But whereK19s threat a melting nuclear reactor onboard a Russian submarine was clear and recognisable.
It isnt so simple for the members of a U.S. Army Bomb Squad deployed in Iraq.
Brian Geraghtys rookie Eldridge jokes that the tanks parked idly at their base are useless.
Because for them, defusing bombs on the streets of Baghdad, their enemies arent wearing uniforms.
Theyre dressed as a civilian carrying a mobile phone that triggers a gear.
Or they could be a man with a video camera.
Or a local driving a car.
Its an environment of chaos and paranoia.
One minute, the bases Colonel is asking a group of locals to move along.
The next, all that remains is a cloud of smoke.
Not even the films big name stars make it out.
Ad content continues below
Bigelow has always been a filmmaker who knows how to direct an action scene.
Drawn out to sometimes unbearable extremes, theyre filled with a gnawing sense of dread.
Renners heavy breaths punctuate the desolate soundtrack, leaving you wondering if theyll be his last.
What does it take to do what they do everyday?
What does it do to them?
Renners James takes centre stage.
In between the set pieces, Bigelow shows them trying to relax and bond.
Yet it explodes in the blink of an eye.
What seemed harmless suddenly turns nasty, just like the horrors outside.
For Sanborn and Eldridge, it becomes a countdown to their release.
Towards the end, he asks Sanborn, Why do you think I am the way I am?
Sanborn doesnt know, and the film doesnt push for an answer.
Bigelow and Boal dont have a go at over-explain.
They leave us with a fragment of the opening quote war is a drug ringing in our ears.
But this is still thrilling in a way few films are these days.
The discs sorely missing a commentary track from the always fascinating Bigelow, but is still a great purchase.
The Film:
The Disc:
The Hurt Lockeris out now andavailable from the Den Of Geek Store.
Rating:
4 out of 5
