Terminal is fading fast

Rating: 4/10 (4 July 2005)

This Spielberg helmed tale VERY loosely based on the story of Iranian refugee, Merhan Nasseri, has Tom Hanks as Viktor Navorski, stuck in an American airport, rather than a French one (because if it was set in France, why couldn't have those great jabs at the Department of Homeland Security, right?) after his Visa is void thanks to his home country being in a state of upheaval. He must find a way to survive while the evil Homeland Security authority figure attempts to get him out of the airport. The film actually convinced me that it wasn't going to be a pretty good, albeit cute little film. Then the horribly miscast Mrs. Michael Douglas shows up as Viktor's love interest (cause, hey what good looking woman WOULDN'T want some homeless refugee man-meat?) and the film starts it's gradual decline into mediocrity. Hank's acting is great as alway, but everyone else, not so much. And I'm sorry Tom couldn't or shouldn't have to carry a film all by his lonesome. I'm still waiting for Spielberg to make another great movie (his last one I loved was "Saving Private Ryan), but every film since than, has been a major disappointment in one way or another. This one perhaps more so, as the first 15 or 20 minutes showed much promise.
My Grade: C-