A Solid Tribute to the Heroes of September 11

Rating: 7/10 (12 September 2019)

Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center" is a well-acted and emotionally satisfying tribute to those who gave their all when the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001. Unlike many of Stone's previous films, he mostly ignores the politics of the era and instead focuses on developing a touching, human story about ordinary people in an impossible situation. "World Trade Center" lacks the same dramatic punch that defined "Platoon," "Born on the Fourth of July," and "JFK," and the pacing is too slow - especially in the second act. I also wish that Stone had done more to establish the main characters in the first act, which would've hightened my interest in the overall story. But by the end of the movie I was hooked into the lives of the real-life first responders and their families, all of whom are portrayed beautifully by the film's cast. In particular I was impressed by Michael Shannon and Michael Peña, who carry every scene they're in. Maggie Gyllenhaal also shines as a woman agonized with worry over her husband, and even Nicholas Cage gives a restrained and sympathetic performance. Stone, a native New Yorker, uses his strong cast and compelling visuals to recreate the horror of 9/11 and salute those who sacrificed so much on that darkest of days. I watched this movie on September 11, 2019 to commemorate the tragedy that happened 18 years ago. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed. 7/10.