A Serviceable Action Film; it is Not a Great Film.

Rating: 6/10 (31 July 2010)

For the most part, Oscars awards are not correlated with best film of the year  Gladiator, Titanic, and Crash should not even have been nominated, let alone win the Best Picture. Well, as it turns out, I did not see Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker, until after it won the Best Picture. During the ceremony, I routed for the film; I found James Cameroon's Avatar (the other main contender) to be undeserving of the award. Even without seeing film, I rationalized that The Hurt Locker-- an Independent, critically acclaim film – would be far more deserving winner than the special effects extravaganza.
Well, after watching the film, I learn a valuable lesson: to not endorse/champion an unseen film. Cameroon did a better film than his ex- wife. Action wise, Bigelow matches Cameroon; in fact, she manages to out due Cameroon's specialty. Unlike the blue alien's action sequences, there is intensity and unpredictability in the Iraq War's action sequences. There is a more visceral reaction in the bombing sequences than in any of the dragons and mecha scenes. Judging solely on action, The Hurt Locker succeeds as an action film.
Aside from some of the minor characters, there is solid acting in the award winner, unlike the box office record holder. There is not as much outrageous and corny acting, as compared to Cameroon's film. Jeremy Ratner could act and be the lead of a film—something that Sam Worthington has proved in his short Hollywood career. Avatar does have some notable actors and actresses, but they are hinder by the poor dialogue. Although far from being perfect (there are excreting conversations), it is not hinder by its dialogue.
If the acting, dialogue, and actions sequences are better than Avatar, how could it be an inferior film? The story is a complete mess  There are many scenes and many interactions that do not appear to belong in the same film. The film's message is not only convey in a blunt manner, it is also done in a poor manner. Yes, Avatar is Pocahontas with aliens – but it does not hamper the film's goal: to be a popcorn spectacle. The Hurt Locker feels like two films competing with each other. On one end, there is the well done action film; on the other end, there is the poorly done drama. For every exhilarating action scene, there is a dull conversation or an absurd plot development.
The Hurt Locker is a decent action film, but nowhere near being a classic or Best Picture winner. It should not have the won the award. It does not mean that Avatar should have been granted the award; instead, the award should have gone to more deserving films, such as Inglorious Baterds (awaits the backlash).