When The Warrior Returns Home | What The Hurt Locker is Really About (Film Analysis)

[@PJA264]

This movie nails how it feels to try and deal with the unrelenting boredom and banality of life outside the military once you've been in. Going on four years now and I'm still trying to figure that out. Any other line of work I've done has felt worthless in comparison. That's not to say that they are, but that's how it feels.

[@DBOwens]

How many times did you leave the wire to singlehandedly hunt down a HVT?

[@marianotorrespico2975]

Peter Abernathy --- Absolutely correct! Post-military life is almost lifeless, especially for an 11-Bravo.

[@PJA264]

@@paralyzedsalsa2960 Medical history makes that not an option, I'm afraid.

[@yannick245]

@@paralyzedsalsa2960 No wars currently...

[@johnasche3064]

Completely understand. I've been in 17 years, and have become borderline addicted to deployments. Absolutely love the long hours and the rush of being "the guy to get the job done". I'm no Marine and have only personally experienced mortar attacks and a few other minor engagements like that. I've never fired my rifle at an enemy...just an aircraft mechanic, but in theatre, every sortie launched is for a specific purpose. Even home station high tempo seems mundane and hard to extract your personal impact on the mission. I guess if deployments were like mowing the grass, home station is like planting grass, and civilian life is like hiring a groundskeeper. It's easy to become institutionalized into that mentality. Keep your chin up, and know that YOU have done and will do great things. Someday even talk with your grandkids about your time in the Military.

[@Hoplite9]

I think you nailed it. I broke the cycle at three tours. I finally chose my children, I’m on wife number three and she is good to me . I don’t work well without a little pressure or a lot of pressure. I suck at being a civilian, and I don’t care, but my kids are doing fabulously. I’ve got a Nurse and a Chemical Engineer, both Auburn grads.

[@LifeIsAStory]

Really appreciate the comment. It is always enlightening to hear the experiences of men who served. Especially great to hear your kids are kicking ass.

[@michaelfried3123]

Thanks for your service and for the fact you raised productive children into adulthood.

[@rebeccaweil1]

Good for you guys

[@Hoplite9]

@-Vxlkrye- 3500, give or take a few. How about you ?

[@inferno3007]

@-Vxlkrye- kind of ironic. without people like him willing to give up their lives for your freedom you wouldn't be able to say that disgusting shit.

[@zgSH4DOW]

When I was young, I remembered the action scenes Now that I'm older, James walking into the bathroom in kit and the later cereal aisle is brutal. It's extremely humbling. I'll die remembering those images

[@LifeIsAStory]

When I first saw it (probably 6-7 years ago) that was my exact reaction. It was the sniper scene I remembered and wanted people to see, but watching it again, it’s those two scenes you mentioned that impacted me the most. Funny how we evolve.

[@sgthulk9]

Exactly. Standing in that aisle, absolutely doesn't understand how to make a choice between dozens of brands of cereal while over there life is so much more deadly but quite simple. For me this scene and the scene where he tells his infant son that as you grow older, you will only have one or two things in life that you really like. And for him it's probably just one thing. Absolutely gutting.

[@dmoon9037]

The banality of endless, sugared-up cold cereal also a striking and enduring image for me. Protagonist thinks: “given the battlefield choices I have made, how can this nation expect me to choose among bullshit commercial branded fake cereal choices?”

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Same here. The movie gets deeper and deeper the more often you watch it.

[@TheLORDofTOXICITY]

This is so spot on. I did 3 tours in Iraq and it pains me that my fellow vets shit on this movie so much just for a few cosmetic issues. It's always made me wonder if the people who shit on it actually had any combat time. SFC James is addicted to the mission because it gives him purpose. War is brutal and gross but some soldiers are made for it. There's no shame in it. The scene where he is home and the grocery store is scarier and more intimidating than combat really touched me.

[@capnfungi7875]

I think the movies really good but people dont consider that because of the inaccuracies with how actual ieds work

[@hurtlocker1040]

Well said 👍

[@ThereIsAlwaysaWay2]

@@hurtlocker1040 And war give you a CLEAR ONE WAY PATH ...... compared with civil live where you have thousands of possibilities ..... and never know if you will choose the goods ones. I get terrified by that reality, takes me tons of meditations and physical exercises to cope with that stress. NO idea how regular people deal with that (depression and anxiety medication statistics tells me that maybe they just don't deal at all) Speaking of myself: I should never left the forces and should have accepted the officer position. As and officer, as long as your not infantry, you get all the perks without the trauma.

[@dmoon9037]

@Wesley Kelley that grocery store scene can rip up almost anyone who has served forward in any capacity

[@PatrickWDunne]

I remember when I was in high school and we had a war vet tell us a lot of stories from his time in combat. He then asked "Has anyone here seen The Hurt Locker?" Nobody replied. He then said, "You are all into that Avatar shit, huh?" Fast forward a few months later and Kathryn Bigelow wins all the Oscars over her ex-husband.

[@corngreaterthanwheat]

That shot at the end where he gets overwhelmed by whether or not to buy Honey Nut Cheerios or Apple Cinnamon is so brilliant. Diffusing bombs is somehow more simple than something we take for granted everyday. Real great content. Keep it up.

