While the event that will have forever changed this country on September 11 is almost five years in the past, it has stayed in the nation's collective conciousness every day. It is referred to in movies, television shows, and talked about on news reports. Earlier this year, United 93 was the first film to come out about that fateful day and people were wondering if it was too soon. Now World Trade Center enters theatres at the beginning of August and that question has been answered. Is it too soon? No.
World Trade Center is an emotional, gut-wrenching film based on the true story of two Port Authority police officers who survived the collapse of the two towers and were pulled out 22 hours later. While never showing the planes hit the towers and having all the information being second-hand through cell phones and conversation (which was a brilliant move), Oliver Stone has created a sense of disconnectedness and confusion that permeated that day. Most of the first response teams on the ground didn't even know that the second tower had also been hit by a plane.
The story follows John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Pena) as they make their way to the World Trade Center. While walking on the concourse, the first tower begins to collapse, giving McLoughlin precious few seconds to make a decision. He directs his team to the elevator shaft, essentially saving their lives. Out of the five on his team, three survive - including Dominick Pezzulo (Jay Hernandez). Later on, Pezzulo is killed by the second tower falling. From here, the focus of the film is shifted in various directions - including the wives of McLoughlin (Maria Bello) and Jimeno (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a discharged marine who hears a higher power telling him to help (Michael Shannon), and the various people trying to contribute.
World Trade Center, instead of focusing on this disastrous day as a whole, takes a different route and tells a more personal and intimate tale. By sharing their story, director Stone is able to impart the courage and selflessness of our country through their suffering.
There still are scenes that take your breath away. When the first tower falls and the rescue team is in the concourse, it is visceral filmmaking. You feel as if you are there, with the ceiling falling and the earth shaking. The scene in which Pezzulo is crushed and is gasping his last breath is heartbreaking for many reasons - the most obvious one is that he was not trapped under fragments from the first tower and was possibly able to escape but stayed behind to try and help Jimeno.
Article comments
1 - MUZZ
I am ashamed of all the actors and anyone who has anything to do with this movie.
All of the actors got payed, the director got payed, the studio got payed. So why should we as faithful Americans waste out money on a movie that is tring to make money off the tragic events of 9/11?
No I don't want any money from 9/11 or anything like that, that is not what this comment is about.
I'm sick that the movie industry is out to make a quick buck off our hurt and pain, and to top it off all these poor fools saying "its a great movie". Fine, make a great movie! Just don't do it on our pain!
2 - Richard H
If you see this movie you are a terrorist.This is th biggest pile of crap since flight 93.I hope this movie miserably fails.Boycott this movie it is terrible that the nazis in hollywood would profit off of a tragedy that happened five years ago.I hope Nicolas Cage rots in hell if there is one.Everyone should be offended.The families that lost loved ones should file a class action lawsuit against the makers of this movie.