Review of World Trade Center (2006) by Nathan R — 12 Mar 2009

Well-made and frequently harrowing, but the powerful sequences and strong performances are counter-balanced by an overdose of flag-waving sentimentality and some sub-par dialogue. The opening of the film is extremely good, with extraordinary attention to detail.

Similarly, the collapse of the towers (experienced from the inside) is absolutely terrifying and Stone includes several other harrowing sequences (fireballs; bullets exploding; the collapse of the second tower) to distract from the fact that neither of his lead actors can move for 80 percent of the movie.

Cage strips away his movie star persona and plays John as an emotionally distant, somewhat difficult man, while Michael Pena (from Crash) is superb as the warm-hearted, optimistic Jimeno. Bello and Gyllenhaal are both excellent, and there's strong support from both Stephen Dorff and Frank Whalley (as members of the rescue team).

What lets World Trade Center down is an overdose of flag-waving sentimentality towards the end, combined with some dodgy religious imagery, some dismal dialogue and a vomit-inducing voiceover. It's also a shame that the film couldn't have included more of Dorff and Whalley's characters, both of whom play a vital part.

Well made and well acted but it doesn't say anything that a documentary wouldn't have said better.