[@8is]

One of my favorite scenes in cinema. The movie used the sheer contrast between that scene and the entire movie before it really well. It's hard to put into words everything James is probably feeling there: isolation, out of touch with reality at home, still stuck in Iraq mentally, desensitized and probably a lot more.

[@wolvesetc]

I think it was also kind of like , "look at all this bullshit and none of it has any meaning." It's just like all these choices and it's for nothing. He had meaning and purpose in Iraq. Back home it's all just mindless consumption.

[@dawnmarie506]

@@8is Psychology Today did a great article on this character. Google it. The author.nails him 💯

[@Jester0153]

My brother did two tours in the marines in Iraq during the height of the war. Now adays, he refuses to not help me. I was redoing my bathroom and he came through with a bunch of tools, materials and basically did it himself. I think he has to feel purpose and usefullness

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Sounds very much like it. Why not ask him in a good moment? I bet that would start an interesting conversation.

[@chriskaprys]

Thank you for letting him feel useful.

[@TheBroker1314]

Bro I’m a soldier and you completely changed how I view this movie. I used to view it as suburban Hollywood war porn but I completely identify with the protagonist’s struggle to wanna feel useful. It’s something literally every soldier in a peace time military struggles with.

[@sethaholicanimations4175]

One thing I really think the story did well, was how when he was home, he just seemed lost and, the colors went from bright to gloomy. I Remember first getting out of the Army was like the greatest feeling in the world, but as time passes, you begin to doubt if you made the right choice, that sense of purpose you have is gone, the respect your you had is gone, your friends are essentially gone too. I think in a way years later I still am in that trap, from time to time I still think if leaving was the right choice, and examine the value, and quality of life now, to the way it was. these themes only get a small amount of time in the movie, but it definitely resonates with me to this day. Hopefully in the next few years my mind will shift but that unrelenting feeling of hopelessness, lack of purpose still is pervasive to this day.

[@LifeIsAStory]

I’m sorry to hear that has been the feeling that followed. I’ve read many comments on my videos explaining something similar from serviceman. I hope clarity comes as well, and it should without saying, but thank you for your service. The past couple weeks have shown terribly clear the risks involved.

[@dmoon9037]

I’m sure you’ve heard the term “civilian-military divide”. It’s of course a real thing, and manifests in us all differently, whether civilian or service member. I didn’t know what to call it at the time, but even a 6 month disconnection from one’s native society and culture can present ones with that disorientation (the colors, the sounds, the human interactions - so distinct from the simplicity of a forward deployment or cruise).

[@carmelmulroy6459]

You did your part you should relax. Maybe you could do something for your community like coach soccer or basketball or something like that. Talk to your VA doctor about how you feel and maybe he could point you in the direction of an x army group. I know a lot of x army types hang around gyms so those are probably good to look into.

[@ricflair5956]

I did 2 tours in Iraq as a marine infantryman. Took me years to get in the right headspace after I got out. Many of my friends have either never figured it out, have died of suicide, or have ruined lives. For many war vets, the toughest part of the experience comes after the war is over. Semper fi

[@ronny2shoes]

I hope you’re doing well these days. Thank you for serving our country. It’s not perfect & we’ve been involved in too many senseless wars, but I respect your grit for being man enough to see real combat. ❤️

[@67psychout]

You could have done anything you wanted to in life. Why did you choose to be in a war brought to you by war criminals and a country that had nothing to do with 9/11? All for nothing

[@florencedoucet4974]

I am a big fan of your analysis of what really motivates Sgt James; "What he really is in love with is the feeling of being useful and necessary in an extremely important and meaningful occupation". I work as a nurse and I see this kind of motivation in health care colleagues. It is one of the things that keeps them going even when they start thinking about finding other kinds of work because things are getting to them too much. It is one of the reasons they put up with low pay, long hours and a demanding job that can take a lot out of you mentally, physically and spiritually. It was nice to hear this kind of motivation mentioned in a video.

[@Kingofthepnwdorks]

Combat vet here, spent time over seas in similar places with Eod and non Eod. There are aspects of this movie that I like, and are relatable, but the way the team just plays cowboy is off to me. There is a reason a lot of vets don’t like the movie. But I do appreciate the last scene when he’s home and just doesn’t know what to do in the grocery store. That reigned it back in for me.

[@DebNKY]

We're not watching for accuracy. We're watching for emotion.

[@taurinolibrado6078]

@@DebNKYyou’re speaking subjectively. You say “we” as if you know everyone who watched the movie personally. Different people watch films for different reasons. Apart from that, the fact that this film is about an ACTUAL war that happened, viewers, specifically prior service members, expect accuracy.

[@ccubsfan94]

This and Jarhead are great movies that explore the side effects of war and the mental state it can leave you in.

[@ronny2shoes]

The scene in ‘Jarhead’ where Troy has that mental breakdown because that guy denied their permission to fire was brutal. I’ve never served so I can’t even begin to understand the anguish of war, but that scene really made me understand just how badly it affects our soldiers. 😞 God bless.

[@DocM.]

