The Hurt Locker

UK Release Date: 28 August 2009

Certification: 15

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Brian Geraghty, Evangeline Lily, Anthony Mackie, David Morse, Guy Pearce, Jeremy Renner

Rating: 84%

'You don't have to be a hero to do this job. But it helps.'

Review:

The Hurt Locker is a modern day war classic. It was critically acclaimed, winning a total of six Oscars including best picture and best director for Kathryn Bigelow (who at the time became the first female director to win the award). However, the movie is unquestionably about the affects of the Iraq War on US soldiers and how for some people it became an addiction. 

The cast assembled for The Hurt Locker is now filled with A-list actors but at the time was cast away for not having any so called big names as leads. Never the less Jeremy Renner stands out as I believe he isn't 'acting' and is instead just enjoying the role - yet he can still show a caring, emotional side to Staff Sergeant William James as he begins to discover his true purpose. Anthony Mackie gives a stellar performance very early in his career solidifying him as a brilliant actor. His portrayal is moving providing an authentic depiction of a soldier's emotions during war.

Brian Geraghty does a great at portraying the mental health issues that soldiers go through. The rest of the cast are all superb especially Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce who are witty considering what their characters are going through. Without a doubt the performances are the reason that the suspense felt throughout is so real. 

My main compliment of The Hurt Locker is the phenomenal cinematography. The movie is beautifully shot with the sniper scene being the perfect example as it shows the devastation of war combined with brilliant camera work. At times it's shot like a documentary with the shaky cam style, which came to prominence due to The Office (US). The sound mixing is spot on, the design of the bomb suit is brilliant and to top it all off slo-mo is used exceptionally well, making shots feel just that little bit more potent.

Marco Beltrami's terrific score clearly benefits The Hurt Locker. I'm a huge fan of Beltrami's work which includes A Quiet Place, Logan and Le Mans '66 and his standards are maintained.  'A Guest in my House, 'The Hurt Locker' and 'The Way I Am' all standout for being shrilling pieces that can draw you in or keep you on the edge of your seat. 

One criticism I've seen the movie receive quite frequently is that the story isn't an accurate experience of what the Iraq War was like. But at the end of the day it's a movie that's job is to entertain and The Hurt Locker certainly does that. Also, the movie deals with death really well showing in some cases the horror and grief that is felt and at other times how you have to dismiss it and continue with, what is ultimately your job. 

Definitely one of my favourite modern war movies.