Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

World Trade Center Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov October 29, 2008

Recreating a tragedy that will be remembered for as long as our nation exists, Oliver Stone's "World Trade Center" (2006) is a bold, realistic and incredibly moving account of the events that took place on September 11, 2001. Expertly-lensed, evoking a sense of claustrophobia and downright chilling, the film is undoubtedly one of the director's best.

Attacked

For understandable reasons there were plenty of concerns when it was first announced that Oliver Stone will direct a movie about 9/11. Some thought that it was a bit too soon for Hollywood to approach a subject that brought so much pain and sorrow to our nation. Others greeted the news claiming that it was the right time to have a film that would honor those who survived the terror as well as those who did not. There was also a large group of people who were simply undecided.

When World Trade Center was finally given a green light by the big bosses at Paramount Studios everyone, from critics to casual viewers, began counting the days until its premiere. Little information was given to the press as to what Oliver Stone was putting together and as a result rampant speculations were abundant. The director's controversial public record did not help much either and even those who embraced the conspiracy-laden script of JFK (1991), the subversive message of Heaven & Earth (1993), and the sexually liberating tone of Alexander (2004) showed a bit of nervousness.

Judging by the passionate reviews World Trade Center continues to generate, however, I must conclude that it turned out to be precisely what America needed - an honest, if probably uncomfortable for many, summation of the events from 9/11. Not a cliched political statement, not a Hollywood feel-good blockbuster, and not a veiled accusation aiming to provoke rather than console the hearts and minds of ordinary Americans, no, this is not what World Trade Center turned out to be. Oliver Stone simply filmed, as best as he could, what everyone hoped he would - a piece of history.

The story of World Trade Center boasts a well-defined episodic structure. Prior to the terror attacks we are introduced to Port Authority policeman John McLaughlin (Nicolas Cage), his partner Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), and their wives (Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal). Then we witness the tragedy. From that point on the director effectively introduces two separate stories where the audience is given the opportunity to relive the aftermath of the attacks outside of the collapsed twin towers as well as on the inside where John McLaughlin and Will Jimeno are trapped amidst the debris.

There are three key reasons that I believe transform World Trade Center into the best film about the tragedy that took place on September 11 (United 93 considered). First, it is the complete lack of overdramatization. Even during the most gut-wrenching scenes the main characters retain their human emotions as absolutely none of their actions and words are exaggerated or polished to ill-perfection. Second, Oliver Stone's ability to maintain a truly suffocating sense of desperation that drives the story - frankly, I fail to see how the horrific sense of chaos that ensued after the towers collapsed could have been bettered here. Third, it is the immaculate camerawork. From start to finish World Trade Center is a brilliantly executed film that juxtaposes bits of personal tragedies into one gigantic nightmare where everyone is seen suffering. And instead of toying with fake patriotic preaching World Trade Center simply tells us how those who responded to the tragedy dealt with it.

World Trade Center Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, encoded with MPEG-2, and granted a 1080p transfer Oliver Stone's World Trade Center arrived on Blu-ray prior to Paramount Pictures' notorious exclusive move to the now defunct HDDVD camp. I obtained their BD release shortly after and to this day regard it as one of the most important entries in my library.

The transfer for World Trade Center is very pleasing. The delicate, intentionally claustrophobic, look Oliver Stone opted for is terrifically captured on Blu-ray. The depressing dark scenes where John and Will discuss their fate look magnificent and I dare say as effective as one could have hoped they would be. Furthermore, lighting is a key component in this terrific film and I am pleased to announce that the producers of this release have certainly done what they should have as detail, even during some of the darkest scenes, is spot on (yes, I am well aware that there are portions of the film where detail and clarity are greatly affected but what is intended to be seen is captured by the transfer perfectly). The daylight scenes, as well as the scenes from the hospital, are pleasing as well. Also, there is a healthy dose of film grain which is intact and as far as I am concerned external DNR alterations have not been applied. The shots from ground zero, with all of the heavy blacks and grays, are also well-rendered (and incredibly moving). The actual contrast levels the film reveals vary greatly as intended by its creator. To sum it all up, the Blu-ray replicates practically everything I witnessed in my local cinema perfectly.

