Image coutesy of impawards.comWhat: Film.
Actors: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Ralph Fiennes, Guy Pearce.
Where: At home on DVD.
With the BAFTA ceremony this Sunday and the Oscars following quickly behind everyone is talking about the Avatar v The Hurt Locker and more interestingly, the Cameron v Bigelow dual that pits the former husband and wife head to head. Which of the two will Hollywood, well accustomed to a high profile divorce, side with?
Despite losing momentum towards the middle of the 131 minutes, The Hurt Locker, blasts back with one of the most interesting accounts of war in recent years. What really sets this film apart through is Renner's interpretation and Bigelow's direction of the main character, Sergeant William James and, more importantly, the regular appearances of his alter ego.
Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes make high profile cameo appearances which work well and add weight to this feature without overpowering it. We only see Pearce's character for the first scene in the film but he seems to perfectly handover to Renner's character as the later plays the formers replacement. Perhaps it's Pearce's familiarity that works so well to position his character as a straight, good guy against what comes after him.
Not taking too much away from the majority of the film it's the first and last 15 minutes that really define the film. The start sets the scene and the ending not only caps this film off but leads the viewer to think more generally about war and everyday lifel. It will leave you still mulling things over weeks down the line.
Making a decision on this film after and hour would be taking everything away from this work which could be arguably be described as both an anti and pro war film. Bigelow leaves it late and forces the viewer into an opinion on the central character just before the credits roll. The music score (Ministry's 'Khyber Pass") of the final scene only helps to blow you away.
Rating: 8/10
Comments: The finale pushes this from a decent war thriller past Avatar into 'classic' territory.