Film Review #020 - The Terminal (2004)


The Terminal (2004) is a movie directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Andrew Niccol and Sacha Gervasi. The movie is about Viktor Navorski (cast as Tom Hanks), a man from Bulgaria. He gets stuck at JFK International Airport in New York City because his country had a civil war and his passport is no longer valid.

The cinematography in The Terminal reminds me of Scorsese's style, which I really like. The camera work is amazing and it has many great camera shots that have so much depth, e.g., medium close-ups, wide shots, full shots, making more dynamic scenes.


The Terminal is an engaging story with a lot of character development. Tom Hanks (Viktor) and Stanley Tucci (Dixon) both give outstanding performances, expertly bringing their characters to life. Hanks, in particular, brings a remarkable depth to the role, successfully balancing comedic and emotional elements. A notable mention is the character of Dixon, portrayed as someone who knows everything about.


I found the movie’s storytelling particularly very rich and impressive. This made the movie really stand out and it is a big advantage for the movie. The script is filled with lots of humor, witty dialogues, clever puns, making the experience both intellectually stimulating and entertaining to have a great laugh.


I didn't have many criticisms of The Terminal, but I was upset by the twist in the movie that changed how I saw the main character's goals and the end of his journey. It made me think differently about what the movie was trying to say.


In summary, The Terminal by Steven Spielberg is a cinematic gem with its superb character development, engaging story, and outstanding cinematography. 


Rating: 9/10

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