A Fascinating Look at Human Perseverance...Told by Two Masters of the Craft

Rating: 10/10 (12 January 2013)

"Zero Dark Thirty" is a fascinating story of human perseverance, told beautifully (Greig Fraser definitely took some notes from Barry Ackroyd for the cinematography). With a superb cast (Jessica Chastain clearly deserved the nod, and Jason Clarke brought his controversial character to life), Mark Boal and Kathryn Bigelow did everything right...again. The scribe of "The Hurt Locker" wrote and executed iconic lines and scenes (specifically the Maya and Joseph confrontation, as well as the eventual raid on Bin Ladens hideout) and Bigelow was able to nail every breathtaking and emotional moment perfectly.
Probably the biggest standout of the film, though, is the editing. The complete fluidity was mind-altering, and the 18 minute long scene when the S.E.A.L.s raid Bin Ladens house is perfection.
Overall a superb and emotional film (especially backed my Desplats breathtaking score), definitely a lot better than some of the other Oscar contenders.
This film is Golden.