World Trade Center Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are three audio tracks on this disc: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, and Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1. Obviously, there are some who believe that a Dolby True-HD track would have been preferable but I must concede that the Dolby Digital 5.1 track is more than adequate here. The massive collapse of the two towers for example is absolutely earth-shattering and honestly I doubt there would be people willing to upgrade if Paramount were to deliver a re-release of this film with upped audio specs. Furthermore, the subdued, at times ambient, environment World Trade Center boasts is preserved immaculately on Blu-ray and I did not detect a single issue of concern. The dialog is very easy to follow, crystal clear, and free of pop-ups, specks, or hissing. The music on the other hand is well balanced with the dialog and I did not detect any gaps between the two. Optional, English, French, Spanish, and English SDH sub-tracks are provided.

World Trade Center Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

World Trade Center boasts an overwhelming amount of supplemental materials with the majority of them appearing on disc two. On disc one there are two commentaries. The first one is an exclusive Oliver Stone piece. It is a long, informative, and rather painful reexamination of a tragedy and its recreation for the big screen. Two things impress here: first, it is the incredibly detailed analysis of the technical evolution of this project and, second, Oliver Stone's honest comments on everything that took place during and after the tragedy. I highly recommend this commentary as it certainly answers a lot of the politically (in)correct articles that followed up the release of World Trade Center. Listen to the director's words and think about what is said! The second commentary is with Will Jimeno, Scott Strauss, Jim Buschling and Paddy McGee, the heroes that survived 9/11. By far this is the most important piece found on this Blu-ray disc. It delivers a horrifying account of an event which our nation will never forget. Suffice to say, I've listened to it three times already and have never been able to make it all the way to the end without taking a very long break. I highly recommend that you spend the necessary time and listen to what is said in this commentary track as well. In addition, there is a gallery with deleted scenes, with an optional commentary by Oliver Stone, that were left on the cutting floor. Quite frankly, I did not find any of these to be of crucial importance.

On disc two the first piece of supplemental material is "Common Sacrifice", an approximately 55-minute long documentary chronicling John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno's road to recovery. The piece is broken into two segments, Rescue and Recovery, following the heroes and their families' personal ordeals. Next is "Building Ground Zero" which is a terrific look at the complex sets used to recreate the remains from the two collapsed towers. I urge you to see this piece as well as it pinpoints exactly where John and Will were after the twins collapsed. Next is "Visual and Special Effects" which explains how the tech team behind World Trade Center was able to recreate the city of New York before, during, and after the tragedy. Some of the comments here pertaining to the use of CGI effects are very intriguing. Next is an improvised documentary where Oliver Stone is interviewed by Charles Kiselyak while walking the streets of New York City. The director recalls his childhood years, his fascination with cinema, and how he matured as a director. He also comments on some of the criticism he has earned during the years for his typically outspoken stance on a number of touchy political issues. Next is a terrific press-conference-part-interview with Oliver Stone and Mark Kermode recorded in 2006. This is indeed the most openly political bit where the director talks about the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy as well as the far-reaching consequences it had on our nation's status as a world superpower. This being said, what is offered on this disc isn't the full version of the interview which is rather sad as this piece is really where we get to see the true, outspoken, and controversial Oliver Stone. Next, is the "Making of the World Trade Center" which is split into three legs - "Committing To The Story", "Shooting In New York and LA", and "Closing Wounds". As the titles above suggest this rather long documentary chronicles the painful process of putting the entire film together. There is probably a lot of controversial info here (some quite touchy comments as well) addressing what has been on the minds of many who disagreed with the creation of World Trade Center. I disagree with the majority of the observations and am firmly convinced that Oliver Stone's film came at the right time with the right, non-preachy, message. I encourage you to see this piece as it offers multiple points of views that should assist you in understanding why Oliver Stone's intentions were questioned by some high-ranking officials. Finally, this disc also offers the original theatrical trailer World Trade Center, a selection of TV Spots, as well as a gallery of stills.

World Trade Center Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It is probably politically incorrect to state that I liked Oliver Stone's World Trade Center. Yet, I share the opinion that this is a perfect film. It is bold, honest, and painfully realistic. When I first saw it at my local theater I could not stop crying...and I know I was not the only one. I have since seen World Trade Center three times. Suffice to say, I still get tears in my eyes when Nicholas Cage's body is carried out of ground zero and firefighters and rescue workers rush to shake his hand. To those of you who are yet to acquire this film: I strongly encourage you to consider a purchase. The disc is of excellent quality with some of the most elaborate and meaningful extras we've seen offered on Blu-ray thus far. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.