The Terminal (2004)

Her Review:

Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) is a wanna be immigrant to the US who is fleeing his home country that is in a state of chaos.  As a result of the turmoil in his home land and his hasty departure, Viktor finds himself stuck in a JFK airport in New York.  Unable to leave the airport or even return to his homeland he attempts to make the best of a bad situation.  Despite airport official Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci) viewing Viktor as a nussance, the other employees including Amelia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) a devestatingly beautiful flight attendant actually welcome Viktor as an unofficial member of their ranks and treat him as a friend.  Also starring Diego Luna, Chi McBride, Kumar Pallana, Zoe Saldana, Eddie Jones, and Jude Ciccolella.

I am a big Tom Hanks fan, and he doesn’t disappoint in The Terminal.  His naturally easy-going nature is perfect for the character of Viktor whose innocence is what endears him to all the other characters in the film except the almost evil Frank Dixon.  You can’t help but root for Viktor and hate Stanley Tucci’s character.  And I was actually glad that the romance between Viktor and Amelia never becomes full-fledged because somehow I feel like that would have spoiled it a bit.  This is just one of those movies that makes you feel good about life but also teaches you a lesson as well.

8/10 Stars – Just a feel good film that is worth seeing but not anything really really special.

His Review:

Take the talents of Tom Hanks, Stanley Tucci and Steven Spielberg and you know this can’t be a bad movie.  The premise is simple and a little odd, but with plenty of emotion, heart and chemistry, the story shows us that no matter where we are born or live, we are all human.  Although Spielberg is more known for his Sci-Fi movies, he still does great jobs with his dramas and this is an emotional comedic drama.  If you liked Catch Me If You Can, or any of Hanks and Spielberg films, then check out the Terminal.

8/10 Stars - Not Spielberg’s best, but then again, nothing he does is below wonderful.

Click Below for Links to IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0362227/

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1133499-1133499-terminal/