The Hurt Locker – 7 out of 10

Rating: 7 Out Of 10 PhilosoGuys

Less is More

The Hurt Locker is memorable for what it does not do. Unlike contemporary war movies, Hurt Locker does not take sides and does not pass judgment. In fact, one may even contend that it is not a true war movie: there are no grandiose shootouts and no true battle scenes. Interaction with Iraqi civilians is at a minimum, with Beckham taking up perhaps 5 minutes of screen time and the rest of the Iraqi population relegated to sideline videotaping and spectating.

No, Hurt Locker does not fall squarely into the traditional mold of a war movie, and this has been cause for some criticism. Armond White says that the director’s lack of judgment and perspective leave the movie hollow. However, though I almost always agree with White, in this I disagree. It is in this very removal of judgment in the spirit of a traditional war movie mold that gives Hurt Locker its true power.

The bomb squad itself sets the stage for this new perspective: bomb squads are not on the front lines fighting face to face but rather a part of the occupation and nation-building, making Hurt Locker the first true movie of the new era of warfare as we see it evolve.

Hurt Locker is less a film concerned with the justice of any particular war but rather with the study of the effects of war on the human condition. Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner) engages in no true conflict during the course of the movie. He spots a sniper and accidentally shoots his comrade but the only remnant of the adrenaline rush of conflict, as found in “Platoon” or the end of “Apocalypse Now” is found squarely within himself. It is the mental game, the adrenaline rush, and the discipline of the bomb squad responsibilities. The most memorable scenes of the film are found with Renner and his squad mates. The animalistic and drunken fighting scenes, Renner falling asleep in his bomb squad helmet, and the final scene of the film, as Renner walks out of the Hercules transport plane and straight into his bomb squad uniform.

Renner is clearly addicted to the rush of the bomb disposal but it is clear from the direction of the film that it is not portrayed as beneficial or good. It is like watching a heroin addict tempt fate on dirty ghetto streets at gunpoint to get a fix.

The mess, confusion, and solitary treatment of the characters in Hurt Locker is perspective enough. War is hell and, while you may be surrounded by good men and addicted to its adrenaline rush, you must face it alone.

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