The Hurt Locker (2009)

[soupcan]

An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. 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. James behaves as if he's indifferent to death. 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. Written by BWR Public Relations

Edited July 21, 2009 by Guest

[soupcan]

I really enjoyed this movie.

Like 'Blackhawk Down' you really get a sense of the chaos and fear that must exist in Iraq. More than the war though, what you get from this movie is an outstanding performance from an actor I've never heard of, Jeremy Renner, as Sergeant William James.

Renner gives you everything he's got. You understand why Sergeant James is the way he is and why does the things he does. No hard sell from the actor here. You just get it.

The scenes are tense and believable and the supporting cast does their job. It does have a few scenes that go too long but what movie doesn't?

All in all a very good movie and I highly recommend it. I give it 4 IEDS.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

So much better than Blackhawk Down it's not even in the same league.

Disturbing, engrossing, scary. Terrific.

[TransMonk]

How violent is this movie?

My special lady friend vetoed renting this over the past weekend claiming that it would be too violent.

Is this something I'm going to have to watch without her?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Some gunplay, a few human explosions, a bare-knuckle fight... but the threat of violence is greater than the actual gore.

[Guest sharpie]

Saw it this weekend. Really really good. Loved the contrast between Iraq and the scenes back home.

[ashie62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Some gunplay, a few human explosions, a bare-knuckle fight... but the threat of violence is greater than the actual gore.

Certainly no worse than "Bruno"

[Guest themetfairy]

I can appreciate that this was a good movie, but I didn't love it.

There is one scene that's gory to the point where I couldn't watch it (and usually I can make myself watch just about anything).

[ashie62]

themetfairy wrote: I can appreciate that this was a good movie, but I didn't love it. There is one scene that's gory to the point where I couldn't watch it (and usually I can make myself watch just about anything).

Let me guess, the human bomb removal?

This film should get an Oscar nomination for best movie

[Guest themetfairy]

I didn't want to give anything away.

But yes - I couldn't watch that scene.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Finally saw this.

Holy crap, is this good and disquieting. And Renner's better than even Soupy made me expect.

[Frayed Knot]

soupcan wrote: Like 'Blackhawk Down' you really get a sense of the chaos and fear that must exist in Iraq.

Unlike 'Blackhawk', however, this one doesn't seem to want to turn war into a music video.
Very different IMO and MUCH better.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Courtesy of Irish and NPR, a tidy sum-up of the accuracy issues some vets seem to have with the flick.

[soupcan]

Frayed Knot wrote: soupcan wrote: Like 'Blackhawk Down' you really get a sense of the chaos and fear that must exist in Iraq. Unlike 'Blackhawk', however, this one doesn't seem to want to turn war into a music video. Very different IMO and MUCH better.

'Blackhawk' had its flaws but I thought it was very successful in relating the tense, chaotic environmemt of an urban war. That was the basis of my comparison.

[metirish]

soupcan wrote: soupcan wrote: Like 'Blackhawk Down' you really get a sense of the chaos and fear that must exist in Iraq. Unlike 'Blackhawk', however, this one doesn't seem to want to turn war into a music video. Very different IMO and MUCH better. 'Blackhawk' had its flaws but I thought it was very successful in relating the tense, chaotic environmemt of an urban war. That was the basis of my comparison.

And you have experienced such wars in tony Westport?

[soupcan]

metirish wrote: And you have experienced such wars in tony Westport?

Have you so soon forgotten the saga of 'The Douchebag Neighbors'?





You're just full of piss and vinegar lately aren't you?

[Frayed Knot]

soupcan wrote: soupcan wrote: Like 'Blackhawk Down' you really get a sense of the chaos and fear that must exist in Iraq. Unlike 'Blackhawk', however, this one doesn't seem to want to turn war into a music video. Very different IMO and MUCH better. 'Blackhawk' had its flaws but I thought it was very successful in relating the tense, chaotic environmemt of an urban war. That was the basis of my comparison.

Obviously there were similarities. I just thought Blackhawk created its tension in a much more style-over-substance, video-gamey kind of way as opposed to the more human approach in HL.
Seems to me that I had forgotten almost all of what happened during Blackhawk shortly after the movie was over.