“The rush of combat is often a powerful and deadly addiction, for war is a drug. » This quote is the first thing that appears on screen as viewers begin their journey into The Hurt Locker, a critically acclaimed war film written by Mark Boal and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt). The quote was written by former New York Times war correspondent Chris Hedges, and it perfectly sets the stage for a story that describes how powerful and addictive war can be (Corliss). The 2008 film won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role ("Nominees and Winners"). The Hurt Locker is an exceptional film that contains everything one would expect from an award-winning film: an intriguing plot, heartbreaking tragedy, breathtaking visuals, top-notch acting, believability and even a bit of controversy. the first thing people look for in a movie. War is a complex subject so in a film about war, while it is important that the plot is interesting, it is even more important that it makes sense and flows. This keeps the audience entertained and prevents them from getting lost in too many complicated details. The Hurt Locker is the story of three men who are part of a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team stationed in Baghdad in 2004. Sergeant First Class William James is a daring specialist who knows all about the bombs, inside. and outside. He begins his rotation with Bravo Company after the previous team leader is killed while attempting to disarm a roadside bomb. There are only 38 days of rotation left at Bravo Company and since James' arrival, these days have been full of tension. James d...... middle of paper ......es." Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Web. March 1, 2011. .Ryzik, Melena. "A Trial for 'Hurt Locker,' in It's Oscar Time." The New York Times March 4, 2010. Web, February 24, 2011. Schmidt, Michael "Lethal Bombs in Iraq Seemed Directed at the Militia." Web. February 26, 2011. Seal, Karen H., Daniel Bertenthal, Christian R. Miner, Saunak Sen and Charles Marmar "Bringing the war home: mental health disorders among 788 US veterans returning from Iraq and d." 'Afghan Seen at Department of Veterans Affairs Facilities' Archives of Internal Medicine 167.5 (2007): 476-82. Print.Zoroya, Gregg. "In 'The Hurt Locker,' war is like a drug." USA Today n/a: Academic research completed. EBSCO. Web. February 24. 2011.