Interesting how *BIG* famous KZbinrs put out garbage content daily with love from their 100s of thousands or more fans... But sometimes KZbin slides in a "little guy" (currently 7,000 subs) and it's like finding a gold nugget. This video was so interesting, genius, and really entertaining! Just came across your Full Metal Jacket vids and absolutely loved everything I've watched. I love these interesting dig deep psychological videos, especially the military films but also great films, and I'm glad the algorithm brought me to your channel! Great job, good luck, and please keep giving us these gold nuggets that I hope turn into a Fort Knox vault of your quality content one day friend! One of the fastest subscribes I've ever clicked!

[@LifeIsAStory]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed.

[@wattsnottaken1]

Well said.

[@supremeghost7950]

This is the only reason why I'm still on KZbin; to find these small, little pearls in a huge pile of garbage, which are worth searching and enjoying. But it seems with time they are much harder to find nowadays because that garbage pile just keeps adding up.

[@alexm7627]

@@LifeIsAStory i love seeing stories explained through someone with a christian worldview

[@Andy-dh2sv]

Well explained.

[@WrightTries]

Yup that scene in the grocery store is perfect I think all vets have that feeling when they first get out i know I turning into a shut in for awhile because I couldn't wrap my brain around how simple life if to some civilians

[@maulrat588]

"The way you don't die sir." is indeed a magnanimous line, part of his incredible character, just pure bravado.

[@dustfang5422]

As an EOD vet, thanks for sharing your opinion. The point about switching up tactics and breaking procedure, though, I think isn't a good excuse for James to do the things he does. Our procedures had a level of flexibility to them that allowed us to change our MO. Specifically because devices would adapt to the way EOD would operate. What James did here is the equivalent of grabbing a bare high voltage line and hoping it was shut off. It's a miracle he made it out of there.

[@militarypsychologist7255]

I think the movie portrays well how some service members (SM’s) react to combat trauma by being emotionally numb and socially detached. His risk-taking behaviors are one of the few things that help him to feel anything. The scene in the grocery store where he appears somewhat overwhelmed by all of the selections is a common post-deployment readjustment phenomena experienced by many SM’s; many battle hardy SM’s, including Special Operations Forces, report feeling overwhelmed by mundane garrison stressors yet they are fully capable of responding appropriately during combat operations. The ending, where SFC James, experiences difficulties readjusting and relating to civilian life are also classic post-deployment symptoms. Similar to other SM’s, to cope, he voluntarily chooses to return to a place “he understands and feels in control”; the Rules of Engagement in the civilian world are convoluted whereas those in a combat area are more clear cut.

[@BennyBoy90]

When I first saw this movie I was actually deployed to the southwest region of Afghanistan in the good ole army infantry back in 2011. At the time being the beginning of my deployment bc all you have on your downtime is movies, bathroom jerks, and gym I thought it was absolutely idiotic. The idea that a squad could just run their own missions with no oversight and command I mean it’s still dumb today and impossible. However, a decade later I rewatched it and I finally understand it and the characters struggle. When you’re there all you want is to go home, you miss those daily struggles those interactions anything to escape the reality of death on a daily basis. The only thing keeping you going is that adrenaline rush of mission high, getting shot at by the enemy and returning fire, looking for IED’s, watching gunship runs on taliban etc.. when you finally get home you somehow miss the carnage the simplicity of it compared to the everyday struggles of the “real world”.. All that to say when you’re there your life is simple stay alive and protect your family your buddies, you go home and it’s not so simple anymore and that PTSD kicks in bc you almost yearn for that pain again. This movie captures that to a tee and I believe that’s what it’s about.

[@XiaocongHan]

I am soooooo grateful that you compared James with Walter!! That's literally my first thought when I'm watching the movie!!!!

[@bennettroberts4155]

I wrote an 30 page essay on what this movie was about for a film studies class. It is a very accurate and sad depiction of what war does and every veteran wants to say it was trash.

[@Jbird1988]

The story of James is great, its the inaccurate setting that turns me away

[@MrPackerboy85]

Most service members call it trash not because of the message, but the lack of any accuracy. As someone training in the EOD school this movie makes me laugh every time and I point out points of the movie where each character would be dead in real life. It's silly depiction is quite frankly disappointing. In EOD school they talk tons of trash on the hurt locker because its a perfect example of what NOT to do and doing it will get you kicked out of eod if not the army as a whole.

[@Jbird1988]

@@MrPackerboy85 For sure so far the only good movie/series on Iraq I've seen is Generation Kill. I think its tough to replicate a deployment with such a narrow character focus. Gives the wrong impression that Iraq is non stop action everyday

[@yannick245]

.

[@bradnorris7396]

That's because it is trash

[@matthewskinner1637]

I’m currently doing my placement shifts with my local ambulance service. And we have a role called CFR- Community first responders. Majority of them are former armed forces medics who are now retired and help the ambulance service on a voluntary basis. Spoke to a few after a hectic job one night and they said they love it as it gives them small hit of adrenaline again when they go out to major jobs to support frontline staff .

[@kevinbowen6182]

It's pretty similar to what Maya is going through at the end of Zero Dark Thirty, when she's on the plane, mission fulfilled, her entire life's work completed, and has no idea where her home is.

[@dawnmarie506]

⬆💯

[@EricAKATheBelgianGuy]

Interestingly, I think of Ryan Bingham from "Up in the Air," also released in 2009 like The Hurt Locker, in a similar way. Technically, his "home" is Omaha, but since he's always on the road, he's rarely there, so it's easy to doubt if it's true.

