When it comes to the best war films, the usual contenders such as “Apocalypse Now” and “Saving Private Ryan” are always in the conversation However, modern war films are sometimes overlooked in favor of the classic genre set in the conflicts of the 20th century

I would argue here that The Hurt Locker is the best portrayal of contemporary conflict in cinematic history While it is difficult to say that this engrossing war film is underrated (96% of Rotten Tomatoes attests to its quality, and it won the 2010 Academy Award for Best Picture), this Kathryn Bigelow feature film is easily on par with the genre's heavy hitters

Plus, it's a great film

Even better, “The Hurt Locker” has just been added to Tubi, one of the best free streaming services

If you are not familiar with this masterful war film, it is a brilliant depiction of modern conflict that is guaranteed to keep you glued to the screen

Set in the second year of the Iraq War, The Hurt Locker focuses on an elite team that performs one of the most difficult and dangerous jobs in war operations: disarming bombs in a live-fire zone

The film opens with the tragic death of the squad leader, Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson (Guy Pearce), when an IED detonates remotely during a demolition operation Unable to recover from this tragic incident, a new leader, Staff Sergeant William James (Jeremy Renner), is appointed

James has a completely different temperament and takes an unorthodox approach to the team's mission Soon, two of his men (Anthony McKee and Brian Geraghty) become increasingly concerned about the new leader's reckless orders and seeming indifference to the dangers they face on a daily basis

But as the surrounding city descends into increasingly violent chaos, they are forced to rely on each other, and James' true character is revealed The Hurt Locker also stars Christian Camargo, David Morse, Ralph Fiennes, and Evangeline Lilly”

“The Hurt Locker” deals with many of the same themes as classic war films, such as the moral conflicts faced by soldiers on the front lines and the immense emotional and physical toll that conflict takes on people So while not necessarily the most unique war film, it succeeds in exploring these elements in a very compelling way

The performances by the entire cast are excellent, especially Renner and McKee The bomb disposal scene is almost unbearably tense, and despite having seen the film several times before, one begins to sweat as it unfolds The Hurt Locker makes you feel like you're in the trenches with the heroes fighting to protect the people back home”

The film became a critical darling immediately after its release and to this day stands as one of the greatest war films of all time It won Best Picture at the 82nd Academy Awards, and Bigelow won four awards for Best Director, including Best Screenplay

Currently, The Hurt Locker holds an impressive score of 96% from nearly 300 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes When narrowed down by “top critics,” the score jumps to an almost perfect 99% In addition, the audience score is also quite high at 84%

Ed Koch of “The Atlantic” said, “‘The Hurt Locker’ is without a doubt one of the best war films I've ever seen Meanwhile, Kevin Maher of The Times of London described the Best Picture winner as “not just a war movie It is a war poem”

Meanwhile, Anne Hornaday of the Washington Post compared the film to several classics of the genre, saying, “‘The Hurt Locker’ is about Iraq in the same way that ‘Trail of Glory’ was about World War I or ‘Full Metal Jacket’ about Vietnam The Hurt Locker is about Iraq in the same way that Trail of Glory was about World War I or Full Metal Jacket about Vietnam The Hurt Locker is a great film Critics also described the film as “exhilarating” and “a great thriller”

If you like war movies, “The Hurt Locker” deserves a top spot on your watch list Boasting well-crafted action, engaging (and flawed) characters, and genius filmmaking by a director at the height of his powers, it is a gripping look at the war in Iraq While films set in Vietnam or World War II often dominate this popular genre, “The Hurt Locker” proves that modern war films can be just as haunting and more visceral

Even if you have seen “The Hurt Locker” before, it is worth a second look While its running time flies by and it is not always easy to watch, its dark sequences will leave you feeling energized and bonding with its central characters

“The Hurt Locker” is just one of the new additions to Tubi's free viewing library this month Other highlights include my favorite action film (for “John Wick” fans) and a horror comedy with a cult following

Stream “The Hurt Locker” on Tubi now