The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker
You’ll Know When You’re In It

A robotic rover treads over rocky terrain. The mechanized scavenger scans the land with several on-board cameras as the intense heat beats down on the rocky terrain. At first glimpse, one might mistake this scene as something out of a science fiction film. The reality of the matter is, the desert landscape isn't Mars but Iraq, and the roving surveyor is not Wall-E but a bomb-disarming military tool.

This is the opening of Director Kathryn Bigelow’s film, The Hurt Locker. Set in 2004, the film follows a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit stationed in Iraq. Jeremy Renner (28 Weeks Later) plays Staff Sergeant William James, leader of this suicidal brigade of bomb disarmers. Under his command is Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty), each with their own interesting and unique outlooks on the job.

Bigelow succeeds in creating an intense, accurate portrayal of the American Soldier. Every unfamiliar face is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb in disguise. The film is intense and gripping while allowing for a healthy dose of character development to make us feel part of the experience. As James and his squad defuse car bombs and hidden explosives, we are right there with them – sweating and praying to God that they cut the right wire. If only it were that easy. This isn’t Mission: Impossible – this is the real deal, and things aren’t as simple as choosing the red wire or the green wire.

The Hurt Locker has been a pleasant surprise in an underwhelming summer bloated with hype and unrealized potential. The film is chock full with brilliant performances, with Jeremy Renner stealing the show as the multi-dimensional wild man William James. Don’t be surprised if you see some familiar faces, as The Hurt Locker boasts an impressive roster of cameos including Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes, Evangeline Lilly and David Morse.

In the burgeoning subgenre of Iraq War films, The Hurt Locker is a near-perfect example of how to take a dead horse and breathe new life into it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is Jeremy Renner’s breakout role. I loved him in 28 Weeks Later and this is only further proof that the guy has serious chops. If you have a chance to check out The Hurt Locker in theaters, don’t miss out. It’s one of the best films of this summer and worthy of your time and money.


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