[@dawnmarie506]

@@EricAKATheBelgianGuy ?

[@ProjectExMachina]

He is not an adrenaline junkie. This quote describes his mentality “They are only bushes to us-only trees; if we think these are people, we cannot drive” - Walter Röhrl Meaning, that if James takes his job seriously then he couldn't do it.

[@maxwellsterling]

That's how I handled a heavy mental pressure along the years - people don't understand why I appear to be so unaware of how serious certain situations are, while in truth I take them more seriously than likely any person who asks me "why?"; it just so happens that by trying to "ignore" (or rather, not feed the thought of it that I am aware of) the seriousness of a situation, I perform better because I do not pressure myself with imminent dangers and focus on the task at hand. I am far from fearless and I do feel dread and panic like any other person, but because I'm not wearing a pant-shitting expression on my face, some people think less of me... and that's just the perfect setup to shatter their expectations.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

I think saying he is not an adrenalin junkie is wrong. But I also think that the rest of your comment holds true. :) From my experience being a mild adrenalin junkie (top speed downhill on my race bike: 80km/h / 49.7 mph) I'd say both holds true. One doesn't completely let the seriousness of the situation let sink in (being analytic about it is what works for me) whilst at the same time the tingle of fear gives you the rush.

[@clamum9648]

@@thomaskositzki9424 Agreed that both can be true at the same time.

[@chrisrubio8212]

Excellent analysis. Well done. Human beings are born craving courage, authenticity, and excellence, but we’ve developed a culture that prioritizes comfort and convenience. That misalignment due to “hyper novelty” is the source of much modern struggle. You’ve summed that up brilliantly in this analysis.

[@jonathanmccleery6892]

I personally believe that he was originally doing this for adrenaline but later got caught up in his emotions. He started to realize that everyone needed him when he was deployed and when he came home, no one wanted him around. It’s sort of like abusive relationships, you don’t like to tolerate the abusive but at the same time you love this person and can’t leave.

[@LifeIsAStory]

That’s a great perspective. The relationship analogy works well.

[@davidbrownfield9289]

When the usefulness goes away, it's brutal. When I got back, all of my Marines were greeted by their families. I was greeted by my Chief and my First Class, who gave me a tiny flag and a barracks key. It was, in the moment, almost more traumatizing than combat. It was, for me, a "your mission is over, so welcome back to the Borg" kind of moment. I almost immediately asked to be deployed again, and was denied a second deployment to Afghanistan. I then went to Cuba for seven months, which felt more "normal" to me than being home, because it was like a combat deployment, but without the bullets and IEDs.

[@youtubetim3577]

I get it... 11 years in military and 3 tours and quit the military when I got divorced and wife gave up parenting and I became a single dad that was when I was 29.. now at age of 40 I miss the military all the time and wish I could go back constantly, civilian life just seems empty.

[@farmcat3198]

That was an excellent analysis. There are those among us, mainly addicts, who must self-destruct. Destruction could be pro-social, or anti-social, but we must struggle against *something* to remain content. If our lives are too comfortable, as they are in suburbia, we'll self-destruct through consumerism, drugs, and alcohol. Alternatively, what does it mean to be male in our increasingly comfortable, suburbanized, and feminized society? Inherent male drives and characteristics haven't changed, but there are fewer acceptable outlets for expressing male traits. The result is maybe increased male self-destruction through suicide, drugs, or alcohol.

[@JohnDoe-wt9ek]

History typically shows that the comfortable, suburbanized, feminized society always reverts back to an uncomfortable, wild, masculine dominated reality. Instead of feelings and courteousness and gentlemen's standards, it returns back to dog-eat-dog, violent, and often survival instinct standards. Because feminized societies predicate on the idea that peace is a virtually lasting commodity that doesn't need rough men doing terrible things to that weak society's foes.

[@dmoon9037]

@@JohnDoe-wt9ek I concur. Peace is a fragile equilibrium, not some natural state. Durable peace requires hard, mortal work; and a broad social respect for that work.

[@rob9726]

You say this like America doesn't currently have the deadliest military in history.

[@oddyotter9829]

Ma'dude, your narrative style reminds me of every frame a painting and I'm all for it. Add to that your thorough insightful analysis, I'm sold. Keep doing what you do.

[@sebastianmonzon6285]

There is a lot about this i agree with but, the comment about being isolated resonated with me. I have been out for over 3 years and have yet to make any friends. Acquaintances here and there but no real friends anymore. I try to text or message some of my friends from when i was still in, but its just not the same. No one really talks about how alone you feel.

[@pikiwiki]

the rush of conflict and struggle is what draws men to war or whatever confrontation you choose. Without the meaning inherent in survival, everything is boredom. It's all free. It's understanding this about oneself and about life that teaches you wisdom.

[@rhasaansmith2848]

The pursuit of comfort is what life is about , there is two sides of comfort so you must experience both sides to get the full effect. James feeling of being needed and being in danger is where he felt the most comfort.

[@sholto7]

There is also the added factor that being on operations is a paradoxically "easy" life. When you get past the stress of the job or the environment you are in, there is a calming simplicity to everything. You don't need to worry about anything other than completing your job, no worrying about bills, no stewing on embarrassing memories, no pining over failed relationships, it's bliss. Then, going back to real life and having to worry about things like car insurance is a fucking nightmare.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Says something about modern societies and the fields it can still improve on. XD Seriously what a f**king mess did we create that warrants such sentences as your last one to be true.

