Very good, avoids most expected pitfalls

Rating: Null/10 (27 December 2000)

This was a very satisfying movie, and Tom Hanks once again shows that he is a fine choice for serious treatments of characters who are alone/isolated one way or another. I should mention that my comments wil l focus on several plot points, so SPOILER ALERT! (as if the trailers left much out.)
The Setup: The movie takes planty of time to show that Hanks character is a type-A go-getter, always zipping around the world, no time for anything, addicted to his cell phone and pager. This makes the isolation and barren local of the island (good for the producers that they found a truely tiny one, as made clear from Hanks first peek from the summit) a perfect contrast. Some other user comments complained that there was not enough 'action' in the film, but teenagers apparently miss concept that it is the boredom and isolation that is the whole point. The interest comes from how he will use his native resourcefulness to cope.
The Crash: there were two aircraft disasters, the storm and the explosion, and that one would have been sufficient. Obviously, the storm is required so that the crash will take place far away from where the searchers will eventually look. The explosion is required so that the plane crashes. The storm cannot account for the crash since the pilots have gone around the worst of it, as they would really do, and this film is trying to be realistic. Same with the explosion...these things DO happen, as we know from ValueJet! The crash seems pretty realistic, and the floating pieces or wreckage are consistant with real plane ditchings. My only beef is that the jet engine would almost certainly NOT still be running.
The Homelife: Some have complained that the happenings back home are not shown concurrently with Hank's island vacation. The movie does it right...Hanks is the character we see the film through, and he obviously has no idea whats going on elsewhere. We find things out when he does...once again, realistic.
The Unopened Package: Beside setting up the final scene, this makes some kind of sense for Hanks to leave at least one FedEx parcel alone. His whole personality is based on getting packages to their owners in a speedy and reliable manner. It was clear to me from the situation and setup of the scene that Hanks views the final package as a reason to survive. He needs to get at least one through in the end. Also, pay close attention to the scene in the beginning where the package from Texas is delivered to an obvious American in Moscow, who is cheating on his wife. Pay close attention at the end where Hanks arrives to deliver the unopened package... notice the change in the sign at the ranch. There is really very little left to doubt here.
The Fed Ex Placement: According to articles, the producers wanted authenticity and a sense of reality for their film. They felt that they needed a real cargo carrier, not a made-up one. UPS said no, they don't like people thinking about packages lost in a crash. FedEx said yes, but was reportedly not paid for this nor did they pay the producers. This does not then qualify as the usual product placement that Hollywood indulges in.
Overall, a well thoughout and realized movie for serious viewers.