The tagline of this movie, "The Greatest Manhunt In History," almost says it best.  Although, Waldo still seems to be on the lamb so I guess he takes the top spot now.  Zero Dark Thirty is a thrilling and engaging film.  I can't help but think that much of the publicity and praise comes only because of the subject in the film.  If this movie had been about anyone but Osama bin Laden, I truly don't think it would be getting anywhere near the same buzz.  It would just be another movie.  A good movie, but not an Oscar nominated movie. 

If you saw Argo last year, you will see a lot of similarities in Zero Dark Thirty.  The build up to the final act has a very similar feel.  I really enjoyed how the film starts about 10 years back when the hunt for bin Laden really began.  It gives us a very interesting look into what goes on during the gathering of intelligence.  We get to see the ups and downs, the good leads and the bad.  There are a few torture scenes that are really rough.  I found myself looking away from the screen at times.  The way everything starts to build and come together holds the audience tightly.  I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the next scene.  I can't forget to mention the reenactment of the actual storming of his compound in Pakistan.  That was very well done.

Call me a skeptic, but I couldn't stop questioning whether we were getting the real story or just a screenwriter's thoughts on how it might have gone.  The actual details of the hunt and siege are classified.  That means if anyone did tell the Zero Dark Thirty team information, they were breaking many rules.  Lead actress Jessica Chastain even said she never wants to meet the person she portrays because if anyone found out she would go to jail.

The hunt for Osama bin Laden is a story that captivated our nation for over a decade, and I think Zero Dark Thirty gives us as close to a real depiction as possible.  It's a gripping film and absolutely worth watching.