THE HURT LOCKER 3.5*** ( almost 4.0*** and, yes 4*** for a War Movie) What a strange movie title . Whatever does it mean. Well for this movie it can mean 2 things…..generally, a soldier’s slang for a real bad place or perhaps more specifically for this movie, a small locker where the Explosive Ordinance Disposal expert, Sgt. James, keeps souvenirs from the bombs and IEDs ( “Improvised Explosive Devises”) that he has disarmed….that could have “hurt” him or more likely blown him to smithereens.

This is a frighteningly, up-close look at the terror of the Iraq war especially through the eyes of this elite bomb disposal squad. The movie puts you in the “boots” of these 3 soldiers and you slowly and methodically experience the near-death walk they must take daily …the fear… that never-ending-in-your-bones fear of dying at any moment . They must not only try to survive the disarming of the bombs and IEDs but the constant danger of being a target for a sniper… they don’t know who is a friend and who is a foe.

This is a very well made war movie that tackles a very difficult subject head on . There is a constant, almost unbearable tension whenever the EOD squad is in action…you literally hold your breath waiting for the sniper’s bullet or the bomb explosion. Amazingly, this near masterpiece of suspense and unrelenting intensity is the excellent work of Director, Kathryn Bigelow. She nails it by deploring an excellent cast of unknowns headed up by Jeremy Renner, the bomb specialist, and Anthony Mackie, as Sgt. Sanborn and Brian Geraghty, as Specialist Eldridge, as his cover men for snipers….she and creates a gritty, beyond realistic contemporary war story… the best since “Saving Private Ryan”.

When it’s over, you wonder how these young brave soldiers do it over therein Iraq or Afghanistan..or wherever…how can they go out there in harm’s way day after day never knowing but constantly fearing that it will be their last day. Such courage..such overwhelming courage..well we owe them SO much yet they get SO little credit. There are many reasons to see this film....certainly because it is an excellent, well done and well acted film…but also because it is one that everyone should see so you too can truly appreciate and revere the contributions and sacrifices that these young men are making for ..all of us…they deserve our praise and out prayers.

Clark