingly tougher odds in the dangerous game of cat and mouse, James’ strange urge for danger pushes Sanborn and Eldridge to the edge of acceptable risk – and then takes them way beyond what they thought possible … until they are forced to choose between following James and saving their own lives.

With just 16 days left, the team receives its hardest mission yet: charge into the blazing aftermath of an exploded oil tanker. James is ready. Sanborn puts on his gloves. Eldridge cocks his rifle. And they go. The three men charge into that smoky inferno … shots ring out … a body falls … and only two men come walking back.

Now, they’re all in the Hurt Locker. And there are still 15 days left in the tour. [TrailerAddict]