Like any airport, it has it's ups and downs

Rating: Null/10 (20 November 2004)

Among the ups: Hanks. Someone pointed out that you can't look away from him, and they're right, the guy just radiates charisma and star power, plus he had the somewhat confused- slightly lost look down perfectly, he's a from a small country, and this is all new to him, of course he's gonna have that "deer in the headlights" look at times. His circle of pals are amazing, Chi McBride who NEVER fails to impress is simply brilliant again, and while Diego Luna does nice work, both of them get blasted off the screen by Kumar Pallana in a small, yet scene stealing role. The guy is very funny, yet quite touching. Stanley Tucci plays the jackass by-the-book type, but somehow never generates any sympathy for his character, even though he's caught between a rock and a hard place. The set is amazing, and they captured the whole airport look and feel perfectly. The downs: Who the hell ever told Catherine Zeta Jones she could act? Marrying Micheal Douglas does not mean you should be working. She's sooooo...........shallow, in what could have been a hell of a role for her, Spielberg blew it on putting her in this because she really brings it down whenever she's on screen. Gwynneth Paltrow or Renee Zellweger would have been better, hell, Drew Barrymore could have been more convincing! Bad, talentless actress ruins what could have been a great movie, despite great rest of cast, great director, cinematography, offbeat storyline, had Hanks had someone of skill to work off of, he'd be an Oscar favorite right now, unfortunately, the costar of no discernible skills sinks this one. Better luck next time Tom.