Like millions of others, I saw this when it first came out in a high tech theater and marveled at its special effects. Even at this first viewing, however, I was surprisingly impressed by the story, surprised because I hadn't expected much. Today I watched it on my modest home TV and am even more impressed with the story, which in fact is a textbook example of the beginning-middle-ending narrative that is the template of our cultural storytelling. This film does everything right as story: it sets up the story with great efficiency, it focuses on the journey of a main character, adding levels of dramatic interest and meaning that enrich this journey. It presents a classic battle of good guys v. bad guys. It presents a touching love story. It dramatizes the growth of the main character, a flirtation with defeat coming before victory. There are thrills and tears galore. The story excites us and it moves us as it builds and builds. A textbook example of great film storytelling.
It's hard to believe that anyone would give
The Hurt Locker a vote over
Avatar for the best picture Oscar. Clearly some kind of industry politics was involved.
But there also is irony in the success of this film when put in the real political world.. In this story, the big company is the bad guy. Yet it's the big company that made the film and got rich off it. It got rich because so many people cheered on The People in their battle against the Company. So the company in the real world let us all cheer at the defeat of nasty big business while taking our money to the bank. We felt good, they got rich, and nothing in the power structure changed.
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