Rating: 
Summary: SPIELBERG WASTES HANKS'S TALENT IN A STORY FETCHED FAR
Review: "The Terminal," is from a story by Gervasi and Andrew Niccol (also wrote the "The Truman Show") recalls the counterculture, absurd whimsy that were put up on movie screens everywhere in the 1960s and 1970s.
"The Terminal" very much resembles the earlier movies "King of Hearts" and "Harold and Maude." These are movies about government officials in charge who are boobs and incompetents with an obsession for regulation and procedure. Their opposites are rebellious free spirits or, more often, the naive and innocent who irritate and roused the anger of the powerful who decide to squash them.
The central character, played by Tom Hanks is an East European who lands in New York expecting a brief visit -- a favor to his father's memory. But he soon learns that during his voyage a coup had toppled his nation's government, now making him a man without a country. He becomes stuck at the international section of the airport terminal.
He's not permitted to officially enter the United States because his passport has become voided. He can't go home because chaos reigns there. So he converts a row of chairs into a bed and hunkers down indefinitely in the Gate 68 waiting area.
I first saw this movie in a theater. Near the beginning of the movie, an immigration officer at JFK Airport in New York announces, "America is closed." Amazingly, the audience did nothing in the the way of reacting to the line. No self-righteous applause, no hissing or booing. Nothing. I took this as some evidence that it's blandly, painfully inoffensive.
Such movies offer to the American counterculture a fairy tale that their pure hearts would eventually defeat the forces of conformity and war and the corporate culture lined up against them. In other words, instead of making a political statement, they substituted kookiness and slapstick for politics.
Spielberg could have tackled this story in several ways: "The Terminal" could have been presented a humanistic comedy drama, a satire of bureaucracy, a critique of overwrought security procedures, a psychological study, or a Kafkaesque nightmare. But most of those options would need more depth and insight. Rather, Spielberg had chosen the simplest route: going mostly for laughs.
Alas, the movie suffers from intermittent lapses into sentimentality and melodrama. At first it seems Hanks's acting might save the picture. But Hanks is at a tricky stage of his career. He's no longer the bright-eyed youngster, but not yet exactly a revered screen icon. So Hanks falls back on his trade marked amiability -- that is beginning to wear a bit thin.
"The Terminal," presents an utterly false view of today's airports - without showing long lines waiting to go through security, passengers yanking off their shoes, or metal detectors warning the world about ordinary belt buckles - and a completely simplistic view of contemporary America.
The movie has a few high points, saving it from becoming unbearable. No doubt, Hanks is very talented and Spielberg is very talented. But their movie was beyond resuscitation.
Rating: 
Summary: A throwback to the golden age of movies...
Review: ...when movies were made to tell a story, when they were not being made sorley for the purpose of making money. The Terminal is a diamond in the rough, a treasure thats overlooked by many, but those who seek it and watch it will be well rewarded.
In many ways, the Termial is a throwback to a movie making era long past. As far as I can tell, there are no real special effects in the movie (OK, maybe some bluescreen and some shooting coins, but thats it). There are no explosions, no violent deaths, no gunfights. All there is are people talking, carachter development and just a touch of humor.
The plot concerns a man named Viktor, who's country has been temporarily overthrown, meaning that he has no country. So he cant go back, and he cant go forward into the United States. So now he's stuck at an airport. He has to survive withought any money or food, all the while being slowly manipulated by the airports new director, who is not happy about him staying there...
The plot may be simple, but the performances are what makes this movie shine. Tom Hanks is brilliant as Viktor. You really do care about his charachter, whos just a simple traveler who wants to go to New York city, yet he cant understand why he has to stay at the airport. As time goes on, Viktor learns more and more english, and we get to understand him better. Hank's performance simply must be seen to believe. The supporting cast is top notch as well. Everyone, from the food delivery guy, to the head of security has a top notch performance.
I had a lot of fun watching how a man adapts to living in an airport, from eating crackers to getting a place to sleep, and finding out more about the people who work at the airport. You know those people who stay behind desks and stamp papers endlessly? After watching this movie, i'll never look at them the same way again.
One performance that really stands out for me is that of the janitor. At first he's a grumpy old man, but as you get to know him better, he has a sad past. And his last scene in the movie is incredible, but I will say nothing of that.
