MOVIE REVIEW: THE HURT LOCKER

The Hurt Locker takes place in 2004 during the Iraqi war and centers around an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) squad. When the team leader is killed during an attempt to defuse a bomb, the two remaining members, Sergeant J.T. Sanborn (Anthony Mackie) and Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty) are teamed up with their new leader Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner).

On their first mission as a new team Sanborn and Eldridge quickly discover that their new Staff Sergeant is not one for rules or protocol as he dangerously and carelessly takes a "different" approach at defusing and IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Instead of rules and guidelines, Sgt. James looks death in the face, smiles, and doesn't hesitate to hop down on the "problems" with his cowboy, hot head attitude and unwillingness to work with his teammates. With only 40 days left on their tour, this isn't the kind of behavior Sanborn and Eldridge were looking to find themselves around, because with each new situation, holds an even bigger threat than the previous.

The Hurt Locker takes you directly inside the Iraqi war from how the locals interact with the U.S. Soldiers, to unexpected standoffs in the dessert. You actually can feel the stress and pressure that our men and women face when they walk up these car bombs, IED's, and even body bombs. What is even more incredible is that it has a female director, Kathryn Bigelow. After watching this film, it has re awoken the respect and gratitude I have for our soldiers that I think our country has forgotten some about the further 9/11 gets from our minds. It was a tad long with a few scenes that were a little drawn out, so I give this 4.5 out of 5.