The Hurt Locker (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Joe M

  
  Insulting to the military and laughable in its attempts to be realistic, because of course the way you defuse seven artillery shells wired together is to go lay on top of them them with a pair of wire cutters and try and cut the wires to the blasting caps. I also learned that even EOD… More
  Insulting to the military and laughable in its attempts to be realistic, because of course the way you defuse seven artillery shells wired together is to go lay on top of them them with a pair of wire cutters and try and cut the wires to the blasting caps. I also learned that even EOD guys are well versed in the use of 50 cal and can hit multiple moving targets at 500 yards.

• Dan S

  
  One of the best films of the year, with courageous performances from both Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. It's a near-perfect action/war film that is intense throughout and tough to watch at times. This is the third best film so far this year, right behind "Inglourious… More
  One of the best films of the year, with courageous performances from both Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. It's a near-perfect action/war film that is intense throughout and tough to watch at times. This is the third best film so far this year, right behind "Inglourious Basterds' and "District 9" by just a bit. This is definitely a movie that should be included when the "Best War Movies" lists are compiled. Although it lacks a little in character development, the brutal action that is captured from a first-person scope by director Bigelow is completely riveting, and never for a second uninteresting. Hands down the best war film since "Black Hawk Down" - no question.

• Red L

  
  Normally I don't watch movies about war. Perhaps wars have to be fought, but I don't have to watch movies glorifying wars. Yet this is an interesting film. Primarily about what it takes for one particular soldier to be an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert (the guy in the… More
  Normally I don't watch movies about war. Perhaps wars have to be fought, but I don't have to watch movies glorifying wars. Yet this is an interesting film. Primarily about what it takes for one particular soldier to be an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert (the guy in the bomb suit dismantling bombs).

• Michael M

  
  An amazing drama war film, well deserving of the Oscar for Best Picture. The shaky camerawork is unnecesary but apart from that, The Hurt Locker is an amazing graphic, intense entertainment experience that is structured on the lines of a Spileberg film.

• Daniel P

  
  I still don't think this was better than Avatar, but it was gritty and difficult and it stared the "realities" of the Iraq War in the face. I put "realities" in quotations because it's not likely that anyone, in any army unit - particularly a bomb squad,… More
  I still don't think this was better than Avatar, but it was gritty and difficult and it stared the "realities" of the Iraq War in the face. I put "realities" in quotations because it's not likely that anyone, in any army unit - particularly a bomb squad, in a war as sensitive as this one - gets away with being so cavalier. In fact, insubordination generally has a price. But what's important about this film is the ultra-talented bomb technician that Renner portrays, with that layer of vulnerability barely beneath the bravado on which he's made his name. A little less believable than John Wayne, but perhaps only because our memories are so fresh. Well-acted, and with the appearance of a documentary, The Hurt Locker is a gripping, exciting and moving watch. But it's not a better movie than Avatar.

• Eric A

  
  I thought it was okay. I see hints of what the hype was all about, but I feel like i'm missing something.

• Adam K

  
  "The Hurt Locker" is a film that hasn't been seen for a long time, and I'm pleased it has finally arrived. Winner of the academy award for Best Picture "Hurt Locker" delivers a gripping, harrowing story that keeps you involved and in the action, as you… More
  "The Hurt Locker" is a film that hasn't been seen for a long time, and I'm pleased it has finally arrived. Winner of the academy award for Best Picture "Hurt Locker" delivers a gripping, harrowing story that keeps you involved and in the action, as you feel yourself de-arming a bomb. Kathryn Bigelow, the ex-wife of James Cameron won best director for her excellent look at the Iraq War, beating her ex-husband and proving that "Avatar" was nowhere near as good as everyone thought. Bigelow directs the film beautifully, getting everything almost right, the action, the angles, the atmosphere. They all fit together and create a smooth and enjoyable ride of a film. An enormous amount of credit must go to Mark Boal, writer of the screenplay and author of the original book based on the wartime experiences of Boal as a journalist following a group of bomb dis-armers in Iraq. The film does just that, follow a group of bomb dis-armers as they work in Iraq. It's a simple story, but it works simply as well. Cinematography is a must, as is the majority of the acting, the main characters played by Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie are relatively unknown, something which worked very well with a few big names to add on the credits list. Despite some people calling it an action film, it is not. It is almost a biography of a general soldier in this role. The action is superb and it adds to the tension and atmosphere, but it's the still moments as well which make it what it is. Not a box office hit like Avatar, "Hurt Locker" was an excellent film which proved that having millions of pounds worth of CGI and stupid special effects and 3D didn't actually make a film good. What made a film good was when everything worked, a great story, first class cinematography, acting and direction. **** 4 Star

