Powerful antiwar movie among the best ever made.

Rating: 10/10 (16 August 2009)

I believe Kathryn Bigelow's film will become one of the most important anti-war films ever made. I include in this category "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Paths of Glory," "The Dear Hunter," "Dr. Strangelove," (although Kubrick's masterpiece is in a class by itself), "Slaughterhouse-five," and "Catch 22." Bigelow exposes man's capacity to become physically addicted to mortal danger, including the hallmark of such addiction - desensitization. With each new assignment, James must take greater and greater risks, unable to satisfy his compulsion for the "adrenalin rush" any other way. We are left wondering what becomes of such a man when he finally rejoins civilian life. "The Hurt Locker" makes us understand this devastating psychological aspect of warfare the way "All Quiet on the Western Front" makes us understand shell shock.