We Can All Be Heroes.

Rating: Null/10 (30 September 2006)

Hot on the heels of "United 93" (arguably the best film of 2006), comes Oliver Stone's 9/11 drama "World Trade Center". Two New York City port authority police officers (Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena) get trapped as the first tower crumbles to the ground and we get a human drama that transcends time and the overall tragedy of that fateful day. The two men think about their lives and loves as their wives (Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal) cope with the very real possibilities that their husbands will not ever come home again. Stone's picture lacks the intensity and nervous feelings generated by "United 93", but the human interest is right on key. Stone, a noted conspiracy theorist who always has his ear to the pavement, decides to go the opposite route here and focus on the way that we joined together and raised up as one as buildings fell to the ground and changed the world forever. Sometimes difficult to watch and flawed, "World Trade Center" is still a memorable and important picture that will have significant historical and personal value as the years pass. 4 stars out of 5.