re: World Trade Center film

I have only written about two other films here. Peter Jackson's "King Kong" and "United 93" but I mist comment on Oliver Stone's gripping new film "World Trade Center"

I haven't had much respect for Stone and his conspiracy and anti-war films of past but his new film deserves much respect. Thankfully Stone has kept all the politics out of this film. This story is not really about the attacks of Sept. 11 but what happened in the aftermath. By telling the stories of survivors 18 & 19 of the 20 people pulled alive from the wreckage of the Twin Towers, Stone paints a stirring picture of hope, courage, duty, honor and friendship.

Most of the film is dark and cramped as we watch the faces of the two Port Authority officers trapped in the rubble under Tower 1 hang on for dear life in what must have seemed like certain death. The flashbacks and glimpses into their families lives as they cope with the aftermath give a genuine insight into these two men and why they HAD to survive.

The only pro-war stance in the film is the sub plot of a retired Marine in Connnecticut, who after witnessing the attacks tells his co-workers we're at war that he's needed at the rescue site. After getting a haircut and dressing his battle fatigues, he drives to NYC to join the search efforts. He ends up being instrumental in finding the two buried officers. Upon their rescue see hear him phone his office and tell them he doesn't know when he'll be back to work "because this country will need great men to avenge this". That man re-enlisted in the Marines and served tours of duty in Afghanistan & Iraq. Pro-attack flag waving from Oliver Stone? That's something new.

The performances by Nicholas Cage and Michael Peña are outstanding considering that a great deal of their screen time is spent buried under rubble with close ups of their faces. Fine acting for sure.

There is a nice end piece to this film that happens two years after the attacks. We see for a very quick instance Cage and Pena meet the real life people they portrayed at a barbeque. Nice touch.

Its not going to win awards or make huge amounts of money but this film deserves some heartfelt respect for telling the true story of courage and determination - truthfully. Thumbs up for Mr. Stone.