World Trade Center

Oliver Stone turns in one of the most powerful and emotionally moving movies of the summer in "World Trade Center". While the dialog and acting is somewhat limited, the special effects and dramatic elements more than make up for any shortcomings.

Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena star as John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno, two Port Authority policemen who get trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The day starts out normal enough for both, as they go to their jobs in New York City. We are introduced briefly to fellow officers, but the setup is quick as planes crash into the two towers. From there, the story quickly becomes disturbing, not for the scenes on the screen, but from the emotions that are stirred up by seeing it all over again. The intensity of being inside the first tower to collapse is stunning. This is the event that initially traps the men. Their situation is compounded by the collapse of the next building.

Now the story splits its focus between the plight of McLoughlin and Jimeno with the drama of the families struggling for answers as to whether or not the men are alive. While the bond between the two men only grows stronger as their lives grow shorter, the two wives (Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal) are going through their own personal hell waiting for any word of rescue. These four actors create a tense and dramatic storyline.

"World Trade Center" is not about terrorism. Rather, it is about the good that came out of a terrible day. It is about heroism and the heroes of that day. Surprisingly, but much to his credit, Oliver Stone avoids any political agenda with this movie. Instead, he finds ways to bring out lighthearted moments in life-and-death situations, and reminds us of the efforts that went into trying to find survivors at Ground Zero. You need to see "World Trade Center". I give it an A.

"World Trade Center" is rated PG-13 with a running time of 125 minutes.