Zero Dark ThirtyMovie Reviews


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    Written February 10, 2013

    Gripping and thought-provoking

    by RandytheMovieFan

    Like Argo, this tells a story you think you know but unveils so much more depth that it doesn't matter that you already know the ending. Unlike Argo, the personal side of the story is submerged and the film is fairly dry, so it's more like a history lesson at times. And it also is troubling in that it shows that torture can work to our advantage, and that to stop terrorists killing innocents, it's inevitable that some innocents will be killed by us. So I definitely recommend this movie, but be prepared for some scenes that will be quite disturbing.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 18, 2013

    Hollywood at Is Best

    by AlanSuss

    This is not a documentary! Its is a great hollywood movie with all the great acting and live like special effects. A good "cops and robbers" suspence and plot. Not for the squemish.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 14, 2013

    A Bit Disappointed

    by jmoulthrop

    I think there are always challenges when portraying real events that don't fit into a neat window of time. ZD30 takes place over a number of years and involves a complex series of events that doesn't translate well to the screen. I thought Kathryn Bigelow's direction was great, Jessica Chastain was masterful and the supporting cast fine as well. I just thought most of the movie, except for the last 35 minutes was boring and lacked a cohesive narrative. Maybe I've been spoiled by 24 and Homeland ( and the Hurt Locker). The movie never stops to focus on one character long enough to care about them. Jessica Chastain's character is , of course, the center piece but we never find out what motivates her. To sum up: I liked it and I thought Jessica Chastain deserves all of the accolades coming her way but it wasn't as good as I expected to be.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 13, 2013

    Murky early details, but solid payoff

    by OneFanOneOpinion

    Bigelow proveddshe's a first rate director with Hurt Locker. This one's rather busy, with many characters and details thrown into the mix. It's overlong, with many characters introduced, without a clear sense of their place in the proceedings. The emphasis on the gritty, dirty, detailed work of intelligence gathering is not glamorized...except for the lead female. Jessica Chastain does a very fine job with the role but I can't help but question whether there was too much Hollywood gloss put on this deep-behind-scenes character. Was she really diminished by her male colleagues? We still have that much chauvinist attitudes in the 2000's? If so...then she's an even greater hero than simply the well-deserved accolades for the diligent work of a successful investigator. The big payoff is the Bin Laden raid. Though there's only sketchy preparations provided for the raid itself, the actual evening of the raid if fabulously documented. A great conclusion to an important film.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 13, 2013

    Excellent!

    by

    I liked the film, tho I thought Jessica Chastain's character wasn't quite believable (seeing a man horribly tortured on her first day as an overseas CIA officer and NOT getting sick?)? Regardless the movie is a definite must see and gets you quickly wrapped up in the chase...

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 27, 2013

    Good Adult Entertainment

    by Intermittent Movie Goer

    We really liked the movie. Of course you always wonder exactly how much is artistic license versus how much is based on truth. Not for those weak of stomach. Definitely not for children of any age. Highlights how pathetic our political system is when dealing with foreign governments and their harboring of criminals. Unfortunately the young adult theater attendants feel that the public is as deaf as they are and the volume of the movie in the theater was excessively loud. With all of the flash bangs our ears were ringing as we left.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    WOW!

    by pfogelberg

    Greatly exceeded my expectations. Powerful, riveting, amazing. A dynamic conversation starter on American foreign and security policy. I hope every Member of the US Congess sees it. Absolutely a Must See.

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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    Written April 27, 2013

    Excellent Drama

    by

    I thought Zero Dark Thirty would be more of an action film, but it turned out to be okay that it wasn't. The drama and suspense is expertly paced throughout the film. Jessica Chastain's obsession becomes yours as she hunts Bin Laden through the years with only scraps of information to keep the trail alive. She sacrifices time and bits of her soul as she both inflicts and receives a great deal of pain to accomplish the task. Needless to say, this film is not for children. The climax is a thrilling triumph that satisfactorily fulfills the hours of suspense that precede it.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written February 9, 2013

    Fabulous action movie and I knew what was coming.

    by kriskris123

    I knew the ending but was jumping in my seat during the parts where the secret agents and the Seal Team were doing their thing. Thank God for the brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country. Great movie experience.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 12, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by Dyorke71080

    I was able to compare this movie to Seal Team 6. It had alot more detail, and I was appreciative of that. The dedication that Mya showed to take down Bin Laden was very inspiring. Good movie worth seing.

    • 6 out of 8 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 13, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by john126

    Very engaging and gripping film with a stellar performance by the female protagonist (an oxymoron no more, thank the Goddess)*. The film reveals the darker side of our medieval torture policies, gives volumes of specific information about the size and scope of the Bin Laden whack in great detail.

    The only flaw is that during the first half of the film (bordering on being a tad slow), there was not enough directoral and screenwriting attention given to distinguishing among the suits. We needed more info re their specific jobs and motivations. It is a problem, of course, because all Hollywood suits look alike (handsome Jack Armstrong types) and are cookie cut characters anyway. True in real life too, unfortunately.

    by
    John (I never publish anonymously) Fenn
    *I was furious to note that Edgerton an actor who plays a minor role) was listed first in the Fandango sexist description of the movie with the female lead listed below her. For shame!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 21, 2013

    Torture makes for a better movie

    by Rip523

    Initially I thought both the critical reviews and political reactions to the torture in this film so over-publicized would taint and ruin the enjoyment and experience of watching it for me. I ended up LOVING IT. (Especially if one likes Homeland). I found the torture scenes extremely necessary and appropriate to the build up of the story, particularly given the fact we know some waterboarding did take place immediately after 9/11. It was irrevelant to me who onscreen was in real life tortured like that. I thus found it repugnant and insulting that any movie critic of any meduim panned it because of the torture controversy, such as the one I read in the New York Review of Books. Did any one complain about the historic license taken in Lincoln? Certainly not strongly, if at all. So i say to all those critics whose negative reviews discouraged potential moviegoers from seeing this, SHUT UP. That goes for a few politicans as well.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 17, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty - must see

    by milesjohnson

    Any movie that puts you on the edge of the seat from the very beginning, and over the course of 2+ hours continues to increase your resting heart rate - is good by me. This one does that. The acting is supurb, the suspense is real (even though you know the ending). How many movies deliver that?

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 13, 2013

    Excellent Movie!

    by

    Let's not forget that it was 5 women in the CIA called the "Sisterhood" that tracked Osama Bin Laden for several years and finally found him with all their intelligence.
    It is portarayed in a movie called "Manhunt" coming out at Sundance this Jan. 2013.
    Just saying.......

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 13, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by PaPa Mel

    Interesting history of the search for Bin Laden. Really a story about the young woman in the CIA that did not give up on the search.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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ElizabelleM Ever since I watched Zero Dark Thirty (4 days ago) I'm seeing the word "tradecraft" everywhere.

7 days ago.

lisalush32 Watched Zero Dark Thirty last nite would normally hate those kinda films .. But I loved it think ending could have been better though

7 days ago.

INFAMOUZ_KING Just saw zero dark thirty... crazy ass movie.

7 days ago.

Leonaa_Always Finally watched Zero Dark Thirty

7 days ago.

yjxdi Zero dark thirty was gay af & i love these type of movies

7 days ago.

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Exclusive Features

Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interivew Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Jennifer Ehle and Kyle Chandler chat about the upcoming war thriller. The Frontrunners - Jessica Chastain Interview Fandango's Chief Correspondent Dave Karger interviews Jessica Chastain about her film 'Zero Dark Thirty' in this episode of 'The Frontrunners.' More Films on Fandango's Award Watch Valentine's Day Movies