Apocalypse Now for this generation?

Rating: 9/10 (2 February 2010)

Whilst not immediately obvious or comparable, one cannot but remember certain scenes of the Hurt Locker as a modern update to scenes in Apocalypse Now, Platoon, Full Metal Jacket or The Deer Hunter. In many ways all what we view, is an update on new realities of this particular war, the desert barren God-forsaken terrain, the new tactical mindset and mind games and the physical human challenges facing this new type of adversary and war. But most of all I loved not being preached at. The film did not take sides, instead focusing on the brave men who do the dirty job on behalf of what we wrongfully or rightfully interpret as defending our western values, and the other side that feels it has nothing to loose in fighting what they perceive as a invasion of their own value system. Much like the Vietnam War it shows that whilst some of the principles we are fighting for may be in part justified or comprehensible, the means used, certainly confuse the issues at stake and ultimately the ends we are trying to achieve . This film helps us understand what war we are raging, so it is engrossing from beginning to end - all it asks is that we understand each soldier's own incomprehension, confusion and misgivings but ultimately honour their courage and professionalism and those who pay the ultimate price in defence of their work, duty and obligation.