Director Kathryn Bigelow delivers visceral suspense with this graphic, subversive portrait of courage under fire, focusing on Bravo Company technicians of the elite U.S. Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit as they dismantle bombs in one of the world's most dangerous places, Iraq. In the opening combat sequence, a three-man squad loses their cautious commander, Sgt. Matt Thompson (Guy Pearce), as he's trying to detonate a street bomb. Arriving to take his place is cocky Staff Sgt. Will James (Jeremy Renner), whose fearlessness—or is it recklessness?—stuns and frightens his men: Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Eldridge (Brian Geraghty), who have only 38 days left in their tour of duty. In one mission, James takes off his bulky protective suit to disarm a car that's rigged with explosives; in another, he helps a frightened man remove a bomb harness locked to his body—with the timer ticking. As James, Sanborn, and Eldridge ride around in their Humvee, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tension-filled. Bigelow and journalist-turned-screenwriter Mark Boal (who was embedded with a bomb squad in Baghdad in 2004) begin with a quote from journalist Chris Hedges that “war is a drug”—a lethal addiction—which is the film's overarching theme. Using handheld cameras, rapid pacing, and striking sound effects, The Hurt Locker is nerve-wracking and undeniably riveting. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary with director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal, a behind-the-scenes featurette (13 min.), an image gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for one of 2009's best films.] (S. Granger)
The Hurt Locker
Summit, 131 min., R, DVD: $26.99, Blu-ray: $34.99, Jan. 12 Volume 25, Issue 1
The Hurt Locker
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