[@sholto7]

@@thomaskositzki9424 I know right, I think this is why soldiering as one of humankind's oldest professions is still alive and thriving in our so called civilised societies. Are you a veteran too?

[@lRedPosion]

Wonderful analysis man! I just casually watched this movie and I noticed that it was a bit off in terms of realism but I never realised how detailed the story and dialogue is! And I also really like you way of commentary. Not too complicated to understand for a non English speaker like me. In fact I got every second of it unlike some people who try to talk like a philosopher and throw fancy words around... Some day your channel will be HUGE I'm sure :)

[@LifeIsAStory]

Thank you, I really appreciate it! It’s great to hear that the ideas I try to put across are relatively clear. That’s one of my biggest goals.

[@abilea4081]

I also feel part of the "You'll get it" refers to how he acts reckless but at the same time those little procedures likely wont stop him from dying, Thompson died wearing his suit and following procedure so I think James gets a kick out of it but has probably also made peace with dying when he goes to dismantle every bomb

[@JustSomeCanadianGuy]

OBVIOUSLY a different scenario but as someone who likes the satisfaction of solving problems in my job, I can understand the idea of getting addicted to that when the problem you solve saves people's lives.

[@fredjones554]

When I first watched this, I understood nothing. Five years later, I watched it again, I got it. Masterpiece

[@akanji8285]

Struggle is crucial to human psyche… there’s a reason overcoming a difficult task feels rewarding

[@Chaos4Eva1]

This is a great movie. I'm a disabled vet that never saw combat. One day a friend of mine told me he saw the movie and he told me the main character was just like me. I never gonna forget someone looking from the outside saw what the op described in the post with out me even realizing it.. RESPECT my fellow Vets.

[@mirrorblue100]

You do know that when James says he's defused 873 bombs he's just bullshitting? Right? Just fucking with that officer. Other than that - pretty good review.

[@JezaLoki]

I’ve had so many people shit on this movie claiming that it’s pro war propaganda. I never understood that. Almost every person who is involved with James is killed, maimed, or traumatised. How tf is that pro war propaganda?

[@thomaskositzki9424]

Pro war propaganda?!?!? Wow, those people are either blithering idiots or haven't watched it. XD

[@jameshoops10]

do an analysis on fury

[@LifeIsAStory]

That’s a good one, I’ll definitely put it on the list.

[@wattsnottaken1]

I remember watching this alone in the dark and my body was tensing up during the bomb defusing scenes and the second he got it defused by body muscles literally relaxed. Amazing movie also when he shows the trigger man the bomb part holding it up with his left hand fucking love that scene. Like, “nice try buddy!”

[@LifeIsAStory]

The direction of those scenes are spectacular. It’s hard not to tense up.

[@dmoon9037]

@Spark That J, or “maybe next time, eh?”

[@urbanoutlaw858]

I think an important part that was not mentioned, and is one of my favorite lines, is when James talks to his son and says "the older you get the fewer things you really love, and by the time you get to my age maybe its only one or two things". I think James loves battle and the adrenaline, and that also his wife and him have a complicated relationship where there's a void in some aspects (as seen in the kitchen conversation). He ends up kind of having a death wish about his homelife as a backlash reaction/ emotional outlet / thrill & distraction (a "what the hell I may as well be useful somewhere else, or dead" kind of thoughts), which I believe sums up James's return to tour of duty and line of work. And on the flip side, probably causes his wife to emotionally distance herself from James, a vicious circle perhaps.

[@elevenbravolearning5695]

I went down to the comment to say how spot on this analysis is...... seems I am not the only one. hugs brothers.

[@elevenbravolearning5695]

The greatest leveraging tool for men is their perceived utility. I hope we find a more productive outlet for our men cuz war aint it.

[@LifeIsAStory]

Appreciate it man 🙏

[@dmoon9037]

@@elevenbravolearning5695 the paradox: prepare (well) for war, and you mitigate the risk of having to fight it

[@clamum9648]

I really like this movie. Yeah there's a bunch of inaccuracies but 99% of war movies have them, even supposed "realistic" ones like Saving Private Ryan (I think "Band of Brothers" is about the best). If you want realistic watch a documentary. Great job on the essay. Man you should do Jarhead. I'll never forget the sequence in the desert at night with the oil wells on fire. What great shots, and makes you wonder what it was like to be there around those wells when they were blazing like that.

[@Baldwin-iv445]

Honestly the thing that took me out of the film is the fact that they showed a soldier playing Gears of War, even though the game didn't come out till two years after film takes place.

[@renato.bakaadv]

😂

[@psyoperator58]

Your channel is gonna blow up soon I imagine, and that's not a pun. Probably the best film analysis around. Have you ever considered talking about The Kill Team? The movie, not the documentary.

[@flightofthebumblebee9529]

the Hurt Locker, The Deer Hunter, and First Blood are all great films about war PTSD.

[@PorscheFan-g5z]

My interpretation is that James is a nihilist. So I took the "you'll get it." line to mean "you'll eventually get over the idea that you have any control and learn to embrace the chaos" Also, I don't know what point you were trying to make with the graphs, but it was distracting.

