The tension is not knife worthy

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2012)

The Hurt Locker has been hailed as one of the best war films of all time, and while that may be a kind remark stretched out too far, it is easily one to commend and one of the best dramatizations of the Iraq War yet. Its high point is its suspense, conveyed in a terrifyingly realistic state. Its characters are also given close attention to, making the experience such a versatile one, that sometimes, it is too good to be true.
Our main protagonist is Sgt. William James (Renner), a new-coming member of the US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in Iraq circa 2004. He is quickly, yet somewhat hastily greeted by Sergeant J.T. Sanborn (Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Geraghty), informing them that he is not there to replace their recently fallen man but to simply get the job done. Right off the bat, he is deeper than the average cookie-cutter action hero, more charismatic, more charming, and bolder, always landing with a loud bang. Renner is a beautiful addition to a film already soaring with anticipation.
The film follows the three's adventures defusing bombs, hanging out, exchanging conversations, some of them sounding like they could be final ones, and many capturing poignancy without even remote hesitation. Director Kathryn Bigelow, ex-wife of James Cameron, director of Avatar, who she beat out for both Best Picture and Director, has a unique philosophy on filmmaking. When asked about her specialty in film in an interview, she replied "I really think it's to explore and push the medium. It's not about breaking gender roles or genre traditions." I agree with her very much so, although it is a bit numbing when we see a film break so bravely from redundant plot points and genre expectations. Bigelow is more concerned with pushing the envelope, rather than opening a new one. Sometimes, it's best to go further, instead of breathlessly trying to create something so different it becomes a convoluted and restless experience.
The Hurt Locker wins with its suspense. Many scenes are captured with such a sure-fire realism to how brutal, unpredictable, and nerve-racking combat is. Then again, how would I know? I've never been drafted or even stepped on land full of decrepit buildings and an endless landscape of sand. I can't fully comment on the film's accuracy or even compare it to the true atmosphere of Iraq or any other war, but I will say that this is on par with my assumption of life on the battlefield.
There is one minor quandary I can pick with the film, and it is its refusal to go further in its commentary on war. I've always wondered what happens when a soldier gets assigned a mission or a task that he does not feel is morally or ethically correct in his eyes. Of course, refusal of order could get you kicked out for good or even scolded mercilessly (again, so I've heard), but what happens when you're assigned a job you almost can't bring yourself to do? Also, it sometimes seems that Eldrige, James, and Samborn have no opinion on the war they are fighting. How does it feel to be manipulated by the government and almost robbed of individualism? As soon as you place the uniform on, you are one of the crowd. The Hurt Locker at least recognizes the beauty of individualism, even though you occupy a sort of ordinary quality.
The Hurt Locker is beautifully filmed, even with its unstill videography, which I've grown so accustomed to, sometimes seeing a cinematically directed picture feels unnatural. Everything is captured so acutely and professionally, that we are not confused, but delightfully informed on what is where and who is who. The cinematography, by Mark Boal respectively, always provides us with the most unsettling array of shots, quaintly edited together to provide nice coherency, and the acting and presentation is all beautiful and immersing. Just when you think the film has run out of steam, it quickly picks up, mostly during its final scenes, which capture emotions and realism in a stunningly abnormal way. Despite all those remarkable qualities, this is almost not a film to enjoy, but a film to witness.
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty. Director: Kathryn Bigelow.