“Restrepo” Troops View Movies Like “Hurt Locker” Purely As Entertainment

Viewers are getting a soldier's eye view of what modern combat is like with the newly released documentary "Restrepo," a year with one platoon in the deadliest valley in Afghanistan.

Veteran journalists Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger each spent five months with U.S. soldiers in the deadly Korengal Valley in Afghanistan. The movie tells a truth that the filmmakers say is missing from Hollywood films, even the gritty "Hurt Locker."

Junger tells PopcornBiz that soldiers in the field today enjoy these Hollywood movies purely for entertainment value.

"The soldiers enjoyed these movies (like "Hurt Locker" ) because they like Hollywood movies," says Junger. "It's like cops enjoy cop movies."

But, Junger added, "Some of the tactical stuff is absurd. It doesn't even make sense."

"I lot of these military guys have fundamental problems with these Hollywood films," echoes Hetherington.

Hetherington says he most objects to the idea that people would go back to combat for reasons of adrenaline, much like the main character in "Locker."

"Hollywood is sort of peddling this idea that it's because of adrenaline. That the guys are adrenaline junkies," he says. "That guy in 'The Hurt Locker' doesn't really exist."

A bigger factor Hetherington explains is the feeling of belonging and importance 18-24-year-old men feel in the combat arena. In Afghanistan there is a brotherly bond and an importance for each soldier which is overpowering -- despite the obvious danger.

"What really draws you back is the sense of significance and meaning," he says. "They are suddenly given these huge responsibilities. And when they come back to America, of course you're going to miss it."

Junger agrees. "It's brotherhood and the sense of meaning," he says. "The very solid feeling they cannot reproduce in society. They are 19. Combat answers all of their questions."

Of course, with combat comes the danger which even a film like "Restrepo" can only really hint at. But an early explosion in the film is so strong that it shakes the theater. That's no special effect. That's as real as it gets.

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