Zero Dark Thirty Review

Posted 11 years ago by myetvmedia

‘Zero Dark Thirty’ Does It Deserve An Oscar?

Coming into the film I wasn’t sure what to make of Zero Dark Thirty”.

The film has been both criticized and praised for it’s handling of subject matter involving torture as an effective technique for interrogation. It has also attracted controversy for obtaining improper access to classified materials. However CIA records did not show any involvement by the White House and no evidence that classified information was leaked to the filmmakers. Kathryn Bigelow, the director has been criticized for the way she has chosen to depict the use of torture. It may have cost her an Oscar nomination or maybe there are really other contenders who deserve it more. Zero Dark Thirty is a movie about war and the realities of war. Unfortunately torture is used by both sides, not just the ‘bad guys’.

I was also wondering if the film would be an action film or take a more journalistic approach, documenting the events up to and including the assassination of Osama Bin Laden (OBL). I felt that Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker) did both and did them with ingenuity.  “Zero Dark Thirty” deals more with the powerlessness, desperation and grief of post-9/11 America than a nation’s redemption. The film chronicles American efforts to capture or kill OBL. It stars Jessica Chastain who has a Best Actress Oscar nom for her commendable performance as the intelligence agent Maya, a woman who exemplifies the impact of operating in a world where torture is common place. Also starring are Jason ClarkeJoel EdgertonChris PrattKyle Chandler, and Mark StrongClarke and Chastain do the heavy lifting accompanied by an excellent supporting cast.

Bigelow and cinematographer Greig Fraser, make fluid but firm use of handheld camera, so that you feel pitched into the middle of things to the point where you are on the edge of your seat and back. I can think of two unexpected bomb explosions that did just that.  It explains how BigelowFraser and Mark Boal (screenplay) managed to keep you riveted to your seat for over 2-½ hours for a story with an ending you already know.

I can say it is a good documentary styled, fact-based thriller. Some might find it a bit long but I thrive on this type of factual movie and so I enjoyed it. I don’t know why some critics are claiming this is the greatest movie of the year because it’s not. Are the critics over-filling their prescriptions? It’s an effective feature with excellent film and sound editing.  However we cannot forget it’s a contender for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best film Editing and Best Sound Editing…  Strongly recommended!

If you are into Navy Seals movies I recommend: “Act of Valor” and “Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden”.

https://myetvmedia.com/feature/act-of-valor/

-Christophe Chanel

Trailer

Gallery

  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty
  • Zero Dark Thirty

ETV Newsletter

Get the latest on the media landscape and the minds that create inspiring, paradigm-shifting ideas. Sign up and stay in the loop.

Advertise with Us

close