The Hurt Locker flew relatively under the radar in most cities when it was released this summer. Those lucky enough to catch a showing have been going on and on about how great the film is, while those of us who did not get a chance to see it were eagerly waiting until we would get our chance. That chance had finally come for me as I was finally able to watch the movie I had read and heard so much about. To say that this film was worth the wait is a huge understatement.

The Hurt Locker follows Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Company Bravo as they are finishing up their tour in Iraq. For reasons I won’t reveal, the two man crew is assigned a new squad leader, Staff Seargant James. James is a bit of a hothead and leaves his new squad wondering whether he is just plain reckless or whether he really is as good at his job as he believes. This pretty much sums up the plot of the film without giving anything away. This is definitely a movie everyone should see for themselves to form their own opinions on.

Right off the bat, the movie grips you and doesn’t let go. From the amazing opening scene, the movie establishes a level of tension and steadily ratchets up the intensity up until the end of the film. There is something masterful about Director Kathryn Bigelow’s use of camera angles that really helps to maintain the anxiety that is built up in each scene. Each scene leaves you wondering what the next will bring and how they can possibly make it more nerve racking than the last. What is even more refreshing about her directing style is that this is one of the first Middle Eastern war movies that I have seen that does not get overly preachy. In fact, the story is straight forward and doesn’t really promote a bias for one side or the other. It simply tells the story, which is powerful enough without being complicated by unnecessary political overtones.

The acting in this film is top notch. While the film centers on the three members of Bravo Company, each member is captivating and portrayed to perfection. Brian Geraghty is great as Specialist Owen Eldridge, the junior membr of the squad. Eldridge more than holds his own and is the perfect exapmle of how the proper combat training can transform even the most unassuming guy into a killing machine. Anthony Mackie turns in an exceptional performance also as Sgt. Sanborn. Sanborn has been around the military just long enough to understand how everything works. He is the level headed, by the book, straight man of the squad, which is in direct contrast to James’ reckless impulsiveness. Finally we have Jeremy Renner as Staff Sgt. James. renner really steals the show with his portrayal. From the first scene he is in, he immediately sets the tone for how the rest of his interactions with the squad are going to go down. James is wild and brilliant at the same time. As a result of these traits, he often assumes unnecessary risks simply to get his adreanaline flowing, placing him and his squad in harm’s way much to their objections.

The bottom line is that this film is excellent and it immediately ranks up with the top 5 war movies I have ever seen. Once the movie starts, it never lets up on the tension until the last act, in which it finally takes a welcome breather before concluding the story. This movie is firing on all cylinders and is definitely worth checking out.