visceral experience

Rating: 8/10 (31 August 2015)

It's Baghdad 2004. Sergeant J.T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) has a new leader in his Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit after losing the one before. William James (Jeremy Renner) seems to be reckless but effective. Sanborn often conflict with his methods. They encounter a group of mercenaries on their side and get ambushed. Sanborn shoots the enemy in a long distance battle. The men struggle as various random violence take a toll on them.
This is the big coming out party for director Kathryn Bigelow. She shows that woman directors can be simply directors and do a great intense war film. There is a randomness to the whole situation. Jeremy Renner brings a devastating simple intensity to his performance. He doesn't give the American hero version. It's more matter-of-fact. The situations and the places are dripping with a sense of paranoia. Danger lurks at every corner. The confused world never lets go. This is a visceral experience more than a plot driven story.