It was late last night that sat down to watch ”World Trade Centre”, directed by Oliver Stone and starring Nicholas Cage. I can’t remember if I’ve watched a better film in 2007, ‘cause this one made a mark upon my soul that won’t come off easily. I expected a cheesy, American film which celebrates its heroes ‘till you want to puke. There’s been made more than the fair share of those, but that description doesn’t exactly fit Oliver Stone’s newest masterpiece. The imagery was probably some of the strongest I have ever seen and it really, really made you feel for the characters. Don’t dismiss this film as American rubbish – it was far from it.

My TV doesn’t really have the world’s best audio equipment and the connection between the DVD player and the TV has been on and off for the last couple o’ months. It’s one of those things that you promise to mend later, but end up putting off indefinitely. Half past eleven yesterday evening enough had become enough and a search party for a new scart-cabel was sent (consisting of yours truly). After some unnecessary, but heartfelt cursing, I was ready to enjoy WTC. Or… enjoy is not the correct adjective for the occasion, “experience” is.

The film starts early morning on the September11th, 2001. The cop, Jimeno, has just arrived at work and started his patrol rounds with his partner, Dominic. All is well in New York, ’till he sees a great shadow pass over him and seconds later a chrashing boom ring coming from ground Zero. Jimeno is part of the task force named “first-responders” and he hurries down to the site with the rest of the force. He and his “Sarge”, played by The Cage’r, decides to go up the tower number 1 (they only have confirmation at that point that one tower has been hit), but in their hunt for oxygen tanks, something devastating happens. The tower’s collapse, and with them collapses the underground passageways between them. Jimeno and his Sarge manages to throw themselves into the elevator shaft (’cause that’s the strongest part of the building) and survives the catastrophe, buried 20 feet and more into the rubble.

From there on the story revolves around the lives and families of Jimeno and his Sarge. We the bravery of the rescue-men, the utter, utter hell that was 9/11. You hear the term “heartfelt” being used about every goddamn romantic comedy and what not, but they don’t even compare to the emotions that WTC managed to convey. I actually cried for the families and the two survivors several times, and people: I don’t cry much. I can’t even remember the last time that happened to me, so this was just heartbreakingly delightful.

Nevermore will I criticize Americans or think that they are overreacting. I loved this film, but not in the way that will make me want to watch it again. It’s a real masterpiece and it deserves to be watched. 6/6, and I recommend it.

*Note: I’ve changed my grading-scale for films to the more conventional and popular “/6″-scale. The reasons for this are simple: It gives me the opportunity to hand out top grades, which I rarely do when I’m operating with a /10-scale, and I find it easier to set the grade as well. I guess I’m a little bit shallow that way :)