The Hurt Locker Is Intense!

Never really letting up

BY COLIN ENQUIST

The Hurt Locker is the newest film by director Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break). Mark Boal wrote the script, a freelance writer who was actually over in Iraq with a bomb squad crew. The source for the story comes from Boal’s time embedded in that squad. Jeremy Renner (28 Weeks Later) leads the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team that consists of two other team members in Anthony Mackie (Eagle Eye) and Brian Geraghty (We Are Marshall). We follow the final 36 days of the EOD team as they defuse bombs, avoid sniper fire and chase insurgents throughout Iraq.

Straight from the get go the adrenaline is pumping at a near breaking point. Bigelow never takes her foot of the accelerator until much later in the film. The clichéd bomb dismantling (you know the one, countdown clock, blue wire/red wire, which one do I cut!?) was thrown out the window and it really feels like you are riding along with the EOD squad, who do not have to tell you that the entire squad could die if Staff Sgt. James (Renner) clips the wrong wire. Thrusting us into 3 situations back to back at the beginning of the film that shows us the dismantling of a bomb(s) and how the team works together was some of the most intense moments I have ever witnessed on screen.

The Hurt Locker's only downside to having the tension ratcheted so high early that when it does down shift, it feels like the film is moving in slow motion but in reality it is just giving us a few minutes to collect ourselves before we are on the edge of our seats again.

Jeremy Renner is truly remarkable as the cocky team leader. His compatriots really are not sure what to make of him, and even at one point consider killing him (as they point out, accidents happen in Iraq), but they must trust him with their lives just as James trusts his with them. Bigelow uses a unique way of progressing each relationship of the EOD squad characters. Yes some of the characterization is based on the dialogue but a lot if it is how they act towards each other during combat missions, making them feel like they are in a bonding moment when in reality they are just doing their jobs. Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce and David Morse all have small parts in the film. The parts are so small that you almost don’t notice them.

James’ psychological state has his squad question him throughout the film and in the end he chooses to return for another tour of duty because he feels his life is meaningless unless he is out diffusing bombs, getting his adrenaline rush. The film does not take any political stance and the use of another war would have made this film no less effective.

I was so drained at the end of this film, being literally on the edge of your seat for almost the entire 2 hours and 11 minutes. You must see this film, if only for the intense first half of the film which will leave your heart pounding in your chest. The film depicts the combat a soldier must face, not only on the ground but from within. It has been a lucky couple of weeks for me when it comes to the movies and this one is right behind Moon in my opinion for the Best Picture of the Year award at the Oscars.

4.5 out of 5