WORLD TRADE CENTER
starring: Nicholas Cage, Michael Pena, Maggie Gyllenhaal
director: Oliver Stone
writer: Andrea Berloff
date: December 12, 2006
reviewer: Clarkey
rating: 5
Should this movie been made? That was the question people asked when the idea first came up. It was usually followed by is it too soon to make this movie? Should Oliver Stone be at the helm of the project, with his controversial self? Will it be a waste time or will it be a good movie that is respectable? These were other questions moviebuffs were asking before and during the shooting of this historical film.
The film did answer these questions for me. It should not have been made as it was way too soon (I mean five years is not that long of a time) and if you’re going to make a movie like this, please put forth a better effort. A movie like this was supposed to inspirational and emotional, but it lacked any meaningful substance. I haven’t decided to blame Oliver Stone or the whole production crew or the cast, whom many seemed to be going through the motions. The one bright area of the film was the always lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal, who was excellent to watch as the young wife of one of the men trapped underneath the rumble that was the World Trade Center. The actors seemed to be playing it safe and not taking anything chances. It was also quite dry and seemed almost meaningless, especially the dialogue that transpired between Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena’s characters as they were trapped. And can someone please tell me the point of Michael Shannon’s character, who is never truly introduced, except as an ex-Marine in a different state, who quits his job, shaves his head and goes to New York City to play hero. The character, whether it was based on a real person or not, seemed so unnecessary.
Although, the film felt like a made for TV movie with a big budget, it did have its moments. I did enjoy the scenes that had Pena and Gyllenhaal’s characters wanted to name their expected child the name the other chose. And there were heartfelt scenes, such as a mother breaking down and crying over the fact that her son hadn’t been found yet. Stone played it safe, usually some conventional styles of shots and directions, but in the end, it did not help the overall picture. Simply put, this film should not have been made so soon after the devasating actions of that fatal day five years ago. Tragedy of this magnitude should be left to memorials and prayers to those who lost loved ones in the attacks.
director: Oliver Stone
writer: Andrea Berloff
date: December 12, 2006
reviewer: Clarkey
rating: 5
Should this movie been made? That was the question people asked when the idea first came up. It was usually followed by is it too soon to make this movie? Should Oliver Stone be at the helm of the project, with his controversial self? Will it be a waste time or will it be a good movie that is respectable? These were other questions moviebuffs were asking before and during the shooting of this historical film.
The film did answer these questions for me. It should not have been made as it was way too soon (I mean five years is not that long of a time) and if you’re going to make a movie like this, please put forth a better effort. A movie like this was supposed to inspirational and emotional, but it lacked any meaningful substance. I haven’t decided to blame Oliver Stone or the whole production crew or the cast, whom many seemed to be going through the motions. The one bright area of the film was the always lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal, who was excellent to watch as the young wife of one of the men trapped underneath the rumble that was the World Trade Center. The actors seemed to be playing it safe and not taking anything chances. It was also quite dry and seemed almost meaningless, especially the dialogue that transpired between Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena’s characters as they were trapped. And can someone please tell me the point of Michael Shannon’s character, who is never truly introduced, except as an ex-Marine in a different state, who quits his job, shaves his head and goes to New York City to play hero. The character, whether it was based on a real person or not, seemed so unnecessary.
Although, the film felt like a made for TV movie with a big budget, it did have its moments. I did enjoy the scenes that had Pena and Gyllenhaal’s characters wanted to name their expected child the name the other chose. And there were heartfelt scenes, such as a mother breaking down and crying over the fact that her son hadn’t been found yet. Stone played it safe, usually some conventional styles of shots and directions, but in the end, it did not help the overall picture. Simply put, this film should not have been made so soon after the devasating actions of that fatal day five years ago. Tragedy of this magnitude should be left to memorials and prayers to those who lost loved ones in the attacks.
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