 "Horrible events-focus on 2 characters distills the anxiety for viewer" | 2008-09-19 |
| - Reviewed By digitalbabe |
| I had a dentist appointment in Toms River, NJ on 9/11/2001. I watched, like many, in horror, at the events unfolding in NYC, and was completely devastated. Like many, I know exactly where I was, what my mom said to me, when she put on the news, and I saw the planes hit the towers on CNN. It was impossible, and ubelievable at the time.br /br /Since then, I've made it a point to become more involved in world events to understand all of the "behind the scenes" structure, and international events/politics, not just those on American soil to gain perspective on how horrible things like this can happen here and around the world. br /br /Although I can't imagine the pain that families who didn't know if their sons, daughters, lovers, sisters, friends and others, had perished, I have felt loss. This film captures at least some of this horrendous anxiety that was felt in the US, and specifically for everyone directly affected. I just watched this film, today, 9 years after the events (I previously also saw United 93). br /br /Sgtrictly from a cinematic standpoint, and as an avid hi-def collector, The PQ and sound on the HD DVD are spectacular and it's the special features that really make this story even more real. As an East Coast resident, it was too soon for me, to watch this in theaters. As an avid NYC visitor, I have friends who work or have friends/relatives in the area, and when I saw the movie today, for the 1st time, the movie captured the mayhem that they described. br /br /I actually think it was a good thing that only a handful of characters were chosen to attempt to tell an uplifting story and provide some focus. I've seen several WTC documentaries, to try to get my mind around this horrible event. Triumphs were rare that day, and unfortunately most of the 4000 total people who died, and their families were not able to celebrate any. br /br /This film was supposed to be an exception, a film about the sparse hope and miracles that existed that day. I don't believe you can make a 2 hour film with 40 characters. There were probably many different viewpoints and experiences amidst that chaos and no one can sum all of them up in 2 hours, not even a major director; it may even dilute the film, and create an overwhelming "split screen" type atmosphere. I felt emotionally invested in the characters, because there was focus. br /br /The method of involving a few families,created at least some frame work and representation of the events. And as is the case with all films about real wars, or other current events, the viewpoints, especially amidst chaos, will be as different as the stars in the universe. This was a very touching film, and I highly recommend that you take the time (and emotional energy) to watch it, and the extras, they are worth it. May we, and other people around the world, who have previously lived under the every day anxiety of death caused by terrorism, never have to experience another event life this again. |
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 "7 Years Later..." | 2008-09-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: AER15RIMV8E6D |
| It has been 7 years since that tragic day. I was in sixth grade when it happened. None of our teachers told us anything, so my dad told me about it, and I didn't know what to think!br /br /Nicolas Cage stars as Port Authority police officer John McLoughlin, and his friend, Will Jimeno who become trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center. They struggle to survive and wait to be rescued. If you are a patriot, hate terrorists, and want to take a huge dump in Osama Bin Laden's mouth, you'll like WORLD TRADE CENTER!!! |
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| "September 11, 2001---A Day That Will Live In Infamy" | 2008-09-07 |
| - Reviewed By jeff_minde |
| It seems almost blasphemous to criticize this film. And perhaps WORLD TRADE CENTER is better than it seems. And perhaps the main difficulty with this movie IS that was simply too soon to treat Nine Eleven cinematically. Perhaps, perhaps. br /br /But the truth is that this Hollywoodization of America's darkest day is wholly inadequate in addressing its subject matter, despite a sincere attempt by all involved to make a responsible, quality film about the Trade Center disaster. br /br /Yes, it touches the event, transmitting about 1/1,000,000,000th of the emotion of the event to the viewer. WORLD TRADE CENTER is well-made, deserving of TWO AND A HALF STARS for good acting and authenticity, but it's focus is too narrow. By reducing itself to the story of a group of miraculously unharmed survivors, it never captures the vastness of the event or the eight million tragedies that crowded that moment in time. Despite the survival of small groups of the buildings' trapped occupants, this should not have been a film with a happy ending. br /br /Almost any currently-existing documentary about that day is more effective in speaking to the audience than is this film. (The conspiracy-theory-fueled College Boy film school junk film Loose Change Final Cut is an exception.) br /br /Unfortunately, WORLD TRADE CENTER does not succeed in bringing the event within the compass of our understanding. It may be decades before the media creates such a film. If ever. |
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| "Passable" | 2008-08-09 |
| - Reviewed By jhanlon21 |
The first twenty minutes are great, so too are the last twenty.
In between are nearly ninety minutes of shots swapping between the trapped men and their worried families. It's too much of too little.
