Not Spielberg's standards...

Rating: Null/10 (6 December 2004)

I watched the movie for two reasons.... Spielberg and Tom Hanks. Disappointed to say that it does not match Spielberg's standards. Spielberg tries to balance his portfolio by alternating scifi movies and realistic ones. This time I was expecting the likes of Saving Pvt Ryan, Schindlers List but I guess, the the plot itself was mellow so there was nothing much the director could have given value-addition. In one of the interviews Spielberg confessed that once that he had lost his creative ability since he has taken the helm of production affairs. I agree with him.
Tom Hanks tries to live to the skin of Victor Navorski, a citizen of East European country Krakozia which faces internal coup the moment he lands at NYC Airport. Admirably Tom Hanks has delivered a splendid performance to the extent he seems convincing as he tries to learn and speak English. And more so... how he makes the Terminal a home, making friends, finding job and finding love!! As every story needs a fly in the ointment, we have the Airport Manager who plays spoil sport and apparently has no job except to be at the back of our main hero.
A few interesting tracks and episodes in the Terminal about Tom Hanks playing cupid between two airport staff. The Indian Janitor evoked a few laughs. Catherine Zeta Jones was okay.
Ending was not upto the expectations revealing the suspense of can of peanuts.
Its one of those movies you would watch to be updated on the directors filmography and forget about it the moment you walk out of the cinema hall.