The Hurt Locker Analysis

Before I begin taking a critical look at this film, I just want to say that The Hurt Locker is easily one of the best war flicks I have ever had the pleasure to watch. It was extremely effective in how it portrayed the psychological effects that war had on soldiers, on top of shedding a little bit of light on modern warfare. It is a highly relevant film in a time period in a America where war is a subject that very little people have any knowledge about. This allows for the common man to experience war from the perspective of soldiers.


Kathryn Bigelow may not be a well known name for most people. Her previous roster of work varied from TV shows to shorts to full feature films. One can say that she has had a broad range of experience to draw from to create this film. It is also important to note that none of her previous work has received as much critical acclaim that The Hurt Locker did. She may not be a well known name yet, but I suspect she soon will be, for many studios will be offering her opportunities to direct films for them.

This film was made so recently, and in a time where the film's relevance speaks to a country that has been engaged in a war that has been going on for far too long. The Hurt Locker not only takes a look at life on the battlefield, but also at some of the families at home who are directly being affected by war. This speaks to the families at home watching this movie and gives them a look at possibly what their family members are going through in Iraq. Most other films in this same setting were merely documentary style, and without a real storyline with character development. It is also important to note that although the film portrays very realistic war environment, some war veterans have dismissed the inaccuracies of the film. Nevertheless, the setting of the film is merely a backdrop to the tension filled plot line and riveting character development.

The Hurt Locker took a very interesting approach to the cinematography. Instead of striving to create smooth shots, the cinematography was shaky, as though it were a home movie. I really liked this approach because it gave the movie a stronger sense of realism and made it seem like more like a documentary rather than a movie. This "shaky" camera work effectively captures the audiences' belief by inviting them into a film that seems at times to have been captured by an outsider with a cheap camera. Another stylistic approach the cinematographer, Barry Ackroyd, and Bigelow took was to have plenty of close up shots in the middle of action filled scenes. An example would be the opening scene when the audience is first introduced to the tasks that Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) teams were responsible for. When a man comes out from a shop holding a cell phone, tension rises as the soldiers rush to save the life of their bomb specialist. To convey this tension, the camera pulls in tight to the faces of the characters and from the perspective of the Iraqi detonator with the cell phone. This sense of confined space disorients the audience to share the same types of anxiety that the soldiers are feeling.


Another stylistic choice in terms of cinematography were the slow motion shots that played close attention to detail. For example, after the bomb detonates in the first scene, the bomb specialist is propelled into the air by the blast. This same shot is seen from various angles numerous times.
  

Another example is during the desert sniper scene when a slow motion shot is shown of the bullet shell tumbling on the ground after the bullet was shot. These examples of slow motion and attention to detail achieves to add to the already present tension and perhaps just slow down for a second for the audience to take a breath and catch up with the action and tension in the scene.

The editing in the film is varied and takes advantage of some very simple techniques. Such techniques are the use to fast cuts during action packed scenes and lengthy shots, almost to the point of awkwardness. For example, the editing helps to build tension in scenes by utilizing fast cuts of everyone present in the scene. Like I mentioned earlier, this helps by placing the audience in a situation that is disorienting and confused. By assaulting the audience with a parade of images, the audience is forced to process everything being shown, thus making it difficult to comprehend. The editing also uses lengthy shots during the conversation between Sanborn and James after James was unable to disarm the bomb on the suicide bomber. Sanborn confesses that he can no longer handle the stress that EOD tasks present him and wishes to live a normal life. This critical scene in the movie define two completely different characters. By utilizing lengthy shots, the film is given a sense of realism and helps deliver the conversation without any interruptions that could be caused by cuts during the dialogue.

One image that the film uses constantly is the Advanced Bomb Suit (ABS). This image is used throughout the film not only just for narrative purposes, but also seems to have underlying symbolism to it. It is first seen in the opening scene of the film. Here it suggests that it may not be the best form of protection for the bomb specialist to use, thus opening a sense of vulnerability to anyone wearing the suit. When James dons the suit, audiences are skeptical on whether or not James is safe, considering his reckless attitude. Throughout the film the suit virtually signals that a scene will create tension. And at the end of the film when James puts on the suit after he reenlists, symbolizes his ambition and his one love. This suit serves many purposes in terms of symbolism. Although it is something that traditionally is very protective, it also symbolizes vulnerability because no one is actually 100% safe while wearing the suit. It conveys a message that although the person in the suit seems well protected, they are still gambling with their life. This suit is also very much associated with the character of James. The ABSs are perhaps his most treasured tool that he is equiped with.

The narrative is crafted around an EOD squad that is responsible for finding and diffusing bombs in the battlefield. It tells a story around this team and the tasks they are charged with. By using this predicament, the narrative is able to achieve well crafted characterization of these 3 characters. James is a newly assigned leader for the Bravo team, Sanborn is responsible and is true to his role in the team, and Eldrige is a young specialist who helps show the fears of young soldiers at war. By creating 3 contrasting characters, the story needs very little action and plot substance to carry the story. Instead, this character driven story manages to entertain with action filled scenes, and create multi-dimensional characters.

This film won the Oscar for Best Picture for a reason. Not only was it masterfully directed by Kathryn Bigelow, the story, cinematography, script, and editing helped to make this film extraordinary. It's relevance in a time of constant warfare helps connect to a modern audience in a way no other film of this background can manage.