United 93 got some press when it came out, spurning everyone to ask, “It is too soon?” Critics almost universally praised it for its sensitive handling of the issue and not taking any sides, just simply telling the story. Next week, World Trade Center is due out and is bound to evoke some of the same responses. But it’s going to suck and should never hit the theatres. There are two reasons why.
Nicolas Cage and Kirsten Dunst.
Yes, I think they’re both terribly annoying actors, but the reason their involvement will kill this movie is their fame. United 93 did well with critics because it didn’t use any well-known actors. Thus, it felt less “Hollywood” and more like everyday people you’d sit with on a plane. But with WTC, you’ve got the slick production with famous actors and–at least it seems this way from the trailers–a painfully hokey script. I don’t care how much it’s base on reality — it’s not going to feel like it.
So, Hollywood, let’s cool it with the 9/11-related movies unless you can keep it respectful and keep it from feeling like a big budget production where you spent more time trying to secure a Name Actor than the nuances of the script.
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