So this is clearly a "love it" or "hate it" movie based on the comments...personally I fall into the "love it" category. The simplicity of this movie was so sweet and different in a world of CGI and superheroes (though I get that it was made about 8 years ago, I only just watched it for the first time). An honest, charismatic, intelligent man, Viktor Navorski falls in "the crack" of the national security system. Instead of doing what everyone else usually does and just leaving the airport and taking their chances as an illegal immigrant, he does what he does best-he waits. His adventures along the way only add to his charm, and the people he meets cannot help but be drawn to him because he is so likable. To quote Roger Ebert, "Navorski is a man unlike any Dixon (the customs and immigration official played by Stanley Tucci) has ever encountered - a man who is exactly who he seems to be and claims to be. He has no guile, no hidden motives, no suspicion of others." What a beautiful character. So simple and innocent and good. It is no wonder that so many employees of the airport root for him to actually accomplish what he came to do in New York. So many laughs, what a satisfying movie :)
What I call a "Sunday afternoon movie". This formula for movies was already repeated so many times that this looks like numerous other Hollywood movie... It's not a bad movie but also not a good movie. Completely average.
For me it's not a "love it or hate it" movie. It's sweet and entertaining, not among films I want to watch again and again, but nevertheless one I enjoyed watching the first time.
Tom Hanks is good as always; I also loved Zoe Saldana and Diego Luna. Nice!
Castaway in an airport, The Terminal has the gloss and feels of most any Stephen Spielberg movie, but what is it trying to say? Maybe it's an immigrant's story, with the terminal acting as a micro-cosm of America where the opportunities (the New York that's just out of reach) are curtailed by The Man. I can just about see it if I squint, but the character has no wish to settle in America, and the film is much more interested in charming shenanigans and a dead end romcom subplot to really get us there without work. As for the buraucratic nightmare represented by cartoon villain Stanley Tucci, well, even he sort of gives up at the end, like he realizes his motivation isn't particularly believable. For science fiction nerds, this does offer Zoe Saldana playing a Trekkie being courted by Rogue One's Diego Luna, all before they became stars in Star franchises. But while ultimately watchable, The Terminal fails to complete a connection, even after it tardily brings out its "waiting" theme, ironic as that seems.
Reminded me of those early 90s movies.. like home alone and such. 9 year old me would have enjoyed it. Adult me had a bit of a harder time getting into it.
I can't believe Spielberg read this script and thought "I have to make this movie". Bursting with implausibility, sentimentality, casual racism and flat humour, as well as being a two hour advert for Burger King. It's terminal all right. An absolute turd.
Spielberg trying to be Nora Ephron?
A really terrible movie. Hanks is just so over the top and he's such a good actor, it's hard to watch even just for that.
The sitcom humor, the cliches, the stereotypes and the by-the-number romantic plot make it a real snoozer.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 22
jwagoner0507
So this is clearly a "love it" or "hate it" movie based on the comments...personally I fall into the "love it" category. The simplicity of this movie was so sweet and different in a world of CGI and superheroes (though I get that it was made about 8 years ago, I only just watched it for the first time). An honest, charismatic, intelligent man, Viktor Navorski falls in "the crack" of the national security system. Instead of doing what everyone else usually does and just leaving the airport and taking their chances as an illegal immigrant, he does what he does best-he waits. His adventures along the way only add to his charm, and the people he meets cannot help but be drawn to him because he is so likable. To quote Roger Ebert, "Navorski is a man unlike any Dixon (the customs and immigration official played by Stanley Tucci) has ever encountered - a man who is exactly who he seems to be and claims to be. He has no guile, no hidden motives, no suspicion of others." What a beautiful character. So simple and innocent and good. It is no wonder that so many employees of the airport root for him to actually accomplish what he came to do in New York. So many laughs, what a satisfying movie :)devc
What I call a "Sunday afternoon movie". This formula for movies was already repeated so many times that this looks like numerous other Hollywood movie... It's not a bad movie but also not a good movie. Completely average.IreneAdler
For me it's not a "love it or hate it" movie. It's sweet and entertaining, not among films I want to watch again and again, but nevertheless one I enjoyed watching the first time.Tom Hanks is good as always; I also loved Zoe Saldana and Diego Luna. Nice!
Siskoid
Castaway in an airport, The Terminal has the gloss and feels of most any Stephen Spielberg movie, but what is it trying to say? Maybe it's an immigrant's story, with the terminal acting as a micro-cosm of America where the opportunities (the New York that's just out of reach) are curtailed by The Man. I can just about see it if I squint, but the character has no wish to settle in America, and the film is much more interested in charming shenanigans and a dead end romcom subplot to really get us there without work. As for the buraucratic nightmare represented by cartoon villain Stanley Tucci, well, even he sort of gives up at the end, like he realizes his motivation isn't particularly believable. For science fiction nerds, this does offer Zoe Saldana playing a Trekkie being courted by Rogue One's Diego Luna, all before they became stars in Star franchises. But while ultimately watchable, The Terminal fails to complete a connection, even after it tardily brings out its "waiting" theme, ironic as that seems.samfenn
Not bad, not great. Enjoyable.bonnedejour
love it. tom hanks is really good.vale420
maluquitaWargasm
Reminded me of those early 90s movies.. like home alone and such. 9 year old me would have enjoyed it. Adult me had a bit of a harder time getting into it.dombrewer
I can't believe Spielberg read this script and thought "I have to make this movie". Bursting with implausibility, sentimentality, casual racism and flat humour, as well as being a two hour advert for Burger King. It's terminal all right. An absolute turd.few visible scars
Shudder. Another tick I feel ashamed to admit to.greenhorg
Plot summary: Homeless foreigner unsuccessfully propositions a beautiful woman.BadFluffy
Spielberg trying to be Nora Ephron?A really terrible movie. Hanks is just so over the top and he's such a good actor, it's hard to watch even just for that.
The sitcom humor, the cliches, the stereotypes and the by-the-number romantic plot make it a real snoozer.
Daaanaaa
Underrated.Egil
Underrated indeed. A very warm movie.Vess
Tom Hanks speaks Bulgarian! Cool! :)Showing items 1 – 15 of 22