In this age where we routinely see decapitations, limbs getting sliced off, and people getting blown up in a movie, this film has a moment near the end that litteraly stopped my heart for a moment because I was so shocked and frightened when I saw it. We see a guy get blown up, we yawn. You watch this scene, and you'll be terrified for the charachter in the scene. My family and I were in shock while watching it. Its a heartbreaking moment.
Aside from a great cast, the Terminal really explores the idea of people who are not related in any way, getting to know each other and who they are. And it does it incredibly well.
Sadly, the last five minutes of the film are a small let down, as if Steven Spielberg can't decide when to end the movie. I dont want to give anything away, but at the end I wanted to see the people at the Terminal again before the credits rolled. But sadly, that did not happen. A small complaint, but it can be forgiven compared to how powerful the rest of the movie is.
In the end, the Terminal is really a film about telling a story, where we care about the charachters instead of special effects, and The Terminal succeds wonderfully at its goal. For those willing to watch it, the Terminal is a true diamond in the rough.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy!
Review: A bit of a diversion, a fantasy if you will. Are people (supervisors) working in the Immigration Service really as mean as all that . . . I hope not . . . and he was MEAN, real mean. What was his problem with Viktor? The love interest . . it was hard to see why she would gravitate toward him in any way, one of the most beautiful 39 year olds you will ever see . . but then I am sure that there are many women out there leading such difficult aimless lives, although I doubt that they would look like her. Lots of schmaltz, particularly when Viktor came in contact with the Russian . . . no sex, no bad language (hardly any), no violence . . . at least that was something positive about this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Playing it Safe with the Sweet Story: No Resonance
Review: Even if you like Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, immensely talented guys I admit, you must admit 'The Terminal' is not up to the same mark of 'Saving Private Ryan' or 'Catch Me If You Can.' With someone else on board, I would give this lukewarm film three or more stars. With them, never.
The protagonist of his film has a model: a certain Iranian person living in Charles De Gaulle Airpoit in France, who must be still living there. He came from Iran as refugee, lost his passport, and has been staying in the airport for more than 15 years.
In 'The Terminal,' Tom Hanks is Viktor Navorski, a traveller from a fictional country (probably former USSR in mind) Krakozia, where a military uprising leads to a revolution. Technically, this country is gone, in other words, and Viktor is stuck in JFK Airport, with his return ticket and passport taken away by the authority Frank Dixon, played by hugely underrated Stanley Tucci.
Now, let me ask -- Do you really believe in this story? Tom Hanks, whose looks no other than Tom Hanks, an American, plays a guy from Easten Europe. That requires great amount of suspention of disbelief. Moreover, because of the reasons I don't know, Frank Dixon in chrage of the airport security, who needs promotion desperately, always misses the right choice when handling this possible political refugee, as if this guy must be the arch-villain to this sweet, too sweet Hanks. And to add to that, the film gives us a love interest in Catherine Zeta-Jones as flight attentant, whose acting is utterly bland.
Think this way. Why does not Dixon call for someone who can interprete Viktor's language much sooner? Why does not Viktor leave the place when it is very, very easy to do? And most of all, after the events of Sep. 11th, why let this guy roam in the international airport in America? In Paris, maybe. In today's America, not a chance. And this film is made in America.
No wonder they changed the film's ending. No wonder it received mixed reviews from critics (though they are stil too kind to this film). The film had no chance from the start to convince us of what it tries to show. In addition to these too improbable situations, 'The Terminal' is too sugar-coated and toothless. The costly set of the airport is wonderful to see, but that goes nowhere.
Rating:
Summary: A Marvelous Film!!!
Review: From the start of this film, you are lured into thinking it is "just another Tom Hanks movie," however as it begins to unfold, you are pleasantly surprised at the well-thought out premise of this story.
Tom Hanks is wonderful as the visitor to the United States who just wants to visit a jazz club, although you don't know that from the beginning. And when he discovers that he has to remain in the Terminal because his home country has just had a revolution, and that the United States has not yet "recognized" the new nation, he finds that due to bureaucratic rules, he must stay in the terminal or risk being arrested by the Federal government.
There is so much in this film which is worthy of discussion, and many subplots, but to give away those would be a disservice to the reader of this review. Let me just say that it was a provocative film and filled with wonder and awe, and to watch Hanks perform was something out of the "old fashioned" movies of Gary Cooper and Jimmy Stewart.
