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The Terminal (Widescreen Edition)

The Terminal (Widescreen Edition)

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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Spend A Layover In This "Terminal"...Despite Its Flaws
Review: 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.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Boring
Review: The movie is simply boring. Hanks, as always, gives a very good, very smooth performance. THis is reallly a star actor, but one who can ACT indeed!

But the history... it's boring. A good and touching ending, I agree, but boring.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Bland garbage...
Review: This movie was a severe disappointment to the world of movie making. I guess the public would be a bit more forgiving if it weren't Spielberg running the ship. But for his standards, you'd expect something a bit better.

This movies was chalked full of properly placed conveniences for the main character played by Hanks. Plus, corny lines are laid out all over the film making one roll their eyes every 2 minutes. The only guesswork Spielberg gave you in this film was the possible contents of Hank's character's tin can he carried around with him, which he attempts to tease you with through the film. But it doesn't work. Hank's character is too sweet. The movie is built up as a nice movie after watching trailers for it. Therefore, I could care less about what was in that can.

To keep this short, this movie sticks to the classic (and premature) theatrical storytelling keeping everything convenient and predictable. I give it two stars because it had me chuckling in. But not three stars because I wouldn't watch this movie again, held at gunpoint.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: the terminal
Review: Victor(Tom Hanks) is a man without a country, stuck at the airport, because his country is at war and there is no official leader. Not having a country Victor is not allowed on American soil. Victor resides in Gate 57,becomes friends with various airport employees, and even finds romance with a flight attendant(Catherine Zeta Jones). Termainal is Tom Hanks movie, he is the one who keeps it watchable. The movie is overly long,while good at times overall the movie is rather slow. If it weren't for Tom Hanks this movie would be a bomb! Rent it before you buy it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great movie... just too long!
Review: 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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