Review of World Trade Center ***SPOILERS*** - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jar_e · 08-07-2006, 10:36 PM

Well,

I had the great opportunity through work to see a pre-screening of Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center." As you read this, you should realize that this movie has alot of personal meaning to me as my dad is a firefighter and had the somewhat "honor" to attend New York and ground zero to honor fallen firefighters. That along with that I now work with Calgary Fire made me appreciate this movie on a different level. That being said, here's my review.

As much as I think this got drawn up as borderline American propaganda, the lack of Americanism in it is quite surprising. I didn't see this movie as a homage to the American spirit but rather a great documentation of the willpower and strength of the human spirit. If you weren't aware of the general idea of the movie, it depicts the true story of two Port Authority police officers who get trapped underneath the fallen buildings. I think Oliver Stone did a great job of showing the pure mayhem that occured on that day. There was a great mix of showing the family lives and what they went through and showing the two trapped police officers determination and will to live.

I'll be honest, I was very close to shedding tears twice in the movie. Both times included the family and the kids of the police officers and the second time was near the end when the one officer is thanking everybody as he was being rescued.

Suprisingly, there were moments of laughter in the movie. I was surprised at when people laughed and I'm not sure if it was just nervous laughter or what, but there were some "funny" parts. In my opinion, this worked greatly most of the times, though there were times where I questioned how close some of these "funny" moments popped up to more serious ones.

With everything considered, I'd highly recommend this movie. It was a great story as I said and thought the cinematography of the whole movie was stunning. I wasn't sure how much of the footage they used was real, but it was hard to tell what was from a newscast and what was genuine footage. It was a great movie (almost 2 hours on the dot) and I think didn't push any boundaries in regards to how close the movie came out to the date of it happening. As I said, I didn't see this as an "American" movie, but rather a "human" movie.

Any questions, feel free to ask. It's hard just to wing something like this up.

Red Mile Style · 08-10-2006, 01:08 AM

Wow.

I just saw the movie, and I have to say, it wasn't a pleasent experience. I was nauseous throughout the entire movie, from the very beginning to nearly the end. I'm not going to lie, I did cry twice and I am not one that cries at movies.

I agree that this movie was more of a human movie than an American, but I couldn't help but notice the strong connection that was made between 9/11 and Iraq, which have absolutely no correlation. That kind of ticked me off.

I was kind of afraid to see this movie, as Hollywood tends to take tragic events and turn it into cheese (ie. Titanic), but in the end I think Stone did a pretty good job and really brought a strong message about the goodness of people, which is important when you're watching a movie that depicts such an evil occurance.

I do reccomend this movie, but I do not reccomend buying popcorn... you probably will not be able to eat it.

jar_e · 08-10-2006, 06:01 AM

Red Mile,

Couldn't agree more. It definitely leaves you queasy.

Just curious, what type of scenes made you think of the Iraq/9-11 connection. I can't recall anything just off the top of my head but that being said, I wasn't paying that much attention during some of the movie. Not questioning you, just curious on where they lie in the movie

Red Mile Style · 08-10-2006, 01:46 PM

I was referring to the part where the marine said something along the lines of "They are going to need me still, to retaliate for this" then it said he served two tours of Iraq. There was something else too, it wasn't too subtle, but I picked up on it.

Man, this movie is definately one of those movies that you think about the next day... I'm still thinking about it. I guess I haven't really thought about 9/11 for a while and it kind of reminded me.

Dogbert · 08-10-2006, 02:22 PM

I am not going to support Hollywood's exploitation of 9/11 for the purpose of lining their own pockets.

Azure · 08-10-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Mile Style

I was referring to the part where the marine said something along the lines of "They are going to need me still, to retaliate for this" then it said he served two tours of Iraq. There was something else too, it wasn't too subtle, but I picked up on it.

Man, this movie is definately one of those movies that you think about the next day... I'm still thinking about it. I guess I haven't really thought about 9/11 for a while and it kind of reminded me.

I seriously doubt that Stone's intention was to make the connection between 9/11 and Iraq.

Knowing his politics, that is....

OILFAN #81 · 08-10-2006, 03:00 PM

I saw the movie yesterday and I thought it was a very good movie. I wasn't expecting the majority of the movie to be shot in one specific spot but I thought Stone did a great job with the portrayal of the 2 police officers' story on that tragic day of 9/11. Also as was mentioned I thought Stone's depiction of the goodness of 9/11 rather then the evil that was brought forth that day was refreshing and a strong message to the world. "When tragedy strikes, the goodness of people is how we shall overcome."

Table 5 · 08-10-2006, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I am not going to support Hollywood's exploitation of 9/11 for the purpose of lining their own pockets.

yep, 100% agree.

Regulator75 · 08-10-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I am not going to support Hollywood's exploitation of 9/11 for the purpose of lining their own pockets.

Download it!!! Stick it to da man!

jar_e · 08-10-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dogbert

I am not going to support Hollywood's exploitation of 9/11 for the purpose of lining their own pockets.

So is it just 9/11? What about any war movie? Or how about any movie based on actual events?

Where do you draw the line...I'm curious.

KevanGuy · 08-12-2006, 09:32 PM

Wow. That was heavy. And I agree 100% with your review jar_e. The lack of "Go America!" propaganda was very refreshing and unexpected. I don't think I can add anything more to what you said so all I can do is recommend this movie.

VANFLAMESFAN · 08-13-2006, 02:37 AM

Just got back from it, WOW, great movie and like KG said, Jar, great review, got exactly all the points that I would want to shed. Didn't pro-Americanize the movie and I'm glad they didnt go too in depth with the planes hitting the towers or the eventual collapse of the buildings. Those images were not needed in the movie as not only have we all seen them countless times, but it wouldnt add to the movie whatsoever. However, watching the one scene of the officers watching one of the persons fall out of the building was pretty hard to take.

Great movie, 8.5/10, Michael Pena was great, a very underused actor who will only gain more notoriety and respect after this role.

And as far as the guys here who are boycotting the movie because they feel its just Hollywood exploiting 9/11, thats just plain ignorant and you guys should give your head a shake.