A true classic!! And highly recommended!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Spielberg's Delightfully Playful Tale of a Man's Loyalty...
Review: Hope, goodness, and optimism are usually insignias by the popular director Steven Spielberg and his many films. Despite dark and gloomy material, Spielberg succeeds in turning these into positive lessons of humanity as he grabs the audience's attention and aims it towards the light. Many think this positive perspective of humanity is sometimes a little too unrealistic, which may be true in many aspects. However, Spielberg makes films that are easy to watch in a society drowned in misery spread by the TV and radio news where each day the audience hears a new body count. In a society such as ours it is important to highlight the good moments of humanity, which are seldom transmitted by the news. Spielberg is one of these people that offer the world a perspective on why life is worth living and why there is a hope for humanity despite the mayhem and destruction in the world.
Terminal is essentially about walls that people have built in order to protect themselves. One of these walls is the law of traveling between nations, which requires passports, visas, and other documentation that proves an individual's identity. Post 9/11 the United States has implemented stricter laws in regards to proving the identity of people, which often creates more headache for ordinary people. Most people traveling between nations do not intend to do harm to the nations they are visiting as people travel with the purpose of business or pleasure. Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks), a citizen of Krakozia, a fictional country, arrives to JFK as he is about to enter New York, the Big Apple, for some unknown reason that is connected with a peanut tin can. After having been standing and waiting in the long line it is finally Victor's turn with the Homeland Security officer to approve his visit to the U.S., but his visit is declined.
The best depiction of why Victor is declined entry to the United States is when he sits down with the newly appointed head of JFK, Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci), who physically demonstrates for Victor, who does not speak English, that he is a man without country. This involves Dixon slamming his fist into a bag of potato chips, which ends up all over Victor. Still in confusion, Victor brushes the potato chips off his shoulder and arm while they escort him into the airport terminal, which is international ground. Inside the terminal, Victor realizes, through the news, that there has been a military coup in Krakozia and the United States does not recognize the new leadership. This means that Victor is a man without a country and an invalid passport stranded in an international twilight zone.
Quandary after quandary seem to face Victor as he remains within the terminal's walls. Hunger assaults him, but he prevails as he finds alternate ways of discovering means to obtain the essentials of life. Laundry and personal hygiene direct Victor to the public restrooms as visitors stare at him in bewilderment, as he washes his armpits in the bathroom faucet. The many hardships that come Victor's way hit him hard, yet he continues to do the right thing. Despite the many difficulties Victor perseveres, as his struggle becomes an analogy for politeness, hope, and liberty.
Spielberg depicts the story of Victor's stay in the terminal through a similar touch that older audience members might recognize from Frank Capra and others alike. Yet, Spielberg leaves his own mark on the film, as it turns into a contemporary fairy-tale with scenes where Victor provides a gift certificate for new shoes for a flight attendant, Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who has slipped and broken her heel. Scenes such as this make the story delightfully playful, as the improbable becomes probable for Victor who is the insignificant person everyone wants to win.
In Terminal, the evident insignia of Spielberg emerges in the opening through Tom Hanks' character as he perseveres through adversity and remains with the audience as he develops new friendships. Tom Hanks makes Victor believable and authentic through struggling with the English language and a heavy accent. There are also additional aspects of the film that makes it a good film such as the cinematography, mise-en-scene, and performances by other cast members. Ultimately, Spielberg saves the day with a solid cinematic experience enhanced by Tom Hanks' performance.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Story
Review: I hate to admit the idea behind The Terminal is a little far fetched. Skeptics can bash the movie all they want, but what we have here is one of the best movies of 2004 from master director Steven Spielberg and two of the best in the business with Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta Jones.Viktor Navorski(Hanks)is from the Republic of Karhozi. He's come to America and has landed in the JFK airport. While he was in the air his country was overtaken by local rebels. His passport is no longer legal and he can't get a visa. He can't enter the U.S. without a visa, and he can't go home because his passport is no longer recognized by the United States since his goverment isn't functional. He's a small crack in a huge system and all of this is explained to him from Security Director Frank Dixon(Tucci). He can do one thing and that is stay in the airport. He can't leave the terminal until peace is established