World Trade Center (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
9/11/01 had started as a warm, quiet, sunny day in Manhattan. Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), a Port Authority police officer, had wanted to take a personal day off. But obligation & love of his job made him choose otherwise. Sergeant John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage), a veteran of the PAPD, had just made it into work when news struck that a plane had hit one of the twin towers. After going in to save thousands, this is the story of John & Will's struggle to survive. 'World Trade Center', a historical drama directed by Oliver Stone, is a nice homage to the heroes & victims of that fateful day. But the film over-sentimentalizes and has a few plodding moments throughout its entirety.
John, Will, and their team arrive at the South Tower to assist. They witness some horrific things: Victims jumping from windows to spare smoke & fire, debris cascading down, etc. They enter the concourse of the WTC to inspect what's going on. But the building collapses and they get pinned below the rubble. Meanwhile, Will's wife, a pregnant Allison (Maggie Gyllenhaal), sits with her family, hoping & praying that he husband will be rescued. And John's wife, Donna (Maria Bello), and children, are not giving up, either. Our Port Authority protagonists (who remain alive) are all optimistic that they'll be saved. But then the North Tower collapses. And as time wears on and rescue teams fight to find/save them, nothing is for sure.
When all is said & done, some characters unfortunately die, but Donna & Allison rush to the hospital with hopes to find their husbands breathing. Both are critically injured (one falls into a coma). But the families can breathe a sigh of relief when it appears they'll be alright. McLoughlin & Jimeno were 2 of 20 people who were pulled to safety. In 2003, they attend a celebration & receive awards for aiding in the biggest terrorist attack in America's history. A testament to our citizens for never backing down to terrorism, 'World Trade Center' is a film that showcases real life heroes who inspire. Though we know what the film is about, it isn't as sad because many of our protagonists survive. And, there are no socio-political themes attached to this film.
'World Trade Center' is just a simple, overly sentimental story being told amid a mass of mayhem. But I have to say that I was often bored by some simplistic dialogue, and arduous scenes where 2 characters are doing nothing but yelling at each other to keep each other alive. The scope of the movie is so narrow, that these guys could have been trapped in a cave in North Dakota for all we know. The 9/11 tragedy is just used as a neutral backdrop. So, I lost interest. The story just isn't THAT great. It's generic; sanitized. Everything about this movie felt blandly forced upon me. Still, it's easier for me to swallow than United 93. And I acknowledge 'WTC's sturdy acting, its earnestness, sound editing, effects, & cinematography.
John, Will, and their team arrive at the South Tower to assist. They witness some horrific things: Victims jumping from windows to spare smoke & fire, debris cascading down, etc. They enter the concourse of the WTC to inspect what's going on. But the building collapses and they get pinned below the rubble. Meanwhile, Will's wife, a pregnant Allison (Maggie Gyllenhaal), sits with her family, hoping & praying that he husband will be rescued. And John's wife, Donna (Maria Bello), and children, are not giving up, either. Our Port Authority protagonists (who remain alive) are all optimistic that they'll be saved. But then the North Tower collapses. And as time wears on and rescue teams fight to find/save them, nothing is for sure.
When all is said & done, some characters unfortunately die, but Donna & Allison rush to the hospital with hopes to find their husbands breathing. Both are critically injured (one falls into a coma). But the families can breathe a sigh of relief when it appears they'll be alright. McLoughlin & Jimeno were 2 of 20 people who were pulled to safety. In 2003, they attend a celebration & receive awards for aiding in the biggest terrorist attack in America's history. A testament to our citizens for never backing down to terrorism, 'World Trade Center' is a film that showcases real life heroes who inspire. Though we know what the film is about, it isn't as sad because many of our protagonists survive. And, there are no socio-political themes attached to this film.
'World Trade Center' is just a simple, overly sentimental story being told amid a mass of mayhem. But I have to say that I was often bored by some simplistic dialogue, and arduous scenes where 2 characters are doing nothing but yelling at each other to keep each other alive. The scope of the movie is so narrow, that these guys could have been trapped in a cave in North Dakota for all we know. The 9/11 tragedy is just used as a neutral backdrop. So, I lost interest. The story just isn't THAT great. It's generic; sanitized. Everything about this movie felt blandly forced upon me. Still, it's easier for me to swallow than United 93. And I acknowledge 'WTC's sturdy acting, its earnestness, sound editing, effects, & cinematography.