World Trade Center

"Another example of heroic love is the American hero. "
-Mortimer Adler

**** Stars

Five years after the tragedy of September the 11th, America seems to have slowly forgotten what truly happened that day. Sometimes, the people of this world need to be reminded of its failures...and its courage. Director Oliver Stone creates a gentle, heartbreaking, and heroic story of two men who risked all they had to save others...and themselves.

We all know the details of what happened that day. Two planes hit the towers and both collapsed. Many of the officers actually had little idea of what had truly happened to the towers. Many thought only one tower was hit. The smoke was so bad they could not see the other building. Confusion circulated many officials as the frantically tried to get into the buildings to start the rescue mission.

John McLoughlin (Nicholas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Pena) were two Port Authority police officers who were called to the scene of the World Trade Center attacks. Both entered the North Tower with other members of their rescue team. Sadly, they were the only ones from the group pulled out alive.

While trapped in the rubble, McLoughlin and Jimeno experienced a lifetime of pain and memories. Flashbacks were brought back into the minds of the men as the desperately try to keep one another awake and alive. Jimeno comes close to death and claimed to see Jesus Christ holding a bottle of water. Other visions of their lives and love ones are seen that apparently help prevent their death. John's wife Donna (Mario Bello) and Will's wife Allison (Maggie Gyllenhaal) sat and watch from home as the waited painfully the fate of their husbands. Thankfully, both returned home safely. Sadly, 2,976 did not.

Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena are two very gifted actors. They care so deeply about these characters, that you are lost into the story. They both give sincere and award worthy performances. Oliver Stone directs them with simplistic complexity; meaning that the story is a simple tale of courage and survival, but the visions they see are never understandable. From Platoon to JFK, Stone seems to have no problem questioning the truth. But in this case, he re-creates it. World Trade Center is Stone’s most respectful and high-spirited film ever. Even though it has several Hollywood clichés, Stone's message is clear. America has forgotten the emotions of September the 11th. It shows us that no matter what happens to us, our flag will always be raised. Leaving the theater, I silently looked down at my water bottle and realized how much we have taken for granted.