and the U.S. will recognize his leaders. Viktor doesn't understand it at first but quickly catches on. He has no money, because his countries money is no good. He's given a few provisions by the airport, but he quickly loses them. So he does what Dixon says, and he stays in the terminal. He quickly starts to learn in the terminal. He eats crackers with ketchup and mustard for a while until he finds an easy way to get money. He lives in gate 67 which is closed for repairs. He fins an alternative source for food when he meets Enrique(Diego) a gourmet food supplier who quickly gives him food for information about one of the woman in the airport that he loves. They become friends along with Enriques other comrades Ray and Gupta(Henley & Pallana). While in the Terminal Viktor gets a job with the construction crew. He starts earning good money and he meets a woman that he quickly is enchanted by. Amelia(Jones) is a flight attendant at the airport. She is in there every couple of weeks and is dating a married man. She isn't happy with her life and Viktor tries to change that. There friendship develops and we find out the reason that Viktor came to America. I won't reveal anymore of the story because I don't want to spoil anymore. Tom Hanks is the man in this movie. He delivers the best performance of 2004 to this date with the character Viktor Navorski. His accent is fantastic and he even changes the normal way that he walks to play him. Like he did in Philadelphia, he becomes the character and you no longer see Tom Hanks. That's he's one of the best in the business, because of the so many memorable characters he's been. This is one of the best he's done and he has to be the early Oscar favorite. This is a limited role for Catherine Zeta Jones. She doesn't get a lot of screen time, but when she's on it she's memroable. It's a totally different look for one of the worlds most beautiful woman and she pulls it off. Some say this role is a waste of the Oscar winners talents, but they are so wrong. There isn't a trace of her heavy Welsh accent at all in the movie. She plays Amelia to perfection. She is easily one of the most talented actresses in the world and she doesn't disappoint. Only Spielberg could have made this movie. Everything is perfectly done in it. You feel like you are in an actual airport. Everything is authentic. This is one of the best sets ever done in a movie. The shots are great and this movie is so well made. Spielberg is a perfectionist and you can tell that by how well made this is. The story in this moive is awesome. It's a great tale of love and frienship. The theater I was in had people cheering and some were crying. It does drag at times, but it's not that bad. There are a lot of characters and all are developed well. We see a complete change in a man, and it couldn't have been done well in a 90 minute movie. I love this moive. In my opinion it's the best movie of the year to this date. I've seen it twice and the left the theater smiling and happy each time. It's another classic from two of the best in the business with Hanks and Spielberg. Go see The Terminal and prepare yourself for a great time.
Rating:
Summary: A funny, warm comedy all audiences will enjoy!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: FIRST CLASS ENTERTAINMENT, INDEED.
Review: I saw thios movie a couple of hours ago and I think that the movie itself is..mmm...yeah funny. But what I always check on every movie are the performances and acting. I think that TOM HANKS was more of a retard than European from BULGARIA, I think. CATHERINE ZETA JONES' performance was, different than others like from TRAFFIC or CHICAGO. STANLEY TUCCI was great too. I think the movie itself has a little boring parts. If you like those kind of movies where there is romantic touches and different plots at the same time, then you'll love this one. I liked it. Not that crazy about it either. I just liked it very much, but it has its ups and downs, you know. I'm not gonna say any plots points. I never do. O.K. That's it. I hope you found it helpfull.
Rating:
Summary: "Do you have an appointment?"
Review: If you're looking for a sweet, poignant comedy, The Terminal is the movie for you. Tom Hanks stars as Victor, fresh off the plane from a small Eastern European country whose government was overthrown while he was inflight. Until the U.S. recognizes the new regime, his passport is invalid and he cannot leave the airport, according to the security chief (Stanley Tucci). Victor proceeds to make himself at home in the terminal, befriending some airport workers and even starting a romance with a lovely but flawed flight attendant (Catherine Zeta-Jones).
This movie is simply a joy. Hanks' innocent-but-wise character is so likable that you are cheering for him all the way as he becomes involved in the lives of his quirky airport friends (lead by the scene-stealing Kumar Pallana), gets a good-paying airport job, and shows what a decent and caring man he is. Tucci is perfect as the humorless security man who watches as Victor's stay in the terminal stretches to nine months. Zeta-Jones is interesting as a troubled woman who collects men, and her character adds some reality and even saddness to the otherwise fantasy-world of Victor's airport.
The Terminal is a feel-good comedy with an excellent script and an amazing set that will make you think it was really filmed in an airport. Fans of Tom Hanks will add Victor to his long list of loveable characters. Highly recommended.
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