The Hurt Locker (DVD)

Hotly tipped for Oscar success, The Hurt Locker follows an elite team of soldiers who deal with one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet – disarming the countless homemade bombs and devices that have claimed so many lives in Iraq these past few years. When Sgt. James (Renner) arrives to take over one such unit, his new comrades, Sanborn (Mackie) and Eldridge (Geraghty), are shocked at his recklessness and struggle to come to terms with the wild newcomer as their tour of duty nears its end.

What sets The Hurt Locker aside from most war films is that it doesn’t promote political statements or push an agenda. The question of whether we’re dealing with an unjust war isn’t neglected completely, but it doesn’t dominate. Instead the focus lies with the three leads, their gruelling experiences and the grim reality that every day on the job could be their last.

Director Kathryn Bigelow deserves high praise, reminding us of her action genre pedigree but demonstrating new heights to her talent. This isn’t a film that relies on countless explosions and bloody battles, but rather opts for something more visceral and immersive. The camerawork is tight and naturalistic; bringing the viewer up close to the action. Many scenes play out in real time, raising the tension to sky scraping levels. We’re asked to see something through from start to finish, be that a drawn out fire fight or painstaking bomb disarmament and the result is a nail biting, often exhausting experience.

The cast is superb, with Jeremy Renner particularly impressive as the reckless Sgt. James. Anthony Mackie also turns in a terrific performance as Sgt. Sanborn; James’ by the book comrade. There’s the expected personality clash, but before long the relationship between the pair becomes more complex and both men’s characters take unexpected turns later on in the film. Brian Geraghty completes the trio as Eldridge, the younger, more impressionable member of the team who serves as a healthy balance between his two comrades and their competing outlooks.

Surprisingly, the biggest names on the cast list are given relatively little screen time, with both Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes appearing in very brief if memorable cameos. This serves the film well however, as when the likes of Pearce are expendable, the odds are stacked firmly against the only half familiar leads.

Lost star Evangeline Lilly crops up in an even smaller capacity, playing Renner’s onscreen wife in an all too brief sequence showing the war loving soldier return home in-between rotations. However brief, this sequence boasts some highly memorable scenes as James struggles to realign himself with domestic humdrum, and in a particularly powerful scene, admits his only real passion lies in conflict.

An exhilarating and immersive experience; The Hurt Locker is one of the finest offerings of the year and a distinctly different war film.

Overall Verdict: Visually stunning, beautifully written and boasting terrific performances, with The Hurt Locker, Kathryn Bigelow may have very well turned in the film of her career.

Special Features:
Behind the scenes
Interviews with cast and crew

Reviewer: David Steele