• Jameson W

  
  A stunning film! Brilliant performances by the main characters, Jeremy Renner in particular. An awesome script, intense story, beautiful cinematography....this film has all the elements for a great film. This is a an extremely well-rounded film. This is one of the most thrilling,… More
  A stunning film! Brilliant performances by the main characters, Jeremy Renner in particular. An awesome script, intense story, beautiful cinematography....this film has all the elements for a great film. This is a an extremely well-rounded film. This is one of the most thrilling, suspenseful, and intense films I have ever seen. Much of the movie revolves around the main character dismantling bombs and the life of him and his team. As the music dies and the sweat rolls down his face, the intensity is unlike anything I've seen before. The Hurt Locker delivers this emotion from the opening scene. Brilliant! My absolute favorite thing about this film is the character depth and development. Each of the three main characters display a unique personality, opposite from the other two; each actor brilliantly delivers a fantastic performance to show this. As the film progresses and gets more and more intense, these personality differences come out and adds a whole other dimension to the film, which in my opinion, is the most thrilling and sensational aspect of this film. Another special thing about this film is the cinematography. It is simply unbelievable. The scenery, setting, atmosphere, extras.....it truly allows for the story to tell itself. With all this being said, I must admit that the first time I saw this film, I was not completely in sync with it's praise. I liked it alot, but for some reason I found myself asking, "That's it?" As it won the Oscar for Best Picture, I was confused as to why. 2009 was a weak year, in my opinion, and I knew Avatar would never win Best Picture, so I supposed this was the "best of the rest." Let's just say I now no longer feel the same way. I think that I went into this film with certain expectations, so when it was differnt, I missed the point. But after a second time, I can see the brilliance in this film! The Hurt Locker, sorry for dissing you before! I still don't know though....Avatar vs. The Hurt Locker??

• Kristijonas F

  
  Definitely the best film about the Iraq War thus far, the Hurt Locker offers the thrills, suspense, and action of any top-grade Hollywood flick, yet is nonetheless bogged down by such obvious dramatizations that it loses the opportunity to be an actually *realistic* take on the… More
  Definitely the best film about the Iraq War thus far, the Hurt Locker offers the thrills, suspense, and action of any top-grade Hollywood flick, yet is nonetheless bogged down by such obvious dramatizations that it loses the opportunity to be an actually *realistic* take on the conflict.

• Kase V

  
  The Hurt Locker is one of the most thrilling war films I've ever seen, and for me, it came out of nowhere. I didn't know anything about this movie before watching it (except for the hype), and I was not disappointed. Jeremy Renner gives a very memorable performance as an… More
  The Hurt Locker is one of the most thrilling war films I've ever seen, and for me, it came out of nowhere. I didn't know anything about this movie before watching it (except for the hype), and I was not disappointed. Jeremy Renner gives a very memorable performance as an unhinged soldier looking for his next adrenaline fix, no matter the risks. I feel it was Oscar-worthy. Guy Pierce and Ralph Fiennes weren't bad additions either. I really enjoyed the 'documentary' feel the film cinematography was given, it worked to perfection. There were some beautiful shots, which I assume is very hard to do in a war-torn Iraq. The editing work was also as good as it gets, a well deserved Oscar. A phenomenal film, and a near-perfect War film.

