World Trade Center [DVD]

they liked it

If this film was about anything else, maybe I would give it a bad review. But because of the subject matter I was moved to tears. I was watching it on my computer (I have a Bluray/HdDvD combo drive) and had to pause a few times to get control over myself (the brief shot of a person jumping out of a WTC window was one such scene). The film does a good job of reminding you the significance of 9/11 as one of the most depressing days in recent memory. I'm not a knee-jerk patriotic type, but I still found it difficult to keep myself from being affected by the power of the memories of that day. (I'm American but I have lived in the U.K. for a long time).In terms of the Blu-Ray quality, there were some pretty good scenes but overall it didn't really stand out from a picture clarity standpoint. I haven't seen the DVD version though, so I can't say whether it is any better. I can't unhesitantly recommend it on picture quality though, so I suggest you rent it first to decide whether you want to add it to your permanent collection.

This is simply one of those films that everyone must see at all costs no matter what. The story is well known (and true) and demands to be heard (and seen). What better man for the job than Oliver Stone. His is a film that effects and affects in equal measure. The quiet moments (ie with the always delightful and lovely Maggie Gyllenhaal and the just as luminous (and that in of itself is quite the accomplishment given the nature of the film) and dependable Maria Bello, as the wives at home watching the horror evolve on telly) are as powerful as the action notes (tho this is first and foremost a drama film and not an action picture) which are truly heart rending. Nicolas Cage is always, Wicker Man remake aside, the go to guy for real acting gusto and prowess but here it's Michael Pena who delivers in spades what he started in Crash. Beware this film WILL make you cry. Essential viewing tho not easy to watch. A harrowing film.

Lets face it, most people when they heard that Oliver Stone was to direct a film about the 9/11 attacks were expecting a visual assault on the senses using every film-making technique in the book and detailing how America singularly failed to defend itself on that awful day. What most of us were not expecting was a thoughtful and moving piece of cinema detailing the extraordinary acts of heroism from the everyday people who were caught up in the awful events of that day. But with World Trade Centre, that is exactly what Stone has given us.Centred on the experiences of two men, John McLoughlin (a craggy and weary Nicholas Cage), and Will Jimeno (a superb turn from Michael Pena), both Port Authority cops who are trapped in the rubble when the buildings come down. Focusing on their real experiences (both men acted as advisors on the film, so you can't fault it for authenticity), the film details their initial reactions to what many believed at the time was a terrible accident, and then their struggle to stay alive following the collapse of the towers. Also involved in this tragedy are the cops wives Alison Jimeno (again a superb performance by Maggie Gylenhall), and Donna McLoughlin (played by Maria Bello). Although the ultimate outcome of the film, i.e the rescue of the two men is telegraphed at the beginning of the movie, by focusing on this small story Stone has managed to make a thoughtful and effective film about what many would regard as an almost taboo subject (I mean lets face, a lot of people were outraged when United 93 was announced, the old line of "its to soon" being trotted out by a lot of knee jerk social commentators).The four leads handle their roles well, although Maria Bello's character of Donna does seem a little unfocused during much of the film, with very little to do, and Michael Pena as Will Jimeno becomes our focus of attention during much of the scenes involving the two cops, which is no bad thing, but the real outstanding role is Maggie Gylenhall as Alison, an expectant mother who rapidly becomes the real soul of the film. The film contains some brilliant moments (the shadow of the first plane to hit the towers as it passes across a nearby building is just one of them), and whilst it is never flashy it is at least memorable, with the collapse of the towers being a genuinely terrifying moment (a real situation that is so much scarier than any amount of monsters under the bed). However the film is by no means perfect, with some of the dialogue slipping occasionally into schmaltz, and much of the central section of the movie feels a little bloated (a spot of judicious editing and we could have had a much more compelling movie), but it is hard to find to much fault, particularly with Stones overarching intention of telling the true story of the men's experiences that day.And if some find fault with the fact that the film occasionally comes across as a tribute to the rescue workers who lost their lives that day, well, so what if it does come across that way. This is a story of genuine heroism, a tale of men and women, cops, firemen and others, who went into those buildings that day without a thought for their own safety to rescue complete strangers, and many of them didn't come out again. If you want to find fault with that, then shame on you.

Given the great seriousness of the 9th September 2001 terrorist attacks. I found this movie to be average. It's all good drama. And the police ambulance people and firefighters did a brilliant job on the day. Actor Nicholas Cage does a good bit of acting as the star of the movie. It does come across as very low budget. And the music score was very poor. However not bad as a 911 disaster movie.

After seeing this film for the first time on Uk terrestial tv I thought it was brilliantly told and very moving I was in tears for a while after watching it and had to purchase it on dvd to watch whenever I felt like it.It shows an insight into what the search and rescue teams and their families went through on that awful day in September 2001 and which all of us around the world will never forget.I would recommend this film to people who've not seen it yet.

Brilliant film showing the power of human beings to defy evil and survive against the odds. A fitting tribute by Oliver Stone to the survivors, their rescuers, families and all those unfortunate souls who perished at the hands of evil. The film resisted the temptation to over dramatize the aircrafts hitting the WTC and concentrated on the officers themselves which worked well. If you need reminding of the horror of that fateful day, this film strikes just the right balance.

I truly love this film, I have been wanting to buy it for a while so when I saw it I had to buy it. I loved how is shows the devasting effects of 9/11 on both people involved & their wifes. I like how before the credits it tells you what the two main characters went through and gave facts regarding the event. this film is one you can't fight the tears with.