Zero Dark Thirty Review
It has now been more than six years since Navy SEAL Team 6 pulled off an amazing mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan near the Afghanistan border.
And to this day I have not seen or read anything that captures that mission – and the incredible amount of fact-finding work that went into setting up the operation – better than the movie Zero Dark Thirty by the Oscar-winning team of director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal.
It’s a lengthy movie – just over 2½ hours – but the action and suspense make the time fly by quickly.
The acting in this pulsating thriller is superb. Viewers will find no problem becoming immersed in the lives of the CIA agents whose goal is to capture the man most responsible for the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans on September 11, 2001.
Let me address two issues with this film very quickly – violence and language. It’s rated R for strong violence including disturbing images and for language. Yes, it’s violent, and the interrogation scenes are intense. But I was actually surprised that it was not more violent. I’ve seen episodes of 24 on network television that were more violent.
As far as the language is concerned, all I can tell you is that if the F-word bothers you in movies, this film is probably not for you because it’s used many times.
The film starts with audio only of 911 calls made by people inside the World Trade Center towers after terrorists flew planes into them. That sets the tone for the first two hours of the movie, which show the progress of the incredibly daunting task to find bin Laden.
The final 30 minutes display the courageous SEALs in action as they risk their lives for their country and perform a nearly flawless mission.
But the real hero of this film is America, which is portrayed by CIA operative Maya. Played by Jessica Chastain, she’s the one who refuses to give up when one roadblock after another derails the chase.
She’s the one who is 100 percent convinced that Osama bin Laden is in the compound discovered after a courier is followed there. She’s the one whose single-minded pursuit of evil is an inspiration to people who still believe that justice must be served.
This film is not particularly political and it doesn’t tell the viewer how to think about how the trail to bin Laden was painstakingly carved out and followed. And that’s good. But I’m not a film director, so I will tell you what I think.
Despite the fact that former President Obama took credit for the kill, a vast majority of the investigative work behind the operation came while George W. Bush was president.
In fact, while the hunt for bin Laden was going on, Obama said to television cameras that America does not torture and America will not torture.
That’s a wonderful statement and I’m sure it made members of the Left smile until their faces cracked. But here’s the truth – bin Laden would not have been discovered and killed if America did not torture. Like it or not, that’s the way it is.
As the film and many other sources have clearly revealed, the path to bin Laden was carved out with the “enhanced interrogation techniques” used by CIA operatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Sorry, but bad guys don’t give up crucial information by being placed in air-conditioned hotels with pools and free food and drinks, followed by a friendly chat by the fireplace.
Hopefully, there will never be another Osama bin Laden in America’s future. But if there is, I’m confident that American Special Forces will rise to the task and deal with him.
I bought that movie right after it came out watch it often. The seal team that got that mission was a top notch team. I can’t imagine they would allow their reputation to be jeopardized over a non existent mission. All the branches of Services that make up a team are the best of the best.
It’s hard to believe that people believe 911 attacks were master-minded by Osama bin-Laden when evidence clearly shows this was an inside job that rigged the buildings for controlled demolition. The WTC outlived its usefulness and a clever plan was devised to demolish the building and incite fear of terrorism in the hearts of naive Americans.
Many believe that events depicted in this movie are fictitious. The then president may have played the “I got Bin Laden” card when approval ratings were at a low point. Whether or not it actually happened, the movie was well done!
I can’t believe you’re so naive or blind to believe all this Osama Bin Laden bull$&#.
We know who are the responsible people. Initials GB I’ll say no more
Its a movie. What do you expect, John Wayne flying the chopper? We in the military don’t really cuss that much, even in combat. Only people like law enforcement will cuss that much. We in the military are to professional to use language like that. Now, if we were to relate a story to one another, then the F bomb will be dropped every now and then; but, not to that extent.
Maya was real. She did her job and followed every lead. Yes there is a good ole boy policy that is in the military, but, to the extent whereby when someone has a good idea or lead is put on the back burner. The military has changed a lot since it has gotten burned with its male Calvinistic attitudes of Desert Storm.
If you are really interested in what had happened submit a freedom of information on this issue. You will be surprise of what really went down.
Saw the movie and if truly depicted, the CIA officer, (female), was put into the good old boy network and had the fight of her life. She was right and am glad to see that it was portrayed that way. GREAT for America. Real stick to your guns mentality.
Thank you for giving the info of this film. Looking forward to seeing it, and would not have known it existed w/o your help here. Many blessings to you. Kristi
Hope you enjoy the film if you get a chance to watch it. I notice that it is on cable TV periodically.