Like most people, I watch movies to escape, put the real world behind me and relax. With
The Hurt Locker, I just couldn't do that. Right from the start I was tense and on the edge of my seat. I couldn't even enjoy my snacks because my stomach was in knots and stayed that way for the next 2 hours. I know it sounds bad, but it was anything but.
The Hurt Locker is about a three man bomb squad in Iraq with a little less than a month left on their rotation. Guess what they do the whole movie? Diffuse bombs while trying not to get killed in the process. The tension in these situations is palpable. As soon as you think you can breathe again, you're thrown back into it. In the few moments when we're not trying to figure out which color wire to cut, we get to see how psychologically messed up these guys are. Not to be cliche, but it really is an adrenaline roller coaster.
This film is one of my favorites of the year. It's also the best movie about the Iraq war to date. It never gets preachy or pushy with a political agenda, but simply puts you in the shoes of three guys who lay it on the line. If it's showing in your area, I can't suggest this movie enough.