A group of three soldiers are called to handle a tricky situation. They are the EOD, the U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and it is their job to diffuse bombs. The leader, SSG Matt Thompson (Pearce), is killed when a bomb detonates too close. He is replaced by battle weary, daredevil SSG William James (Renner).
Already on edge from Thompson's death, Sergeant J.T. Sanborn (Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Geraghty) clash with James' leadership style and count down the days left with him. Sanborn wants to follow the rules / protocols to the letter to avoid injury. Eldridge believes he will die while working with James. Death looms with each call... will James' desire for an adrenaline high get the team killed?
OH! MY! GOD! What an intense film. From the opening sequence to the credits, you are on the edge of your seat... The music and editing combined with the serious / dangerous nature of the situations keeps your attention rapt and your heart racing.
Also, several big name actors appear in the film... but they are no! major characters. They appear in a scene or two, but don't last long. You recognize the face and see them interact a bit, and then whoosh they are gone. It is a little unsettling at first, because you expect that they will be around for the long haul.
Gritty, realistic and suspenseful without turning to cliches or cheap tricks. Excellent and worthy of all the accolades!!
The Hurt Locker (2009) 131 minutes
Rating: R for war violence and language.
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Starring: Jeremy Renner as SSG William James
Anthony Mackie as Sgt. JT Sanborn
Brian Geraghty as SPC Owen Eldridge
Guy Pearce as SSG Matt Thompson
Ralph Fiennes as Contractor Team Leader
David Morse as Col. Reed
Evangeline Lily as Connie James
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