Zero Dark ThirtyMovie Reviews

  • Go Based on 21,990 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Must Go!
    Written January 11, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by

    My boys thought there should have been more action, but I loved this flick! I thought it had just the right balance of action, suspense, and drama and built up well to the final culmination of "Jeronimo! Jeronimo! For God and country!"

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written January 13, 2013

    Starts Slow But Ends Well

    by Thomas.zessman

    Like most serious films, it's needlessly long. The first hour is largely unnecessary, very sobering, and doesn't even introduce us to the characters as any more than stereotypes. Learning their names would have helped. I have no idea why the torture scenes were included - to show us how tough Maya is? The film purports to be based on first-hand accounts, but we now know that torture did not lead directly to bin Laden, so, again, why is it here? It seems gratuitous. The film shifts into another gear, however, when Maya returns to Langley for the run-up to the invasion in Abbottabad. We meet the Navy Seals (the Canaries) and the scenes of the attack are riveting. They even deliver a moment or two of humor. The last 60 minutes are terrific and the actual assault is amazing. Overall, it's definitely worth seeing but keep your expectations low and settle in for a long film.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 28, 2013

    Real Heroes

    by lute70

    This is a great movie and a very interesting look at the CIA and Navy Seals. These folks all deserve our thanks for trying to keep us safe.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 13, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by oninkn51

    The movie was good was what I wanted to see about the CIA and the Navy Seals were amazing..I like it and is sad these things had to happened BUT they did happened...

    I say go....

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 14, 2013

    Go See It

    by LoyalExpert

    I thought the movie was great and all. But it felt longer than it was. Of course there was also some points that just didn't add up to what had really went on and what was really used, but oh well it is just a movie.

    • 7 out of 10 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written February 10, 2013

    Great Movie-apolitcal but inspiring

    by barry1133

    Strongly recommended to see- one comment to anyone going to movies. Please turn off your cell phones and be quiet during the movie. We saw this excellent movie in Manhattan, the annoying couple behind us would not stop talking and eating the dinner they brought with them to the theater. Talking is a real problem in a movie, made worse when you are spitting your dinner during the movie and the comments you make, show your intelligence. SIt back, enjoy and be quiet.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    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.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written January 28, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty -- Good Flick

    by tomhenry

    We have been hearing so much about this movie, and it lived up to its billing. Good overall plotline, good character acting, and good suspense as they build to the ending (which you know already but nonetheless are anticipating as you follow along). And we did not find the detainee scenes to be too graphic (we had heard those were bad, but they were not). All in all a good flick.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written January 28, 2013

    Eye Opener

    by

    This is one of those circumstances where its hard to say that I actually enjoyed the movie, but I'm certainly glad I saw it. I don't know how much of this movie was actually based on true events and how much of it was embellished by Hollywood, but assuming that even 3/4's of it was based on actual events, it certainly opened my eyes to the harsh realities of what is involved in our Country's fight against terrorist. I now realize how privileged and sheltered my life has been and how very thankful I am that we have so many brave women and men willing to put their lives on the line for our country and our very privileged way of life. With that having been said, Director Kathryn Bigelow did a fabulous job, and Jessica Chastain's performance was amazing. It's definitely not a movie I would want to sit through more than once, but it was an absolute must see.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • So-so
    Written January 20, 2013

    First Half is Incomprehensible

    by nrobert2

    While Chastaine's performance is superb from start to finish, she was honestly the only thing that kept me in my seat through the first half of the movie. Between the Spookese and the rapid delivery of the lines, I was in the dark about most of what was happening until about the middle of the movie. Once they had zeroed in on the target, it became a little easier to follow the action. I realize the screenwriters have a challenge - make it "real," or make it a story that can be understood. I don't work for the CIA. I don't know that world, or the private language all professions develop. I'd be equally lost in a real operating room (versus a movie version). But to make a story fly, you have to clue your viewers in a little better than this!

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Go
    Written February 4, 2013

    Zero dark thirty

    by masteredq

    I learned how dedicated some of our working citizens in the Government really are. I was once a Government employee and I also was dedicated to our country. It seemed to take for ever to find OBL, the animal that changed America. Her delight at the end of the movie was very similar to mine, when I heard OBL had been killed. Although the movie was not as true to the real happening(4 helicopters not two), it still presented the story very well. Also, showed
    that politicians should stay out of military decisions. God Bless America and the troops.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    Hard As Nails Depiction Of True American Justice Dispensed Long Overdue.

    by Alon Patterson

    This is a dramatic reenactment of the end of the life of a genuine monster who wore the guise of humanity; one evil and despicable beyond any just description and whose wildly sadistic and deviant superstitions used God as rationale with zeal to mass murder. This film has but one minor fault as I see it. Simply put, it doesn't take enough moments in pause to gratefully reflect on all the victims, civilian and combatant, who gave the last great measure of their time here on earth, in service or innocence. at the hands of this vile creature and his minion. This isn't really a fault of this film maker though, for she genuinely does dutiful honor to all the people who relentlessly pursued this despicable creature and continue to do so where Its followers are concerned to this day. More importantly, she does the truth proud here. Bravo Ms. Bigelow! Well done madam! See her film folks. She's earned our respect...and be entertained in the ugly thing's demise. Send a message to his kind.

    • 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written February 3, 2013

    Thoughtt-Provoking

    by

    The movie was long.
    It was graphic.
    It has foul language.
    It has tragedy.
    It has very good writing.
    It is violent.
    It reminds you of how hated Americans are.
    It reminds you of how Americans lead the world for so many good and kind reasons.
    It makes you sad about everything that had to be done, and all the people that were hurt, to stop an infamous terrorist.
    Most of all, this movie makes you think a lot about this about peace and safety enjoyed every day by Americans, and friends of America, and how hard so many brave patriots are working around the world, 24 hours a day, every day to make the world a safer place.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written January 17, 2013

    Zero Dark30

    by TX_Norm

    It is dark, it does show the hell our people go through. Makes you realize that there are poeple in our government who do care. Acting is excellent.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No
  • Must Go!
    Written February 2, 2013

    Riveting from start to finish!

    by luvcabos

    Despite knowing how this film would end, I was thoroughly engaged throughout. The director clearly arms the audience with the pros and cons of torture tactics, and it is up to the viewer to decide whether or not the end justifies the means. This film did not have the feeling of an over the top blockbuster, but rather a more than likely realistic portrayal of the way things unfolded since 9.11. Intelligence insiders apparently panned this movie b/c they felt it was not an accurate depiction, but frankly, I don't care. One horrible, evil threat to our nation was extinguished, and that's what matters. Either way, I'm very proud of the men and women who have protected and served our country, and those who continue to get the job done.

    • 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
    • Was this helpful to you? 
    • Yes
    • No

Zero Dark Thirty Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

Go
21,990 fan reviews

Critics say

Must Go! See all critic reviews

Tweets About Zero Dark Thirty

91% positive
Join the conversation

killetheth finally watched Zero Dark Thirty earlier. so refreshing watching female directed films...

4 hours ago.

mzjamjad7 Zero dark thirty was junk! They went there, couldn't find the jackpot... Had to make up bin laden to justify entering pakistani premises

4 hours ago.

meredithled Everyone's tweeting about Lebron and I'm over here like Zero Dark Thirty was definitely the best thing to spend my night watching

5 hours ago.

truejpg Watched almost all of Zero Dark Thirty. So far so good:)

5 hours ago.

henchman21 Am I the only one who was really, really bored by ZERO DARK THIRTY?

5 hours ago.

Zero Dark Thirty Featured Trailers + Video Clips

Watch All Videos

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