a powerful and provocative picture

Rating: Null/10 (29 January 2011)

War is a drug; that's the central theme of this tense, arresting character study that plunges viewers deep into the adrenaline and chaos of modern warfare. On duty in Iraq and with 38 days remaining in their company rotation, two U.S. Army EOD operatives (Mackie, Geraghty) welcome new team leader Sergeant James (Renner), a hotshot ex-Ranger whose reckless ways only exacerbate the tension of their task as they work together in life or death situations to locate and disarm bombs. Taut, suspenseful, and deeply emotional, this authentic war saga vividly depicts the atmosphere of danger, hostility, and complete unpredictability of war, in addition to the bravery, heroism, and camaraderie of soldiers who balance the weight of the task with the pressure to keep their sanity. Intelligent writing and believable characters are perfectly realized by masterful direction and sturdy performances, headlined by Renner's intense portrayal of a gung-ho maverick addicted to the adrenaline rush of war. ****