Zero Dark ThirtyMovie Reviews


  • Go Based on 22,182 reviews
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 16, 2013

    Riveting!

    by

    It is amazing how they turned years of dull investigation into an exciting build to finding Bin Laden. They then topped it off with an edge-of-your seat raid where we already knew the outcome. Somehow, it didn't matter that we knew the outcome, it was still riveting.

    I was glad to see that the interrogation had me less disturbed than the scene where James Bond was tortured in Casino Royale. Yes, it was much more realistic but less disturbing.

    This is a must see thriller that has a great shot at Oscars.

    • 36 out of 66 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 22, 2013

    my pick for Oscar this year

    by chichicinema

    This is a well-crafted, suspenseful and compelling film. Has a documentary feel but is so much more entertaining.
    My heart was in my throat for the second half due to the suspenseful build up of elements.

    Jessica Chastain was excellent as was the entire cast. Only unfortunate casting is James Gandolfini as Leon Panetta. The audience actually tittered as soon as he came on-screen. It's a real disbelief breaker when Tony Soprano steps on as Sec of Defense.

    Must see this film.

    • 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 27, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by wlsattorney

    I went expecting to love this movie...but I found it to be extremely boring. I have read that it is slow-moving, but trust me, it is simply a very boring and drawn out storyline.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written January 21, 2013

    zero dark thirty

    by rdever

    I thought was very good film, while pales to Bigelow's Hurt Locker. The worst part was for first 20 minutes of movie, nearly inaudible. Hard to hear as well as clarity of voices. They must have seen this in editing but 1) cost too much to alter or 2) felt that material was superfluous
    and it was more what was happening that truly impportant. Whaterever reason was poor one.
    Sound for first 20 minutes was similar to what you would expect from slim to no budget film.

    I never notice this in most films, so fact that neither husband or I could understand is remarkable.

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

    Thrilling

    by cjbreece

    I loved it all. Thought it was directed as well or better than Argo, the other political true-life thriller of the year. I was not so impressed with the acting, but it was still an emotional experience to watch the story of UBL's undoing come together.

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 12, 2013

    A relentless docudrama with intense intiative

    by HoodCritic1

    Kathryn Bigelow has mastered the concept of "quiet tension" and that mastery was in full effect in "Zero Dark Thirty." Working with Mark Boal's screenplay really brought the story of the 10 year pursuit of Bin Laden to an emotional high and the direction was perfectly paced. Jessica Chastain was superb as Maya, the CIA operative who spearheaded the hunt for Bin Laden and his inner circle. The scene where Squad 6 raided the compound was as epic as it gets. It was like watching it happen in real life. This is a film that can't be missed.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 26, 2013

    Extremely well done, and a great thriller.

    by bballman3

    Very intriguing movie with characters that reflect our history pefectly. Deep and interesting back story with a satisfying ending. Not a movie that I would see again for a while, but definitely one of m absolute favorites.

    • 6 out of 7 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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  • Go
    Written January 12, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty

    by Summitmoviecritic

    A bit long for my taste and the story line was not s compelling as advertised. Great insights on CIA and tenacity of the field agent that found him. Ending was disappointing.

    • 9 out of 13 found this review helpful.
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  • 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 22, 2013

    Engaging, disturbing, thought-provoking... all of the above

    by rizalyn

    Was it me or were the explosions extra explosive? You're in the big leagues now, mister.

    The torture scenes were truly disturbing, but I failed to see what the big deal was all about. I'm sure we're not the only country that uses these techniques. I would even venture to say that we are probably tame compared to others. With that said, I wouldn't mess with our guys.

    The movie is really thought-provoking and requires a level of concentration and focus to really follow the events leading up to UBL's death. It's a satisfyging ending that makes your realize the work that goes into protecting our country and the "unrecognized" people who do that work.

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

    Good movie, not great!

    by gpfboyjs

    Overall a very entertaining movie, there were no slow parts to the movie and it was engaging. Obviously made for the screen, with all the Hollywood effects. It would be good to know what was real in the movie and what was Hollywood. This is my reasoning for not giving it a full 5, I would say it's 4 to 4.5. It was worth the money.

    • 5 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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  • I'm In
    Written January 12, 2013

    Zero Dark Thirty Hits the Nail on the Head

    by Michael Muldowney

    After seeing this movie, it is easy to see what all the controversy is about. It seems like a very accurate depiction of the events leading up to the capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden. It was no surprise to me that our president and government officials dragged their feet for over 3 months after acquiring the intel. Thank God our special ops team completed their mission without casualties. Some people forget that over three THOUSAND of our innocent citizens were MURDERED on 9/11.

    B-

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 16, 2013

    A PIVOTAL PORTRAIT OF THE HUNT AND DEATH OF OSAMA BIN LADEN.

    by Peneflix

    Kathryn Bigelow has scored again (?The Hurt Locker?) with this meticulous, intricate scenario of the decade long hunt and slaying of the world?s most sought after terrorist, Osama Bin Laden; she is religious in depicting the reality of the quest and CIA operative ?Maya?s? intransigent dedication to finding this heinous villain. Jessica Chastain gives a quietly explosive performance as a woman whose vision and mission will not be swayed or felled by mere government officials; Maya?s entire career has been informed by the crusade to capture/death of the madman who visited upon the Unites States its worst massacre and the demise of a freedom so pure, so entrenched in democracy, never to be tasted again...

    FIVE STARS!!!!!

    ***For full review please visit peneflix (dot) com!!!

    • 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Zero Dark Thirty Movie Reviews + Ratings

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ElizabelleM Ever since I watched Zero Dark Thirty (4 days ago) I'm seeing the word "tradecraft" everywhere.

8 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

8 days ago.

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

8 days ago.

Leonaa_Always Finally watched Zero Dark Thirty

8 days ago.

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

8 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