MOVIE REVIEW - The Hurt Locker

The Hurt Locker is one of those movies that is playing to little fanfare, but certainly should not be lost in the summer blockbuster movie season.

The Hurt Locker is one of those powerful movies, that tells a story you don't know, and should. It also stars people you've never seen, told in a way you'll never forget. Rated R and for good reason, this is not for the squeamish. But it is terrific!

THL is the story of some of our soldiers in Iraq a few years ago. We all think about the soldiers fighting in tanks, or in fighter jets, or even in combat. THL shows you the story of a small 3 man team, that goes around the battered streets of Baghdad, disarming roadside bombs that are killing most of the people there. These bombs are booby - trapped, and are becoming more sophisticated all the time. These guys go in, and under tremendous pressure from the people of Iraq, the enemy and even themselves, and try to do a job that seemingly never ends. Will they crack under the enormous pressure? And who are these guys? That's The Hurt Locker.

THL, to it's credit is not a blood fest. There are some things that are hard to watch, but this movie is far more about what goes on insides these brave soldiers heads. And you realize as well, our people over there are just young guys and gals. Trying to to a job, and trying to stay alive under very tough circumstances. THL is extremely intense, suspenseful, and down right scary at times. What dawns on you in THL is the job these soldiers do never ends. It's a drama..period. If you're looking for huge action and computer generated special effects, stay home.

Their performances are very powerful, and the pressure they feel is palpable to the viewer. THL hasn't been flowered up either with any kind of side story. It deals with the issue at hand, and does so skillfully. This movie is so good, it makes you realize that really good projects can still come out of Hollywood, even in the same season as the silly G-I Joe, and countless others that make light of war, and violence. Nothing light here. This movie slaps you in the face, and doesn't apologize for it. You have a choice. You can except the slap with an open mind and move on, or you can sell-out and think that G-I Joe is good movie making, or that Transformers is real "cool." That's if you're ready to step up to adult movies, the choice is yours.

The Hurt Locker. Not for everyone. But certainly in a movie making sense, one of the best movies that will be on any screen in 2009.