World Trade Center (2006)

Regardless of whether it was "too early" in 2006 to dramatize the events of September 11th, 2001, World Trade Center succeeds as a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who served at "ground zero" in the wake of terrorist attacks on the WTC's twin towers in New York City. Removed from the politics of war and terrorism (yet still, like all films, inherently political in expressing its point of view), Oliver Stone's potent drama focuses on the nightmarish ordeal, and subsequent rescue, of Port Authority policemen John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Peña), who were buried deeply within the rubble of the WTC after the twin towers collapsed. Granted, it's only the film's historical context that distinguishes it from any other dramatic rescue story, but in focusing on the goodness of humanity in response to the evil of terrorists who remain unnamed and off-screen, Stone and first-time screenwriter Andrea Berloff create an emotional context as powerful as anything Stone has directed since Platoon. Even as he resorts to some questionable tactics typically lacking in subtlety, Stone refrains from much of the blunt-force filmmaking that has made him a critical punching bag, rising to this challenging occasion with a heartfelt and deeply American portrait of unity – personal, familial, and national. Flaws and all, World Trade Center serves an honorable purpose, reminding us all that for those fleeting days in September 2001, America showed its best face to a sympathetic world. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

Stone's 9/11 movie

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. July 2, 2008

Tale of heroism

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
June 23, 2008

SHORT REVIEW, NOT ONE OF THOSE LONG ONES THAT NO ONE CARES ABOUT.

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. June 9, 2008

Poor attempt at a difficult subject

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.
April 21, 2008

World Trade Center

This movie is awsome, I am a big fan of Nick Cage and he played a good part in this movie. April 11, 2008

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