[@rjmacready9828]

This movie is a masterpiece, one of the best films of the century

[@CC-8891]

I served in Iraq. Besides the major inaccuracies it nails the general feelings of war pretty well.

[@chrisrubio8212]

James isn’t addicted to adrenaline. He’s addicted to adrenaline and oxytocin, which is the neurochemical recipe for courage. He’s addicted to courage, because the embodiment of courage gives life meaning. We inherited a courage-based, physiological reward system from our hunter-gatherer ancestors.

[@DebNKY]

Oxytocin is the hormone that makes us feel in love, makes us want to couple.

[@cougarstable73]

Saved this my favorites and subbed (with bell!) Looking forward to more. This reinforced my understanding of the movie and why I really enjoy The Hurt Locker.

[@robertgoode6713]

Worst part of war for me was coming "home."

[@jeremiahharrington2380]

This movie might have had some silly hollywood parts, which those who know will only see, and it gets trashed in those circles... but it's the only movie that explains exactly why I'm contracting still 7 years after retirement. I feel worthless at home. I tried one job, back in the States, for about 2 weeks. I couldn't do it. It paid well, was a good company, and I only worked half the year. Couldn't do it. Went straight back to Afghanistan, and since we were ran out of there, now in Iraq, because in those places, I mean more, and am a part of something bigger. The adrenaline is a secondary reward to the bigger picture.

[@spartan11265]

My question is what would be going through someone’s head with there first defuse? Takes more then massive balls to do EOD, in my own opinion.

[@EvansmomCat]

What a fantastic take. ❤

[@TooBeaucoup]

Dude your videos are awesome 👌. keep up the good work 👏

[@LOLMAN9538]

Kathryn Bigelow knew exactly what she was dealing with when she did this film, and by golly, she crushed it out of the park.

[@klikitzsmith8416]

Thanks, I have seen it a few times and didnt understand or appriciate it. Now I do, its a pity this movie needs to come with instructions or maybe im just too silly to figure it out on my own.

[@wasabi-in-my-eye3134]

I renamed this mov file to "Hawkeye - origin" I'm a happy man.

[@alejandrodecesare5929]

Don't forget Falcon...funny their personalities somehow echo their counterparts in Avengers

[@michaelfried3123]

Great analysis of a great movie.

[@monten3801]

Initially this movie very much made me think of The War Lover starring Steve McQueen, which I don't think had a deep subtext. Luckily for me and everyone else I had no opportunity to be in combat because it was clear to me that if I personally were required to turn off my humanity and live in such intensity and fury I would most likely have to destroy myself rather than potentially put those around me at risk by returning to civilization. Besides that point I couldn't imagine living what I'm guessing would seem like a very mundane existence without the chance to be in harms way to protect others. While I'm just an old boring retired tax accountant with an uneventful life, I've always been aware of the side of myself that seemed like it would be able to act without a care. But the greater part of me that could not live with myself were that unleashed. Basically these classic war movies allow me to feel that full experience. Both the numb exhilaration of action/power followed by the soul shattering feeling of being responsible for the remaining lifetime lost by the human that was "the enemy".

[@evanwetzel8641]

He's saying you'll learn my methodology. That's all. Great analysis

[@literaturayviajes6794]

Great analysis, thank you

[@ExemplarKyle]

I only went overseas one time. Without going into detail, it wasn't a combat zone, but I refueled planes, helicopters, and drones going into/out of dangerous areas. There was a constant sense of urgency, of purpose. The only thing that mattered was the mission. And it felt absolutely amazing to get the work done; To put all of your training to good use. It was the most fun I had in my entire career. Going from that to civilian life is *jarring.* Every single job and task is mundane by comparison. You actually begin to miss constantly being under pressure, to the point of thriving when you're handed a project with a tight deadline, or a similar under-pressure situation. I'll be the first to admit, I put work ahead of real life too often for too little reward. So, if I feel that way having been in a non-combatant role, I can only imagine how much that feeling is amplified for combat veterans. And I do not envy them.

[@eancola6111]

My cousin was with the engineers and did a short stint with an EOD unit, he has some interesting stories even for only doing it a couple of weeks

[@chriskaprys]

