Pretenders from contenders....

Rating: Null/10 (27 January 2010)

When I logged on to IMDb to check out some specifics about The Hurt Locker, I had no real intention of writing a review. I was shocked by how many people didn't "get" the film. I thought the film was a slam-dunk and represented Bigelow finally fulfilling the promise of "Near Dark". Admittedly, I never questioned the films accuracy (though I figured it probably wasn't accurate- few films are). To me, it's more important for the film to be good- and this one is. It's the tightest film I've seen in a long time- simple and straightforward- but with enough depth to merit repeat watchings. I just didn't expect it to be a measuring stick for film knowledge- the kind of film that exposes some peoples' lack of film instincts- much in the way Hitchcock's films did when they were first released (remember that he never won the accolades in his day that he deserved). For serious cinephiles- don't miss The Hurt Locker- you won't get another one like this for a long time.