My rating: a warm-hearted movie worth renting, but lacking some depth

(Guest review by Karen, special friend and real sweetheart)

As a guest reviewer that probably no one knows, I must start this off with a disclaimer: I am a HUGE fan of Tom Hanks. Actually, it is my eventual goal to own all the movies in his filmography, so regardless of my thoughts on this movie, I will probably own it someday.

Now, on to The Terminal. I went into this movie expecting to really like it. The combination of my favorite actor, an amazing director, an actress who I think is one of the most beautiful ones out there (and for the fellows, yes, she's still lovely semi-close up - I saw her when she was filming The Haunting) - what more could I wish for? Well, a good suspense plot with some nail-biting moments and an action scene or two, but that's off topic. Anyway, The Terminal is the story of Viktor Navorski (Hanks), who hails from the country of Krakosia (Ok, I can't spell it right!). He is stranded in JFK Airport after a coup in his country occurs, making his passport invalid. He can't go into the US, but can't go home, either. So he's stuck.

Hanks has shown that he can excel at two things that are essential for his character in this movie: 1) Carry a storyline using minimal dialogue (seen Castaway, anyone?) and 2) Pull off a character that is both endearing to the other characters as well as the audience. He accomplishes both in this movie. You must suspend your belief for some of the far-stretching details of the movie (such as how Viktor manages to survive off ketchup packets and mustard for a while, the strange conclusion to a romance between two minor characters (I won't give it away but it is a bit much), and the construction feat Viktor pulls off apparently without anyone noticing). But despite the stretches, I found myself caring for the bumbling, warm-hearted Viktor and his airport employee friends.

Catherine-Zeta Jones plays a ditsy (yet apparently very well-read as much as she knows about Napoleon) flight attendant caught up in some poor relationships who strikes up a friendship with Viktor. Her character is sweet in a way, yet the flighty behavior (haha, no pun intended) got on my nerves and I must say I wasn't really rooting for her to fall in love with Viktor or anything.

Stanley Tucci does a good job playing the part of the airport's homeland security guy. His part is the necessary antagonist, and a bit predictable in how he handles Viktor's presence. He pulls off the personality perfectly. It seems to be the writing that's at fault for the two-dimensional nature of his and Jones' characters.

The airport sidekicks are each endearing in their own way and provide the companionship and support Viktor needs as well as some comic relief. They help to show how Viktor is a kind-hearted man all around. Their strong presence in the plot help to keep the story interesting, since hey, how much can a guy stranded in an airport do day after day?

Overall, I must say I liked the movie, but was not overly impressed. I suppose I wanted more depth. But in an age where movies seem to be more and more depressing, violent, filled with sex and language, I must say that watching this movie was a breath of fresh air - it showed a fun-loving innocence to the characters, and didn't dwell on some of the negative circumstances in their lives. Worth seeing? Yes. Worth mentioning as one of the best movies of all time? No. Will it become part of my Tom Hanks movie collection? Of course!