World Trade Center (**1/2)

Hard to believe they could make a feel-good film out of the events surrounding 9/11 but darn it if Oliver Stone and company don't succeed in doing just that. This is polished, professional mainstream filmmaking. The performances are all top-notch, especially Maggie Gyllenhaal's, and the story is one that deserves to be told. Having said that though, this is "safe" filmmaking. If you really want to be blown away by a 9/11 picture, go see the amazing United 93. Whereas World Trade Center is overly sentimental at times and easy on its audience, United 93 pulls no punches and is truly spectacular, groundbreaking cinema. Is it fair to compare the two? Not really. World Trade Center is the movie for those who say it's too soon for a movie about 9/11. If it gets them to abandon that silly notion, then all the more power to it.