I appreciate your thoughtful perspective. ✌This story and its characters mean a helluva lot to me, and the shots of him staring at a wall of cereal in the sterilized comfort zone of the supermarket are, for me, the most indelible and haunting. A few additional thoughts: having lived for years in day-to-day high stress scenarios, I'd say the adrenaline surge itself is not the "addiction", though it is an important piece of the whole picture. Adrenaline in that state becomes like oxygen - it's the resource your body depends upon to get the job done. And while it does have a physiological effect, and people can get addicted to it, I think the "rush" and the "drug" that war provides is the microcosms of life-and-death decision making that it lays directly at your feet. The whole world shrinks into pure immediacy, simplicity, over and over, and if you survive those moments, and it becomes your normal, then stability, calm, predictability and emotional complexity become more and more foreign to your whole body. That's why I think this film's depiction feels so apt to me, because it chooses to show these characters' experiences like they're happening in a bubble, both inside and outside the larger picture of the whole war. (Also, pure adrenaline rush in a fight-or-flight situation generally shuts down your ability to act rationally, whereas James seems to be simply "breathing" the adrenaline while logically figuring out and disarming each bomb. So while I'm sure his heart would be racing, that in itself is not the "thrill" he's after.) I get the feeling that James didn't have a rock solid sense of identity before being called upon to save lives by disarming bombs. He likely had a chaotic upbringing, and his psyche was missing a few crucial pieces .. but instead of a dissociative response leading him to becoming a sociopath or psychopath, he had just enough empathy and humanity mixed into his ego that he could will his talents (exercising control over a deadly situation in the midst of chaos, however unfortunate the origins of those talents may be...) to be used to save lives. And *that* is the drug. Exactly what you mentioned in the video: being useful. Yes. Bingo. I think, more than comfort and wealth and convenience, what scratches one of the deepest primal itches in our Selves is that sense of being useful, of being a part of a larger picture in some meaningful way. That's why James doesn't need the praise, doesn't need to be recognised as a hero, doesn't follow protocol if it gets in the way of the ultimate goal (disarm the bomb; save lives). And when war provides such a powerful mould for the identity of someone like that - who thrives better in chaos than in stability, who feels like an alien when visiting the very world/lives that he's protecting - then to ask him to give it up, to hang up his talents and the direct-feedback mainline to that sense of being immediately useful ... well that's quite the drug indeed. And then, in terms of addiction, to give up that incredibly intense drug/realm would be to start on a path of rehabilitation, learning who you are and how to live in a way that feels so bland that you may as well be numb. It's like asking someone sighted to give up their vision, or at least their ability to see colour, and only see the world in greyscale. It's not impossible, but it's quite the herculean task. If your greatest sense of self, sense of meaning, sense of belonging, is saving lives by defusing bombs, then who are you when you're back home, raising a kid, shopping for groceries, having mundane conversations with emotionally complex humans who have found their sense of identity somewhere outside of that intense chaos ... you might feel like an alien who's borrowed a Human Suit, even though you and your loved ones are safe and all your needs are being met. Meanwhile, if the war is still there, and you know how many lives you could be saving while you're sitting at home bouncing your baby on your knee and eating cheerios and watching sitcoms ... hell, that's like trying to go sober while you've still got your dealer on speed dial. Good luck to anyone trying to rebuild their lives from scratch.

[@ChadVulpes]

5:45 He could have lied, or at least not be entirely certain. When a colonel asks you how many bombs you defused, you say how many bombs you defused.

[@AnonymousAccount514]

Wow…this is different than how I remember it…I should watch it again

[@nicolasbedoya60]

I was waiting a video talking like this about this movie for a long time i've always seen those videos like experts react where they show clips of this movie with no context at all of james deactivating bombs without following the procedure to real eod's and they obviously were going to say that the movie is shit and inaccurate, etc but i think the were mising the real point of the movie that is the psyque of sgt james that i think its the most realistic of all

[@LifeIsAStory]

Yeah I mean if you are watching a movie for proper EOD procedure, you’re better off watching a documentary on it imo.

[@dishsoap1]

Just found your channel. You are doing great work. Good quality and analysis! Subscribed.

[@mauriceortiz8817]

Thank you. Compelling and well though out.

[@BlckJack123]

The harsh reality is that being in Iraq was James' comfort zone and that is why he went back to it.

[@MrLukaspiloto]

And it have one more thing : James always knew exactly what he was doing, because when the bomb exploded, he faced the explosion knowing that his suit would hold the shockwave and debris that way. Thompson didn't done it (for lack of the vast experience that James had in that situation), kept his back to the explosion and got killed

[@martinmartinmartin2996]

Yes !! 12:06/13: "Almost every man at some point went to WAR " My people didn't ... we were almost wiped out for 2,000 years ...ALMOST : dispersed and kicked around... NOW today: don't mess with us...those that remain that have built a fierce country.

[@808INFantry11X]

Yeah no if only that were true if only.

[@adamclausen6806]

The supermarket scene sums it up for me.

[@StefanTetelepta]

Trauma specialist Bessel van der Kolk mentioned The Hurt Locker because of the trauma and ptsd of James. That he cant feel anything besides the adrenaline in his work. He even cant love his own son. Bessel van der Kolk worked with veterans.

[@shehroonkhanz]

Excellent explanation.

[@lemonjames8803]

Great analysis, you get a like from me.

[@regibson23]

If Brian Geraghty (Eldridge) is in your movie you know you're in trouble. Guy's a jinx. Flight and Jarhead come to mind.

[@AnnaStoller]

I was obsessed with this when I was 10 years old

[@rufust.firefly6352]

My favorite part is when he looks up and down the isle at the supermarket at all the cereal...I had a moment like that myself when I returned. Oh so banal...