• Jennifer X

  
  I maintain that it takes a lot of patience to get through this, because The Hurt Locker is not an easy watch. It's a tone poem if anything, about the gamelike, horrifying yet exciting arena of war.

• Brad W

  
  Just next to Black Hawk Down and The Kingdom as the king of the Iraq war films. The plot was great, even if slow at times, a truly genius and moving plot. The acting in tremendous, one of the highlights of the movie. The intensity in these scenes is great, I was really scared for… More
  Just next to Black Hawk Down and The Kingdom as the king of the Iraq war films. The plot was great, even if slow at times, a truly genius and moving plot. The acting in tremendous, one of the highlights of the movie. The intensity in these scenes is great, I was really scared for these guys. Overall this truly shows the life for a bomb defuser in Iraq.

• Steven C

  
  Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is so emotionally resonant on every conceivable level, and with the films conclusion, the mark it leaves on the brain and the soul is undeniable. Besides the film being so well written, directed, shot, edited, and acted, it's… More
  Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" is so emotionally resonant on every conceivable level, and with the films conclusion, the mark it leaves on the brain and the soul is undeniable. Besides the film being so well written, directed, shot, edited, and acted, it's also a study on communication and human behavior. The film is also a study on the Iraq War and it's effects on people, culture, psychology and most interestingly, the material- like weapons, supplies, locations and availability. Obviously, "The Hurt Locker" has many sides and is an immensely rewarding experience with each viewing.

• Albert K

  
  First off, I give Kathryn Bigelow a standing ovation for outstanding direction. A phenomenal achievement. This movie is created perfectly; the editing, the cinematography... Kathryn Bigelow brings us into the tense and dangerous environment of these characters. You can grasp the… More
  First off, I give Kathryn Bigelow a standing ovation for outstanding direction. A phenomenal achievement. This movie is created perfectly; the editing, the cinematography... Kathryn Bigelow brings us into the tense and dangerous environment of these characters. You can grasp the tension that this movie throws at you. HOWEVER, I do not agree this deserves best picture or best screenplay. The dialogue is awful. And though this movie was directed to a perfection, the plot was not engaging enough. When there were action scenes, the audience would be in that exact situation, panting and sweating just like the characters, but when the plot advanced, there was a disconnection due to many different factors. Overall, I highly recommend this great but flawed movie.

• Jason C

  
  This is a great war flick. It's a movie that actually lives up to it's accolades.

• Zach B

  
  To be honest, I entered this War Epic with one question: How could any movie beat Inglorious Basterds at the Academy Awards for best picture? Well, after viewing this film, while I do not agree that it won best picture, it sure as hell deserved to win Best Director (and I am glad that… More
  To be honest, I entered this War Epic with one question: How could any movie beat Inglorious Basterds at the Academy Awards for best picture? Well, after viewing this film, while I do not agree that it won best picture, it sure as hell deserved to win Best Director (and I am glad that it did). The main force, I believe, that this film has is that it was released during a time inwhich we are having tensions with Iraq, and the fact that this film does show what it is like. More specifically for someone that does the beyond dangerous job of being a bomb defuse man. Now, the main highlights and main reasons to watch this film has to be the magnificent cinematography, well acted, and the tension that starts from the first scene of the film when you read the quote describing war to drugs to the ending. Now, there are two war films out there: The ones the depict war in a serious light, and those that have fun with the idea. This has to be tied with the great war films of the first group as being the best.

• Anthony L

  
  The Hurt Locker's main strength is that of portrayal of situation rather than character development. It's well acted but the characters are not quite as believable as they should be. It's a great film but I'm not sure it should have won best screenplay or best… More
  The Hurt Locker's main strength is that of portrayal of situation rather than character development. It's well acted but the characters are not quite as believable as they should be. It's a great film but I'm not sure it should have won best screenplay or best picture for that matter, although it does look good. I really liked the pace too, it is so intense and full of suspense, it's quite an exhausting experience but a fine modern war film. It is over-hyped but is still very good.

