(up front) Nicholas Cage as John McLoughlin and Michael Peña (way right) as Will Jimeno star in Paramount Pictures’ World Trade Center, © 2006.

World Trade Center is the second full feature film version of the events of September 11th. Many people still complain, even the same remarks I heard when United 93 was released. “It’s too soon.” Some people whine, others feel the films are not necessary at all. What most do not seem to understand that, this event changed us, in a good way or a bad way. What needs to be understood, and I’m pretty sure I mentioned this in my review of United 93 (but yet people still don’t understand), is that disasters bring out the best in people. Sometimes we just need to be reminded that, despite all the evil, there is still some good in the world.

However, the events between these two 9/11 films vary greatly. In United 93, we witnessed the hijacking of a plane and the passengers rebelling against there attackers, sacrificing themselves to prevent further danger in the country. World Trade Center focuses around two real life policemen who rushed into the towers during the attack attempting to evacuate the building. Unfortunately, they couldn’t get out before the towers came down and were buried alive.

I had an interesting conversation with someone the other day about these 9/11 films. They stated that they had no reason to see them, because they already know what happens and it’s a waste of time. I really couldn’t believe their explanation, because so much happened on that day and it affected everyone. Everybody on that day had a story to tell, because it was the day the nation woke up and everyone knows exactly where they were and what they were doing. It’s both fascinating and horrifying to witness what the deceased had to go through on that warm September morning.

Port Authority Police Officer John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage), husband to Donna (Maria Bello), father to four children, and Officer Will Jimeno (Michael Peña), husband to Allison (Maggie Gyllenhaal, father to one daughter and soon to be two, rushed into The World Trade Center with a few members of their squad in attempt to evacuate the buildings. After the towers collapse, and after the last few powerful tremors, John and Will find themselves to be the only ones alive, buried under tons of rubble twenty feet underground.

The rest of the story revolves around their worrying families, as well as others in the world who make their way to ground zero in attempt to rescue the buried, and Marine David Karnes (Michael Shannon), their hero who would rescue them.

Another emotionally powerful, memory evoking, well made 9/11 film. One may dismiss this film as a Hollywood blockbuster story of survival full of special effects and big stars. I however, would not. This was an enormous attack, with very destructive results, and if a film version is going to be depicted, let it be as realistic as possible. The fact that there were fairly recognizable celebrities, though sometimes a little distracting, is replaced with the fact that each star had the opportunity to meet with the actual person involved, because thankfully, they survived to tell their tale.

The screenplay, and this ties in with what I have said earlier, is almost perfectly realistic, especially because it was written by Andrea Berloff working with the real McLoughlins and Jimenos. The cinematography by Director Oliver Stone and Seamus McGarvery also adds plenty to the realism, most of the outdoor shots, ground zero shots, and panicking street shots, use a held camera, helping to establish the true horror, but real life scenario.

Of all the actors in the film, Nicolas Cage stood out from the rest of them for some reason. It wasn’t because he’s so famous, but because he’s so used to creating his own characters, which he does fantastically, that I wasn’t used to seeing him in a role depicting a real-life individual. Besides his looks in this film, fashioning a small black busy mustaches, but for some reason, his head and neck region look more ragged, yet muscular.

Oliver Stone directs with sharp determination, and isn’t afraid to show us what we have to see, but does spare us from what we don’t have to. Back in 2004, he directed Alexander, the action filled bio-pic of the amazing conqueror starring Colin Ferrel. His films are rumored to be littered with conspiracy, but from what I viewed last night, this is as far from that as possible.
This is a true story about true human drama that went on in New York City and like ripples in a puddle it reached out and took the country by surprise.

For those of you who missed United 93, you’re being given a second chance to see a 9/11 film in the cinema. Though mostly emotionally powerful and upsetting, sometimes you just need to be reminded what good people there still are around.

Rated PG-13 for intense and emotional content, some disturbing images and language.

Running time 125 minutes.

MAXimum Warning: Like the MPAA rating issued, even though it is an important film, you may want to think it over before viewing.