In Cameron's movies the enemy is external or "idealized"(aliens, robots, rich smug bastard in Titanic, vietkongs in...Rambo II, yes he was a co-writer, common greed in Avatar) while Kathryn goes straight into the hart of darkness: the human shitty society itself. After a razzle-dazzle trip you always are forced to see how evil is pulling off the mask and it's always the one that you don't want it to be.
Probably strong female characters are the reason while these two hooked up.
:)
This movie has Bigelow's signature all over it: camera in the eyes of characters, pumped up adrenaline to the max with "shoot from the hip" style, reality kicking you in the gut asking what a hell you are figting for while you are chased or you are chasing someone or something....Point Break, Blue Steel, even The Hurt Locker gives you these sensations inspite of the different speed.
Yes , the screenplay is Cameron's but I bet he never imagine it like Kathryn did.