Academy award winner for movie?

Rating: 6/10 (28 August 2010)

Academy award winner for movie? Not. At a stretch, maybe academy award winner for documentary, which it had more of a feel of. I wasn't really sure of all the reasons that I felt that the movie did not live up to its hype and awards. The more I read the review of veterans and those in the military I understand a big part of it. Though suspenseful to a point, the movie seemed totally unbelievable as far as the protocol and procedures in military life. I have not served in the military but I have seen enough movies to know how totally unrealistic it was. Watching Jeremy Renner was like watching an old ego driven sheriff in the old west telling his deputies to stand back while he takes care of the bad guys. I envisioned him sticking his thumbs into his belt loops, pulls up his britches saying "Yep, y'all just stand back, I've got it" and walks down the street to meet the baddie.
I actually enjoyed Jeremy Renner's acting as he brought his character to life but not Academy award worthy. At the same time, do we really think he'd be riding his 'friend' like a bucking bronco and staring down a careening taxicab coming right at him? He was just an unbelievable character, in a movie with a weak plot (was there a plot?) with an inevitable ending. Walk, disarm, fight, repeat, ad nauseam. The supporting staff did their job well given what they had to work with.
Overall, I did find the movie interesting as far as the rover, the bomb suit and the special effects of the inevitable blasts. I'm glad that I only got the movie from the $1 rental machine. The movie was okay. Not great, not awful.