Review(s): DVD The Terminal (Widescreen 3-Disc Collector's Set)
A funny, warm comedy all audiences will enjoy!
I recommend you all go see this movie! Tom Hanks plays an immigrant named Viktor Navorski from the Eastern European country of Krekozhia who travels to New York City on a personal mission. Upon arriving to the U.S., Navorski finds out that his country has had a civil war. As a result, he can neither return to his country nor enter the U.S. until the civil war ends and if the U.S. recognizes Krekozhia's new government. He is left stranded at J.F.K. airport and is then ordered by Homeland Security officials to remain in the airport's international transit lounge until peace returns to his country. During the time he is there, Navorski finds out that the terminal is a world in itself where he experiences things like ambition, generosity, amusement status as well as romance with a beautiful flight attendant he meets played by Catherine Zeta-Jones. Meanwhile, the Homeland Security supervisor who originally ordered Viktor to remain in the terminal considers him a problem he has a hard time controling in the system he oversees and a glitch he wants to quickly erase. This film also touches on the bureaucratic non-sense immigrants have to endure when they come here. Aside from its (what I percieve to be) indirect political statement, overall, The Terminal is a funny and warm comedy audiences of all kinds can enjoy.
Spend A Layover In This "Terminal"...Despite Its Flaws
In Steven Spielberg's "The Terminal", Tom Hanks stars as Viktor Navorski, who comes to New York City from his home country of Krakohzia, unfortunately, just as the government is overthrown in a military coup. Now, as his country is now "no longer recognized" by the United Nations, his tickets and passport are invalid, and he is stranded between America and Krakohzia; within the terminal at JFK airport. Speaking little English and without American money, Viktor's temporary stay turns into 9 months where he creates a home for himself, befriending airport employees (Chi McBride, Diego Luna, Kumar Pullana) and annoying Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci), a security executive who feels Viktor is a threat to his strive for a promotion. Viktor also falls in love with flight attendant Amelia Warren (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who always seems to be with the wrong man.
Lately, after creating films to challenge our perception of reality and of the future, "The Terminal" is a nice change for Spielberg, who seems to return to the similar genre every so often. It's not exactly hard-hitting, but it's entertaining, and a whimsical idea for a film that is executed well, even more so with a brilliant Hanks attached to the role of Viktor Navorksi. In a difficult to understand accent, and a sort of confused yet resourceful and humorous manner, the audience is immediately taken up with him. He plays to the compassionate side of the audience, and we can't help but to ooze sympathy and root for him throughout the film. He is, in a sense, the perfect leading man. As a supporting cast, Tucci is fantastic as Frank Dixon, and Diego Luna is perfect as a lovesick airline worker. However, the real nod goes to Kumar Pallana, whose oddball and paranoid Indian janitor of a character supplies a large portion of humor in the film.
Aside from the performances, the set of the terminal itself is nothing short of brillance, although it's certainly not like any airport I've ever been to. With an electrical ticket board, level upon level, and throngs of product placements, it is a massive, yet extremely realistic visual setting, that personifies the chaos of airports and traveling, and also provides a splendid backdrop for the film.
While it is a good film with some solid performances and big laughs, there are many things in "The Terminal" that don't exactly work. Thanks to holes in the script, and plotlines that end up falling apart (for example, the romance between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tom Hanks) the problems with the movie are hard to miss. While attention to detail in other areas is immaculate, the script has obvious flaws that no one seemed to catch, and some plot choices stretch our concept of what could actually happen. However, the film is funny, clever, and certainly original, and for that, it makes for an enjoyable day at the movies, despite its flaws.
Great movie... just too long!
Wow. This is an amazing movie. One of Tom Hank's best, and one of Catherine Zeta-Jones's worst. She is the only disappointment in this movie. She is normally I very good actress but in this movie she is just... I don't know...her and Tom Hanks don't really click. Her portrayal of a somewhat ditzy, emotionally distraught flight attendant is wimpy and a little boring. The three people who befriend Tom Hanks in this movie, the janitor and the other two people... who he plays poker with... have great supporting roles and their careers should sky-rocket now. So...if it is such a great movie why do I only give a a four star rating? BECAUSE IT IS SOOOOOOOO LONG! It is about two hours and eight minutes long which doesn't seem terribly long (especially after seeing Return of the King twice in one day), but it is almost like there could be twelve endings...and it seems like its almost over then BAM! a pan to another scene. That is the only reason it gets four stars. But go see it anyways. Its one of those movies that, even though you might now watch it all the time... it is one that you will love watching a couple times a semester ( I'm a Jr.High student and movies are like... one of my favorite things in the world). Anyway great flick, go see it, and when it comes out buy it.
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