[@larry1824]

Grocery store sequence haunting and eerie

[@trashcaninc.292]

James embodies "i get it right or it isnt my problem anymore"

[@scarymonsters9130]

The cereal isle scene is agonizing it’s almost comparable to the shower scene

[@Frankenberryoneone]

Wonderful analysis. Greatly appreciate it. I'd like to comment on a small thing you mentioned. It isn't relevant to the overall message of the video. Warfare in ancient history was to the best of my knowledge for the most part not like you describe it. The following is an oversimplification so take it with a grain of salt. In the ancient Greece military campaigns we're often short so it would have minimal impact on harvest season and the fatal casualties were usually not that high on either side. Famous battles and wars that we know from ancient history such as the Greek - Persian Wars, Alexanders Conquest or much later the Punic Wars were a different breed of military conflict that sometimes lasted decades with huge casualties. But we also often tend to forget that there were "long" spans of time in-between (or sometimes during) some of the bloodiest of the conflicts. For instance there was an entire 50 years between the 2nd and the 3rd Punic War. We often tend to forget that 50 years for the people who lived back was a long time of relative peace because we - today - tend to look back and only see the bigger picture. The big political changes and the defining moments of history. My point is that the average man of the ancient world didn't see war and if he did seen war often it didn't involve the brutality or death casualties that we often think of from the defining conflicts of ancient history.

[@Alex94able]

I loved your Analysis!!! An i love this movie!

[@SolidKore]

Or James has the same disregard for his own life to get the job done, much like the people they're trying to fight. When you have nothing to lose, they have nothing to take. James holds the same Devil-may-care attitude as the very people who set the trap he has to disarm in the first place. Long story short, It takes one to beat one.

[@thomaskositzki9424]

I think the commet should start with an "and" instead of an "or". It seems to me your comment adds to the picture whilst the video still jolds true.

[@FrankCastiglione]

7:18 / 12:13 Exactly! And ironically, Elon Musk thinks this way too. He revealed this in a conversation on Joe Rogan's podcast: "...doing something useful for other people. That I like doing". 9:26 Looks like that 007 Casino Royale's scene (not with Vesper). When I watched this movie for the first time, I was "apathetic". But then I started to remember the "talk to the baby" scene and how profound it was compared to the rest of the movie. Now, reading the comments, I ended up making a connection with the end of the series "Life on Mars" (UK). I won't give spoilers, but both seem to deal with the same theme, but with a diametrically opposite prism. It seems that each character makes the same decision, within what their own reality allows.

[@dawnmarie506]

@212 You state SGT James lost his job? He did not lose his job or did I miss something?

[@karimvaleev1997]

Thank you for constructive review.

[@johanfogel2795]

I think you nailed it and loved the film :) Can agree that some part of the cowboy things was ridiculous. As a three tour Swedish vet I recognized a few things. The feeling of being a bit lost in the civilian world. Love the scene with the cereal boxes, it felt like a "fuck this I know war not to to choose cereals". Life sometimes are easier on tour then at home. Also as you mention the feeling as a few wants to listen when you get back, I think about the scene in the kitchen when he talks to his ex-wife about a candy truck being blowup and the ex-wife just "could you please chop the carrots" Just brilliant scene :D Four years since I retired but a little part of me will always wanna go another tour...

[@LifeIsAStory]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed! Really appreciate the comment as well, it is always great to get hear from those who actually lived through the experiences Hollywood tries to portray on screen. And it’s especially gratifying to know my video hit on some of things you were feeling.

[@davidmiranda7384]

Good video mate I think he becames a avenger after he leaves the military same as his mate

[@LifeIsAStory]

Thanks! And that seems to be the case lol.

[@geoswan4984]

Aaron, you called Kathryn Bigelow brilliant. So, I checked to see if you have a video about her other film, 0 dark 30. Many commentators seem to be unaware of Bigelow's horrible moral compromise, and the enormous lies that film helped perpetuate. I'll look to see if you do cover it, in future.

[@GMx_1]

I just saw this movie about a month ago for the first time. What a great movie, a bit odd for sure. I am glad i saw it before this though, as now with new ideas in my head i would like to watch it again.

[@catherineharris4746]

Outstanding!👍 I have an idea that will surely boost your views 💡There's an explosion of recap channels that popped up and are getting millions of views in just a few weeks, I guarantee if you add the word "recap" to your titles or your channel name that you'll blow up with subscribers and views from everywhere. You do an excellent job of describing these movies and I'm sure that everyone else that likes recaps will enjoy your work as well, Thanks👍

[@ThereIsAlwaysaWay2]

Dear Sir ..... you are a Walking God.

[@williamshears9953]

Iraq setting was Oscar bait. Could have set it in a fictional war or space and it would have been an even better movie with no inaccuracies, but it wouldn't have gotten accolades.

[@LifeIsAStory]

The writer of the movie went to Iraq and met with actual EODs, so I think he wanted the film to be a reflection of what he saw. The director didn’t go, so I think that is where the inaccuracies string from.

[@williamshears9953]

@@LifeIsAStory eh I went to Iraq too. The movie is a very bad film about the Iraq war despite being a pretty good 'war film'. You (royal) could have done the same character study set in lots of conflicts with eod like Vietnam or the invasion of Ganymede (or whatever fictional thing) but it had to be in the topical conflict of the time despite not actually having anything to say about that conflict other than there's lots of bombs I guess? Not really trying to argue this is just something I like to rant about lmao

[@bennettroberts4155]

@@LifeIsAStory the inaccuracies largely are due to the DOD not giving the help they were supposed to. They refused to help after she refused to cut the body bomb scene. She only had a budget of like 7 mil and couldent afford more trucks and good military advisors

[@dmoon9037]

@F. Dixon Nahrwold I concur. War was merely the canvas for the film’s motivation.