On May 2, 2011; the news spread like wildfire across the country. A U.S. Navy team had stormed a compound in Pakistan, and Osama Bin Laden was dead. People rejoiced, feeling that we had finally achieved some sense of justice for the 3,000 innocent people that lost their lives during the September 11 attacks. It was only a matter of time before Hollywood took ahold of this story, and concocted their own version of the events. Though still glimmering with Bigelow’s unique take on historical war films, and containing an excellent performance by Jessica Chastain, I found “Zero Dark Thirty” to be largely a disappointment; slow-paced and anti-climactic, it is nothing more than an average political drama.

“Zero Dark Thirty” focuses over eight years in the CIA, leading up to the events of the operation. Showing immediately why the film is so controversial, it begins with an explicit, even grotesque torture scene. A man, bloody and weary with exhaustion, is tied up in a room with his arms tied above his head. A CIA officer yells in his face, declaring “If you lie to me, I hurt you.” The man is beaten, stripped naked, and humiliated. At one point, the torture known as water-boarding is shown; when a person is held down on the floor, with a rag placed over their face, while water is slowly poured into their nose and mouth, giving the impression of drowning. This opening scene alone may throw off some viewers. However, it is the only one of its kind in almost the entire film.

The following 120 minutes of “Zero Dark Thirty” switches gears, and slows down to a snail’s pace. We follow the events through the eyes of Maya, our protagonist, as she slowly starts to gain more insight into the activities of Al Qaeda. Jessica Chastain’s performance here is one of the high points of the film. Though appearing to possess a reserved outward appearance, Maya is anything but. She is confident in her assertions, unafraid to swear, yell, and annoyingly pursue a lead if she feels it will bring her to the final goal of finding Osama Bin Laden. She is committed, even if no one is there to have her back. Chastain brings us through the development of Maya, showing us the character from every angle. Her anger, frustrations, sadness, and finally, relief is shown in nearly every camera shot. Sophisticated and versatile, Chastain is one of the best Hollywood has to offer.

Yet, a great performance does not a movie make. The entire middle sequence of the film is all leading up to the final operation. A team is chosen, and they are prepped on their mission. As they finally start their journey across the dark mountains of Afghanistan, flying at night in their massive stealth black helicopters, there was a brief moment when it seemed that, just maybe, it was worth the wait. Upon finally arriving, though, the Seals storm the house with their assault rifles, and in a short time, had brought down all the bad guys. It left me wanting more; it was, ultimately, too little, too late.

“Zero Dark Thirty,” may have a huge hype behind it. But much of this may be due to its subject, and to its continued relevance in today’s society. It is interesting that “Argo,” another political thriller, came out around the same time. But what makes “Argo” stand above “Zero Dark” is how it took a different take on its subject. “Argo” begins as a typical historical drama, yet  it soon introduces comedic elements, making light of a serious situation. Unfortunately, “Zero Dark Thirty” is not as unique. It is dry, and within a few years, may be easily forgettable.