• paul s

  
  The smoke has cleared and all the Avatar haters have skipped merrily into the sunset, so.... it's time for me to have my say. The Hurt Locker is a very good film. Note I didn't say "great". Is it Oscar worthy? Considering some of the past winners - (Life Is… More
  The smoke has cleared and all the Avatar haters have skipped merrily into the sunset, so.... it's time for me to have my say. The Hurt Locker is a very good film. Note I didn't say "great". Is it Oscar worthy? Considering some of the past winners - (Life Is Beautiful comes to mind - a film, like this one, that I enjoyed, but didn't knock my socks off) I have to say sure, why not? Is it a classic film that defines a genre, or revolutionizes filmmaking in general? Nope. Having not been in Iraq, all I can do is say that based on several other films this seems to do a very good job of portraying the hell that is war. It shows the claustrophobia of all the streets where you never know who is watching and may have a gun pointed your way. Similarly, due to the language barrier, you get several scenes where you just aren't sure of the home folk's motivations. Are they innocent bystanders, or insurgents just waiting to make a move? This makes for great tension and good theater. The storyline tells one story while really being about something else. It concerns Bravo company, a special forces unit whose soul purpose is to disarm bombs. You get to see the procedure in the film's first set piece, which is important because when a new munition's expert (read bomb disarmer) enters the mix, it is easy to see that he is NOT into following procedure. From this you gather that he either has a death wish, or is an adreniline junky. Either way he is constantly putting the rest of the squad in harm's way. But since he is the ranking officer, the rest of the squad has to follow his lead. There is a tenseness to many of the street scenes, but others fall flat (like the drunken fight scene in the barracks - I have no idea what the director was trying to say there, and it certainly made no lasting impression on me) - or the too long scene where the squad has the task of investigating a bomb site (which leads to the adreniline junky leader once again putting the rest of the squad in harm's way and ironically then having the leader shoot one of his own squad in a firefight). The film then rallies in the final Iraq scene where an innocent Iraqi is strapped with C4 which the disarmer is unable to difuse in time. Some pretty compelling stuff here, so why not a higher rating? Scenes that went on too long, like the bonding scene where the squad is pinned down in the desert after helping some Brit mercenaries. All the waiting after they finally take out the snipers in the building didn't rachet up the tension at all. Secondly, the bit of contrivance where the company psych is challenged by one of the squad to get out from behind a desk. Of course he takes up the challenge and - gee I didn't see this one coming - steps on a mine and goes boom. Thirdly, and probably the most important - The HBO mini-series Generation Kill did the whole Iraq thing equally as well, if not better. If a film cannot surpass what you can see on TV, then perhaps garnering an Oscar for best film is a sad indictment on the state of filmmaking - or a realization that television, especially when given the time to develope charactors and a story, can exceed its big brother. If given the choice of watching either the Oscar winning Hurt Locker, or Generation Kill over again, I'd go for GK hands down.

• Jon L

  
  The first thing I noticed about this movie was the wonderful photography. It's well shot and has a great perspective on the war and the soldiers who brave it. It has a non-Hollywood style to it and was a little long-winded for my liking, but it maintained suspense and was an… More
  The first thing I noticed about this movie was the wonderful photography. It's well shot and has a great perspective on the war and the soldiers who brave it. It has a non-Hollywood style to it and was a little long-winded for my liking, but it maintained suspense and was an okay film overall.

• Cynthia S

  
  Oh lordy lordy this was good!! The suspense was almost too much to bear. I cannot even imagine what kind of person can take on a job that consists of dismantling bombs. Watching the guys in this movie made my stomach tie up in knots. Very well done!!

Read all 20 featured audience ratings