{"id":7357,"date":"2009-12-31T16:59:02","date_gmt":"2009-12-31T16:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.filmdetail.com\/?p=7357"},"modified":"2009-12-31T16:59:02","modified_gmt":"2009-12-31T16:59:02","slug":"uk-dvd-blu-ray-the-hurt-locker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filmdetail.com\/2009\/12\/31\/uk-dvd-blu-ray-the-hurt-locker\/","title":{"rendered":"UK DVD & Blu-ray: The Hurt Locker"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Hurt Locker<\/a><\/strong> succeeds brilliantly where many films about the Iraq War have failed by examining the tense details of life in a bomb disposal unit.<\/p>\n

Directed by Kathryn Bigelow<\/a> from a script by journalist Mark Boal<\/a> (based on his experiences as a reporter embedded with troops), it portrays a group of soldiers who have to disarm IEDs<\/a> (improvised explosive devices) in the heat of combat.<\/p>\n

The story begins with a new sergeant (Jeremy Renner<\/a>) taking over a highly trained disposal team and the tension that arises with his two subordinates, Sanborn (Anthony Mackie<\/a>) and Eldridge (Brian Geraghty<\/a>) as they fear his fearless attitude is endangering their lives.<\/p>\n

Unlike the half-hearted hand-wringing that has characterised some of the films dealing with the war on terror, this plunges us deep into the anxiety and chaos of warfare.<\/p>\n

But the clever twist of The Hurt Locker is that it steers clear of war movie clich\u00e9s: the enemy is often hidden and faceless; sequences are agonisingly teased out; death is lurking everywhere; combat is a powerful drug that affects soldiers in different ways.<\/p>\n

Bigelow wisely recruited cinematographer Barry Ackroyd<\/a> to give the film a captivating, hand-held look which is reminiscent of his work on Paul Greengrass’ United 93<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As a director it is a welcome return to form and combines the energy and thrills of her best work with an attention to detail that pays of handsomely in several memorable sequences.<\/p>\n

Since premi\u00e8ring at the Venice film festival back in 2008 it has deservedly reaped rave reviews<\/a> and will be a leading contender at the upcoming Oscars.<\/p>\n

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The DVD and Blu-ray Disc come with the following extras:<\/p>\n