War can be as addictive as any drug. That's the premise behind Kathryn Bigelow's(Point Break) equally gripping Iraq War film, The Hurt Locker. This isn't your typical war film with hills to take and bridges to cross, although there is plenty of action to be sure. The tension here is literally around every corner. Every person on the street could be an enemy. And every step potentially your last. And every object potentially lethal. THe film follows an elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit on the cusp of the end of their rotation. When their experienced team leader, played by Guy Pearce in a cameo role, is suddenly killed in action, the team receives a new commander in Staff Sergeant William James(Jeremy Renner). Unfortunately for the men under his command, James is a reckless, cocky hothead with a penchant for ignoring protocol especially in the midst of an explosive situation. To say that there's tension between he and his squadmates who are just trying to get through their rotation unscathed? A bit of an understatement.
James immediately is at odds with Sergeant JT Sanborn(Anthony Mackie), a soldier used to doing things the safe way, by the book. A no nonsense take no crap guy, Sanborn sees right through James's act and knows they could be in real trouble with him at the helm and conspires to do something about it. The relationship between these two is the heart of the film, as the two toe the line between bitter enemy and a brotherhood that can only be forged in the heat of battle.
Let's be honest, the glut of Iraq War films that have come out recently have been less than inspiring. Whether it be Lions to Lambs, or Rendition, or Stop-Loss. They all have some agenda that seemed to take precedent over the story. The Hurt Locker pushes all that aside, bringing us an authentic take on what's really happening to the soldiers on the ground. This isn't just some game. It feels deadly real, and I defy you to not be sitting on the edge of your seat throughout. It feels like something is about to explode literally every moment of this film, and not just the IED's around every street corner but also in the powder keg between James and Sanborn.
I've been a reluctant fan of Anthony Mackie since he began as Papa Doc in Eminem's 8 Mile. He always seemed like someone on the brink, performing well in some decent to mediocre films like Haven, Half Nelson, and Eagle Eye. But here he finally makes that jump and puts on a performance that I'm sure will garner him some nominations in the supporting category at the end of the year. But the real stand out is Jeremy Renner, an actor I've just barely noticed in the past but will be keeping an eye on from here on out. He carries and steals every single scene, whether it's defusing a bomb in the midst of a firefight or playing soccer with a young Iraqi child.
I remember when I saw Jarhead a couple of years ago, and I loved it(at first) because it wasn't your typical war film, but focused on the people inside the uniform. But for me it was too slow and plodding, and frankly boring. The Hurt Locker is the perfect combination of character and pulse pounding action that is exactly what I want any future films about the current wars to be. Kathryn Bigelow clearly spared no expense in making this movie as authentic as possible(Renner worked with an EOD unit and film was shot in the Middle East), and it shows in every single shot. In every shard of shrapnel and every grain of sand, the attention to detail shows.
For those who have been turned off the other Iraq war films, do yourself a favor and run to your nearest theater to check this out. Even if you gotta drive a bit further, do it. I promise it will change your mind and you will not be disappointed.
9/10
