In light of certain events, Columbia Pictures has spotlighted one of the most dangerous events in history leaving hearts banging against ribcages. Directed by Academy Award winning writer and director Kathryn Bigelow, “Zero Dark Thirty” is a 160-minute reenactment of the America’s biggest challenge: finding one of the most treacherous terrorists, who was hunted down for an entire decade before being killed by U.S. military in the dead of night. The film highlights the the hero behind this event, Maya (Jessica Chastain, from “The Help”), an undercover CIA agent, and the intense work and research it took to execute her self-assigned job. She was sent overseas to the Middle East where she focused on the tracking down of Osama bin Laden and his fellow terrorists. Through interrogation and extensive trial and error sessions, she fits together pieces of the most complicated puzzle ever solved and finally corners the world’s most feared and horrifying man, eliminating him from the face of the earth.

Rated R for strong violence (including brutal disturbing images and language), “Zero Dark Thirty” is definitely for older audiences ages 17 and up.  Torture and death are just some of the aspects included in this movie that are not meant for young eyes.  The American’s holding the minor Arab terrorists hostage used humiliation and drowning simulation to force information out of their corrupted minds. the reactions were very violent, with screaming and pleading.

Hollywood did a fantastic job authenticating the setting of the movie, from the night vision scenes to the pauses in the script that created auditory suspense. The director included scenes in the movie that made the audience feel like they were experiencing the hunt for Bin Laden in person. The suspense built up around the main plot, including exploding bombs and gunshots, really made the movie into a thriller and made everyone sit on the edge of their seats. The costumes and uniforms of Seal Team 6 were authentic and accentuated the seriousness of the situation of going into kill Bin Laden. Bigelow also did a fantastic job recreating the helicopters used to fly into the fortress silently. Their immense size and overwhelming aspect really gave the audience the feel of what it was like in 2011.

“Zero Dark Thirty” is a film that gives viewers a new window into the plot to kill Bin Laden and leaves viewers’ jaws open in awe.

by ARIANA LORDGE