This is unlike any war movie. While other war flicks rely on huge orange balls of fire, soldiers on their knees in the rain, tons of slow-mo and montage, cliche representations of boot camp and all the other images typical of the war movie lexicon, Kathryn Bigelowe makes a film about psychology, human bonding, addiction, and the nihilistic conclusions that are forced upon men when they are asked to deal with the worst of human nature.Jeremy Renner returns as an American soldier (having played one before in 28 Weeks Later) intent in marrying charisma with loose-cannon charm and--later--a real grasp of shared experience and brotherhood. His introduction is probably my only real gripe about the film. Renner (Sgt William James) comes to Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) unit to take the place of a recently fallen team leader. There is the obligatory "I am not here to replace the fallen but instead to do my best" soldier-ese. This is quickly followed by a seemingly un-necessary toss of a smoke grenade that completely shrouds him from his cover in a later scene. The end effect is, as one line of dialogue goes, "wildman." Yes, William James is a wildman, but we would understand that without the bizarre and solitary smoke screen.One of Kathryn Bigelowe's challenges must have been taking what is essentially the same scenario (defuse bomb in hostile territory / deal with language & cultural barrier / don't die) and repeat it several times while maintaining audience interest. There may have been one scene too many and I'm certain one was over-done (forty five seconds left and Renner will still cut one of a dozen locks on an iron chest-harness bomb). Nevertheless the overall effect is amazing. Around the middle of the film you get a real binary treat: (1) Ralph Finnes shows up and does not steal the film. (2) A following sniper battle that tops anything of that nature I've seen yet.Renner's moments with his family are touching. Sometimes it is easier to cut all of it off. It's a bit of a "dead man walking" philosophy. Other times, when he is with his child and observes how a baby "loves everything" the film hits notes only the more wisened understand.In the end it is a great view and I suggest it above any other of the recent Middle East war flicks of late.

This movie is by far one of the best I've seen in a long time. It's a shame that people are so petty to create negative reviews on 8 minutes of footage from what amounts to 141 minutes of a feature film. I saw this film last Friday and can't get enough of it. I want more.
To address some of the things I've read in the comments, I'd just like to add a few things.
Kathryn Bigelow did direct the film. If you are going to judge the film based on the simple idea of a female's direction, you should also consider the fact that she's done films like Point Break.
This film does what Jarhead attempted to do but fell somewhat short of. It was a great exploration of the psychology of a soldier and demonstrated a great deal through beautifully shot cinematography.
This film also features one of THE BEST sniper battles ever filmed. Personally, I think it was better than the scene from Enemy At The Gates because of how it was done and because of the character development that you witness during the progression of the battle.
So please, whether you understand what EOD does or not (and I hope that you're not faking it when you say you were EOD), this film should be given a definite chance. It may not be a happy-go-lucky type film but it will be one worth watching.
I challenge anyone to not be effected by what goes on on screen. It really was an experience that I hope one doesn't short one's self on.

Sorry, Eric M. But, you couldn't possbily be more wrong. The film is quite accurate having worked in EOD. Let me know your thoughts after having spent 5 years doing what we do, much less a single day.

Army EOD is the least active? Give me a break, 85% of all EOD forces on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan are Army EOD. As far as the movie goes, a bootleg has been passed around the community for a few months now. It's totally unrealistic and nowhere close to how a real EOD team performs out in the field. It had it's entertaining moments though, and worth to watch.

It's another NWO PR movie!! Don't ya just luv it?

Really exciting!!!! Loved the footage, actors, everything!

I havent seen a worse sequence so far. Weak acting, the plot is boring and the production is as bad as well.Next.