Looking at the movie poster for The Terminal reminds me another Tom Hanks movie. Hanks alone on a plain white background is very reminiscent of the poster for the movie Forrest Gump. I must say though, with a smile in my heart that his new movie is just as good as his earlier masterpiece, although in a slightly more humorous vein.
Hanks plays Victor Narvarski, a man from the country of Karchozia who, while in mid-flight to New York City, falls into a “crack”. A civil war back home leads to him being stranded in JFK International with an invalid passport and visa. Unable to leave the international transit terminal, he waits. However, his determination begins to affect those who work at the airport, including Catherine-Zeta Jones, who plays flight attendant, Amelia Warren.
This is a very funny movie. The script is amazingly well-written and Steven Spielberg does a beautiful job of directing it with a light-hearted, whimsical feel. The film’s presentation is more important though because of the serious themes at play within the film. The movie in its basic form is about one simple man changing the lives of others much like Forrest Gump does in his movie. Its comedy comes in Narvarski’s indomitable determination. Combining his stubbornness with a group of innocent, yet flawed characters who sub-consciously see him as a savior provides a light, natural humor from deep, realistic characters.
And that is this movie’s greatest asset. The characters are real. All of them are simple people who only want they best, despite their flaws. Tom Hanks delivers a fine performance as the confused foreigner, who finds a way to live in the direst of circumstances. Catherine-Zeta, as the lonely stewardess, performs well in her scenes also. Her chemistry with Hanks is what is important to the story, and it helps move one of the various sub-plots along very efficiently. The rest of the supporting cast is superb. All of them seemed to know that this is Tom Hanks’ movie, and none of them seemed to try and out-do him. They support him through, just as their characters support Narvarski.
As an adult comedy, The Terminal is a great movie. Spielberg provides a natural look at an unnatural situation, and the final outcome is very touching comedy with plenty of heart. Hanks just keeps getting better, and this movie is definitely one any of his fans should go see.
3 ½ OUT OF FOUR STARS.
OVERALL SUMMARY- I honestly feel that is going to be the Forrest Gump for this decade. I passed up Dodgeball to see this one, and frankly I’m glad I did.
Hanks plays Victor Narvarski, a man from the country of Karchozia who, while in mid-flight to New York City, falls into a “crack”. A civil war back home leads to him being stranded in JFK International with an invalid passport and visa. Unable to leave the international transit terminal, he waits. However, his determination begins to affect those who work at the airport, including Catherine-Zeta Jones, who plays flight attendant, Amelia Warren.
This is a very funny movie. The script is amazingly well-written and Steven Spielberg does a beautiful job of directing it with a light-hearted, whimsical feel. The film’s presentation is more important though because of the serious themes at play within the film. The movie in its basic form is about one simple man changing the lives of others much like Forrest Gump does in his movie. Its comedy comes in Narvarski’s indomitable determination. Combining his stubbornness with a group of innocent, yet flawed characters who sub-consciously see him as a savior provides a light, natural humor from deep, realistic characters.
And that is this movie’s greatest asset. The characters are real. All of them are simple people who only want they best, despite their flaws. Tom Hanks delivers a fine performance as the confused foreigner, who finds a way to live in the direst of circumstances. Catherine-Zeta, as the lonely stewardess, performs well in her scenes also. Her chemistry with Hanks is what is important to the story, and it helps move one of the various sub-plots along very efficiently. The rest of the supporting cast is superb. All of them seemed to know that this is Tom Hanks’ movie, and none of them seemed to try and out-do him. They support him through, just as their characters support Narvarski.
As an adult comedy, The Terminal is a great movie. Spielberg provides a natural look at an unnatural situation, and the final outcome is very touching comedy with plenty of heart. Hanks just keeps getting better, and this movie is definitely one any of his fans should go see.
3 ½ OUT OF FOUR STARS.
OVERALL SUMMARY- I honestly feel that is going to be the Forrest Gump for this decade. I passed up Dodgeball to see this one, and frankly I’m glad I did.
