World Trade Center

Went to watch the movie 'WORLD TRADE CENTER' with my cousins last nite after dinner. The movie simply left me with lots of thoughts running through my head.



It's a little known story from a day we know all too well. "World Trade Center" tells the gripping true story of two of the last men pulled out of the rubble of Ground Zero alive. I was on the way home on that faithful day and was watching the news on TV Mobile. As i watched in awe of the gruesome and horrible scene where the plane clashes into the building, i remembered telling myself that something big and terrible had just happened in the states. And of course, a very quick run-through in my head if i knew of anyone was in NY or in the building at the time.

As i quickened my foot-steps from the bus-stop to home (and the first thing was to switch on the tv and yelled for mom & dad to watch it), it was just a couple of minutes later that made me realised that it was about terrorism and much more.

Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena play Port Authority Police officers. In the film's heart- pounding opening minutes, we watch the attack unfold through the eyes of these first responders. As the routine morning becomes anything but routine, the officers glimpse news reports and get bits of information from cellphone calls to family members as they race downtown. But what's most striking is how little the men know about what's really happening. As the officers prepare to the climb the North Tower, they are unaware the South Tower has even been hit. Communications gear is failing, and there is confusion all around.

The movie itself concentrates on two PAPD officers, Will and John. It follows their ordeal up to the point of rescue. OK. Seems good. But i can't help thinking about the many people that were in the building at that point and the 2700+ people that were lost on that terrible day. There were times during the movie that i almost forgot that it was based on the true story of 9/11 because it seemed like these were the only two men (along with their families) affected by the tragedy. What about the many others who know of friends, families, neighbours, aquantances etc in the building at that time? This was truly lacking. But of course, i have to keep reminding myself that it was based on their true encounter and experience, not others.

The movie gives the impression that September 11th and the days following was an uplifting experience because two men were found alive. It fails to document all that was lost and never recovered. Throughout the movie there were 3 mentions of lost people other than the main characters. The first of an unnamed elevator operator, the second was a quick clip of "missing person" posters, and the final was the ending credits that gave the true numbers. Those three scenes are what September 11th was.

This movie is not about the roots of terror, or who's to blame for what. It's not about villains. It's about heroes, friendships and triumps. It's about being positive even though it is a time of crisis and horror surrounding the situation. Though set during one of America's darkest hours, it tells a life-affirming story of courage, love and the strength people can summon inside. The movie reminds us how we all felt that day, how people all came together.

The horror of that day does exist in the movie, however it isn't overplayed or too dramatic to watch.... Also, that is not the main part of the movie. The movie is based on the lives of two of the trapped survivors as they tell/recall what happened to them on that day.

But overall, it was not as powerful as I was expecting. For a film called World Trade Center, I guess I was expecting a little more context and emotions and not something focused so narrowly on these two Port Authority cops and an ex-Marine from Connecticut. Basically not enough context and not intense enough. I felt that the writers spent too much time basing the movie on two men and their "story of triumph" that the true events of the day were left in the shadows. At the end of the movie, i felt that it has shortchanged the stories of the 2749 families who didn't get good news that day.

But what i like is when Oliver Stone utilizes real news footage to tie the narrative together, and one of those clips is of an extreme close up on the burning hole in Tower One, as someone jumps to their death. In this case, the truth was the best narrative this story could possibly have: the real footage of people emerging from the burning buildings is ten times more powerful than anything staged could ever be. And in the end, when Nicholas Cage is finally pulled out to the surface, we hear him saying "thank you" over and over again to all the people helping him. And this is Oliver Stones way of saluting those that were there.

This is a sentimental movie that will be certainly be tough for those who lost loved ones in the buildings to watch it. But it does pays tribute to the heroes and shows some of the good that came from the tragedy.

As i watched the movie, i was thinking ... if i had been in the building or was involved in some accidents or disaster, i would most likely be home with the lord already. But i can't help thinking of how affected, devastated and hysterical my parents, family, friends and all who know me will be. But what's assuring and definite is knowing for sure that there will be many who will be praying for me.

Nicholas Cage yelled out the Lord's prayer in the movie when he thought that 'that was it', it reminded me so much that when all is left and taken away, what is left and remains is just God and u. It's certainly a reminder to spend more time and effort reading the bible and memorising the verses.

Have i told anyone before that i had a dream about a 'not-not-good' experience in a plane that sets me fear everytime i take a flight. I can't remember the contents or details now but it seems to be a disaster.I have asked myself before ... does it mean that i will be involved in it? or is God showing me some act of terrorism or disaster? For this, i sure hope that it just remains a dream & nothing else. Well! Which explains why everytime there is turbulance, i do get scared and will start praying in my heart that all i want is to reach my destination safe & sound. So if u know that i'm travelling, i guess what u can help me is to pray that i will have a safe journey. This is a priceless gift which i ask for. It will mean alot to me:)