The review I totally agree with is http://www.behindthehype.com/movie-reviews/action-review/the-hurt-locker/
Having said that, I think it’s a case of the ‘popular’ movie not getting the oscars this time too. Just because this movie doesn’t not entertain you, do not assume it has some subtle message or plot that doesn’t meet the eye – most probably it doesn’t. It feels like a very elongated demo run of Countert strike. I ‘ve read reviews comparing this movie to Saving Private Ryan(SPR). Nothing could be more absurd – there is such a human element, so much of soul in SPR. But here we have three characters whom we don’t get to know much about except one single scene where they even talk and then we have an infinite loop of disarming bombs – most of them very similar and boring. And there is nothing specific about Iraq even – it could have been anywhere - Iam not saying its universal – just that it seems to be a copied from a hundred war films. Movies should entertain. Period. There can be no exceptions. Even the supposed art films would evoke some interest in that it portrays a reality so vividly – some aspect of reality. For instance, Forrest Gump doesn’t have a very great story or plot – but every frame of the movie is a poem about life – those are the off beat movies that do not follow the formulas of popular movies and reach classic status for their beauty – BTW all such classics are immensely entertaining and carry a subtle message which you may or may not even understand and still you would be able to appreciate the movie. This movie is a depiction of reality alright – of bombs and some dilapidated buildings – but it lacks a soul.
