Good story about bravery, duty, and humanity...but that's what we already knew about 9/11.

Rating: 7/10 (13 August 2006)

Given the poignant content of this film, it is difficult to be critically tough on it. However, bravery, duty,and most of all, humanity, is what we already knew and understood about 9/11, and quite bluntly...that's all this movie is, and not one tiny dimension more. It is about 4 people essentially; the 2 Port Authority cops who are trapped in the rubble of the disaster, keeping each other alive,and their wives who must deal with the agonizing uncertainty of what is happening, and what is going to happen to their families. All other characters are awarded non-distinct roles. Stephen Dorff; I was surprised to find out later that you were there. That is what is hugely missing here; a big picture look at at how this monumentally shocking and mind-numbing piece of history affected us all. It's as if this situation struck these four people directly, and the other characters felt sorry for them. Speculation was that Oliver (Stone)was going to make a bombastic statement here, but quite drastically opposite is the conspicuous void that leaves us wondering about how this offensive affected us beyond just poor John and Willy. OK, so maybe this was a meant to be a personal micro-look at how this horrific event shook a few individuals and their families, such that we can identify with, and relive the experience, as if we were personally and directly involved as they were. Bravo...mission accomplished here. But, a great movie is supposed to take our imaginations further and fill in gaps that we never imagined. This story should have plenty of that. Imagine the horror of being trapped in the stairwell of a doomed building...and having your last words with your loved ones on cell phone.... before the world caves in on your head. Sorry...I shouldn't have gone there, but maybe the movie should have....