Then again, what would you expect from Oliver Stone?
Audio and Video quality are excellent. |
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 "Stone's 9/11 movie" | 2008-07-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2OFSDJB3MVQ16 |
| After the financial and critical disaster of "Alexander", Oliver Stone was called upon to direct this intimate story of the effect of 9/11 on two firefighters. Using considerable restraint and an non-exploitative approach, Stone explores the trauma and the tensions involved in rescuing these 2 heroic firefighters and the effects it had on their families. By personalizing this story, Stone has not trivalized this important story but has created a tribute to these two men and a memorial to those who died risking their lives in this tragedy. |
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| "Tale of heroism" | 2008-06-23 |
| - Reviewed By bwaynef |
With the release of Oliver Stone's much anticipated "World Trade Center," the controversial director received just as much criticism as praise for his study of two of the heroes of 9/11. Those who share Stone's ardent leftist beliefs thought he should have made a film questioning the government's role in the events of that day. I'll be first in line when that movie gets made (don't count on it), but "World Trade Center" is excellent for what it is: a tale of heroism and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.
Nicolas Cage is superb as John McLaughlin, the port authority police sergeant who is buried, along with colleague Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), in the rubble of the Twin Towers while his family patiently awaits news of his condition.
"World Trade Center" is a compelling survival story, vastly superior to "United 93," the other 9/11 film from 2006 which received praise all out of balance with its actual merits.
Brian W. Fairbanks
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| "SHORT REVIEW, NOT ONE OF THOSE LONG ONES THAT NO ONE CARES ABOUT." | 2008-06-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2FFCR0I4XKW5N |
| Great movie. intense at parts. it is very enlightening. and makes u realize what these people went through. great story. can also be depressing though. |
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 "Poor attempt at a difficult subject" | 2008-04-21 |
| - Reviewed By bloke69 |
Firstly let me say that I disagree with Hollywood making movies and money out of what happened at 9/11. To me its human nature at its worst.
Sure we need to always remember what happened, never forget the thousands who lost their lives and the hundreds who courageously strived to save others. But this we can do in the many documentaries created, did we really need this film. I for one will never forget the televised scenes as the news broke on that fateful day.
The movie is simply poor. It focuses on 2 policemen who were trapped underground, and the stress and tension they and their families all went through.
I believe the film was made in a rush to get it to market quickly. The choice of just 2 nypd families (37 died) to focus on is a poor choice considering the heroism of the NY fire department (343 died) that day.
The film misses out in so many ways, such as not showing the planes, very limited view of the collapse of the towers.
Its hard to make a movie on such a subject, and easy for a reviewer like me to criticise, but the film reminded me of the Poisiden adventure.
Its a poor film that does not succeed in what it sets out to do in showing the courage, bravery and sacrifice of the many hundreds of men and woman who ventured into towers 1 and 2 of the world trade centre while everyone else was trying to get out.
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| "WTC , SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANOTHER OSCAR FOR OLIVER STONE" | 2008-03-22 |
| - Reviewed By sonnysmurf2 |
I have viewed a number of Oliver Stones' films. World Trade Center ranks right up there with Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July. My senses were jolted when this picture received no nominations for oscars, I felt that this picture was oscar worthy. Hollywood politics played a hand in shunning this very moving film.
The events of 9 - 11 unfold before your eyes, as New Yorkers and subway riders go to work that day. Director Stone shows the confusion and chaos of that fateful morning. This is a family drama tied around a tragic event. Two families awate the fate of their husbands/fathers, police officers trapped in the building rubble of the collapsed towers.
World Trade Center is based upon true events, the story of two survivors waiting for rescue. It is a miracle that anyone survived beneath the epicenter of the 9 - 11 blasts. This is a salute to the rescue teams involved in searching ground zero for trapped survivors. Oliver Stone reminds us about those dedicated persons in uniform who were trying to make a difference on that fateful day. |
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| "Excellent perspective on a defining event in American history" | 2008-03-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A34CKL5WS8CW2U |
Anyone in their teens when the attack on the World Trade Center occurred should vividly remember seeing the images on our televisions at our homes, schools, cafés, etc. I know I will never forget sitting in my classroom that morning and watching the live reports and coverage. However, what makes this film more than just a playback of tragedies past, it offers a fresh, unique perspective on the event by retelling the story from the point of view of a pair of brave fire fighters. It is a story of friendship and loyalty, bravery and courage, and above all... a country in the face of adversity.
No matter what kind of genres you enjoy, this is definitely a must-have for anyone who even vaguely remembers September 11, 2001. |
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