Zero Dark ThirtyMovie Reviews

  • Go Based on 21,979 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • So-so
    Written January 12, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by artnmarli

    I don't understand the hype. This movie was ok, but very long and slow; a better editor would have cut at least 30 minutes out of it. Given the length of the movie, what's also odd is when they skipped over things, making the viewer have to process and figure out what happened. Don't let the talk about torture deter you; I am very squeamish and was perfectly able to handle it. The last scene, however, made me furious -- a gratuitous typical female scene that was way out of character. Overall, if you want to see a historical thriller, go see Argo which was way, way better.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 15, 2013

    Intense Stark Drama - Superbly Directed - But Not Hopeful

    by NY Occasional Movie Goer

    This is an excellent movie. I often do not like Hollywood depictions of historical events, because they warp history to reflect their current political bias: this movie avoids that fatal error. It contains many of the historical factual events and actions, including types of torture, without trying to make a direct political point. It is stark, mirroring the central subjects of terrorism and revenge. The story is fascinating yet it is told with stoicism, not romanticism. It is an intense story of several manhunts that are ultimately successful, yet require the sacrifice of the lives of several hunters to the ruthlessness and savagery of the hunted terrorists. The only flaw in the movie is that it accurately teaches the lesson that our current politicians could never have successfully started this process of revenge due to their weaknesses. Therefore, America today cannot hope to defeat these terrorists, until we suffer an even greater tragedy that once again unleashes our avengers.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 13, 2013

    Historically significant but tedious

    by thepenster

    I cannot say that this film is "good".
    Being based on a true story makes it significant, but also tedious and too long.
    Tha acting is competent but not outstanding . I feel like, because it covers such sensitive material, people are judging it to be better than it is. If had not been based on truth it never would have been a movie. I understand the director's quest, and it is a noble one, but the result is not satisfying.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 13, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by buttonedward

    Very intense, well done..not sure you could call it entertaining but definitely something to see. Action at its finest. Acting at its best as well.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 22, 2013

    Rock solid

    by shl4wine

    If you are a student of our efforts to track down and kill those responsible for the worst act of terrorism on American soil you should go see this move!

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 14, 2013

    Excellent docudrama

    by jhs39

    What could have been a dry two and a half hour exploration of the hunt for Osama Bin Laden over more than a decade was a gripping and surprisingly fast paced film. It's a shame Kathryn Bidelow didn't get an Academy Award nomination for director but Zero Dark Thirty was easily one of the best films of the year.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 14, 2013

    better than I expected

    by ajibaji

    I enjoyed very much how the two women tracked down the information and painstakingly built a case while the torture and hard interrogations yielded either wrong or no information. It was like a detective story unfolding. The acting was wonderful and the actual raid and escape the last half hour of the film were hair raising even through you knew the outcome. Very good film, well directed. I recommend it.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written February 19, 2013

    Excellent history

    by pteten

    A serious even-handed telling of one of the most momentous events since WWII. Thankfully lacking in Hollywood caricatures. It's so gratifying to learn about the brilliant, dedicated and determined intelligence officers out there working the fence lines for us. Argo is enjoyable but not nearly this good. This is the real thing and told well.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 13, 2013

    Well Crafted Docudrama.

    by

    What can be said about this movie...It is very well done. I was surprised how difficult some of the scenes were to watch as I felt a great sadness in seeing what was done to end a ten year hunt. The movie is not an action packed movie like Act of Valor but rather an attempt to show Americans what happens in the world of intelligence and anti-terrorism. Like I said this movie will strike a nerve even if you are not naive to tactics of intelligence gathering but I felt that everything was portrayed in a way that could be understood.

    Overall a good movie with outstanding actors that was visually striking.

    • 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 14, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by pleazthesweaz

    The question of did it actually happen this way is still up for debate since only those who were actually there know for sure. But there are 2 things that aren't debatable. There were people who devoted their careers to finding Osama bin Laden to the point of obsession and brave men put their lives on the line to finally make it happen. The movie has you asking questions about "enhanced interrogation" like did it happen? Should it have happened? Would you have the stomach do it? If not, is it right for you to expect someone else to?
    At the end of the day it is a movie, but one that brave men and women live some version of every day. I found the desperate search for puzzles pieces and the navigation of red tape fascinating. I appreciated that director Kathryn Bigelow didn't over power the nail-biting final scenes with music and loved watching Jessica Chastain transform from queasy bystander to hardened agent. On the Pleaz the Sweaz scale, this was worth full price.

    • 35 out of 65 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    Zero Dark 30

    by reggert995

    Enjoyed the movie but very intense and not good for under 16 age group. Great job of acting by all in movie. If you like action movies, you have to see this one.

    • 18 out of 31 found this review helpful.
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    Written January 28, 2013

    Good, but you know the ending...

    by MWJ

    Well worth the ticket price....but not the best picture, I think Lincoln is the best. Good suspenseful buildup to the climax. Solid acting but as one reviewer said Jessica Chastain's character must have had a makeup-hair stylist at all times - not quite as gritty as reall life I would bet. I think everyone would enjoy the behind the scenes look at this event.

    • 12 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 16, 2013

    I expected more

    by Sanman1

    It was a good movie I just expected better with all the talk about it. It was too drawn out and the navy seal part that I really looked forward to paled in comparison to Act of Valor's portrayal of a Seal mission. I wish I had waited for it to come out on video.

    • 14 out of 23 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written January 12, 2013

    Go see it

    by cwolfe56

    Started a bit slow I thought. The trailers show a lot of SEAL team footage but they don't even come in until about 2/3rds of the way through the movie. If you like Homeland go see this flick. It's good it was just a little different than what I had expected based on the trailers.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 14, 2013

    Not So Great

    by dcb0515

    Beginning torture scenes and the final attack are pretty interesting but the rest is just about the redhead badgering everyone to continue in her direction. I should have just waited for the DVD rental.

    • 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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MyPillowFan Zero dark thirty was 1776x better than silver linings playbook

18 hours ago.

michaelabirek Just watched Zero Dark Thirty for the first time. There are no words.

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daltonklare Zero dark thirty was intense

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Slap_Bet zero dark thirty was good. the end was too similar to the hurt locker for my taste

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KatyKline All of you who say I never watch movies...just watched zero dark thirty

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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