Movie Review for The Terminal (2004)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Rated: PG-13
Runs: 128 min

This movie I quite liked, especially for its interesting turn of events, although its not a movie I'd watch over and over again like Shrek 2. However, Tom Hanks does a remarkable job of playing the eastern European lost immigrant with a Bulgarian accent, although that could be credited to his wife, who happens to be half Bulgarian herself. The story is about a certain Viktor Navorski (Hanks) who arrives at JFK only to find out the country he left has just had a coup, the Vice President is assassinated, and in doing so becomes, until the US recognises the new government, a stateless refugee. His only home: the airport, where he forges an unlikely relationship with the workers, uses his creativity to get through the tough times, and annoys the airport security chief (and falls in love with a United flight attendant). The plot was surprising in the way it unfolded, for what I expected was so much different from what actually happened. As, for example, I thought Navorski would actually walk out of the JFK doors, or that Amelia Warren (Zeta-Jones) would accompany Viktor once he left the airport towards the end. It was a bit disappointing at the end to see Viktor leave behind his airport friends who supported him in so many ways without even a word of thanks. But I guess Viktor had more pressing goals to achieve. For those of you who did see it, did anyone notice that in the hat shop, when a guy announces to a lady that Viktor is leaving, and the shop lady replies that Viktor is heading home, and the guy corrects her by saying that no, he's going to New York, the customer she's attending to is wearing a hat that extends below his/her eyes? I found that insanely hilarious. Diego Luna (Dirty Dancing), who acted as Enrique Cruz, did a great job doing his part too. A good 4 out of 5 stars for the movie whose coincidences were a bit too remarkable but memorable nonetheless.

Post your comments Written on Sunday, September 19 at 2:04 PM