The Terminal [DVD] (2004)

Brilliant movie

Never heard oif this film. Noticed Tom Hanks was staring, so watched and am so glad that I did. A non discript plot line, but the acting the direction. the filming made this film magical. This IS a SUPERB movie and I would urge anyone to watch it. Should have won more awards. BRILLIANT

Dvd arrived promptly played well and overall in great condition

During a stop over at JFK Airport, Viktor Navorski finds that his homeland of Krakozhia has erupted into chaos and a military coup has taken place. This puts him bureaucratic purgatory because his passport is no longer valid, meaning he can't get home until Krakozhia's new government is officially ratified. Forced to spend his immediate future solely in the confines of the airport, Viktor shows tremendous spirit to survive in his totally alien surroundings.The Terminal is loosely based on the case of an Iranian gentleman who was trapped in a French airport for almost ten years. Given the complete Hollywood treatment, The Terminal just manages to keep on the good side of good by fusing its fabled heart with a triumph of the will story line. Viktor {Tom Hanks perfectly cast} must use all his wits just to survive in this unique situation, be it a resourceful way of getting cash, a stoic drive to learn the English language from a simple travel guide, or making friends with an oddball assortment of airport personal, Viktor engages us as he goes about his merry way. The scenarios that are thrown up of course make for many a laugh, more so given that the said airport personal, played by Barry Shabaka Henley, Kumar Pallana and Diego Luna, are proper residents of America, but are actually equally as alien to the folk on the street as Viktor is!In amongst the frivolity {which is great and very rewarding}, there's a question of how people treat people who are not English speaking? Perhaps director Stephen Spielberg wanted to make a point here about folk presuming that those alien to the language one speaks are cretins? Annoyances getting in the way of normality? Maybe, perhaps. It's certainly the impression I got from watching it on my latest revisit. Sadly the fun and serious angle is let down by the good old romantic strand that is wedged into a film that didn't need it. For sure Catherine Zeta Jones is beautiful, but her character is weak and adds nothing to the film's basic structure. In fact it feels out of place, in the wrong airport perhaps? On the major plus side we have a wonderful performance from Stanley Tucci as airport commandant Frank Dixon, Dixon is a complete jobs worth, a stickler for the rules and views Navorski as a threat to the smooth running of his airport. If we discount the pitch perfect show from Hanks? Then Tucci most definitely takes the acting honours on show.It's a very enjoyable film that has a couple of underlying veins of seriousness, it's just a shame about the tagged on romance forcing it out into pointless treacle territory. 7/10

Good film

Fascinating storyline. Tom Hanks, as usual, engages with his character and makes it all believable. Does he get the girl? Watch and see...

Good humour underlies this Stephen Spielberg film, produced by Walter Parkes and Laurie Macdonald. Tom Hanks teams up with Spielberg for the third time, to play Viktor Navarski, from a fictional Eastern European country Krakozhia. On his arrival at New York he finds himself a stateless person without a valid passport or visa, because during his flight the government has been replaced by rebels that the USA is not able to diplomatically recognise. In view of events in Tunisia and Egypt at the present this idea does not seem so improbable, but this is not about diplomatic relations, but about characters at a Terminal, each working out their own problems, and how they affect each other.Catherine Zeta Jones is a joy to watch as usual, teaming up with Spielberg for the second time, to play Amelia Warren, a vivacious Air Hostess, 39 years old, seeking a more solid relationship with her boyfriend. She befriends Viktor on her way in and out of the terminal, as he is not allowed to leave, but has to live at at disused gate being refurbished, and after finding a job with the builders, he produces a wall sized mosaic with a fountain to impress her.Unwittingly as he becomes 'Americanised' Victor becomes the vehicle for other peoples hopes, as a matchmaker for kitchen staff Enrico (Diego Luna) and Emigation officer Jones (Zoe Saldana),and as interpreter for Customs Chief Frank Dixon (Stanley Tucci), and as an ally to floor staff Guptar (Kumpar Palloma)and Mulroy (Chi McBride). Security officer Thurman (Barry Shabaka Henley) has to keep a patient and sympathetic eye on Viktor, until he is able to escape and complete the sole purpose of his visit-to obtain the autograph of a Jazz Musician to complete his desceased father's wishes.Perhaps one of the most amazing features of this very innovative film, is that a real Terminal replica was built in a aeroplane Hangar near Los Angeles, with authentic shops and cafes, sponsored by the various companies. It seems there are no boundaries through which Art will travel to imitate life, or is it the old cliche that Art is life?

NOT VERY BELIEVABLE