9/11

Apparently, it took over six production entities to put this THING together.

It's horrendous on every level. Script, production, performances. It looks extremely cheap. Why were these actors willing to be attached to such a sub-par film?

In the opening shot, they show a building that didn't even exist in 2001. When Whoopi is seen "walking down the street toward the towers," it is one of the worst green screen shots imaginable.

Terrible acting. Even the extras are distracting.

The lighting is inept.

Based on a play, and it is obvious. Almost TWENTY listed "producers," which means that most of them financed the film. The credits for almost everyone in the crew consist mainly of "shorts," and garbage films.

Bad, bad, bad, bad, BAD.

9/11 is based on Patrick James Carson's play Elevator. It is a low budget film about five people trapped in an elevator in the north tower of the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001.

I still remember a work colleague in Britain telling me what happened during that day. The way he described it I was not sure whether he was joking or not or whether the whole thing was just incredulous. I tried to go on the BBC news website and it took ages for it to download the headline page because of the volume of the net traffic.

Charlie Sheen and Gina Gershon are a couple on the verge of divorce. He is a billionaire, the lift they use suddenly stops. Luis Guzman plays a worker in the lift who contacts Whoopie Goldberg who works in the maintenance room.

The five people in the elevator are initially unaware as to what has happened but slowly they become aware especially via Goldberg what is happening all around them and they need to get out of the elevator quickly.

The film does look a bit cheap and quickly shot but the actors give passionate and earnest performances, especially as it dawns on them as to the peril they are in and something very serious has taken place.

Even the audience would fear the worse for these five people and that they make not make it out alive.

The film does draw you in and rather captivates you as it goes along even though at times you also feel the film is manipulative. I can understand why the movie was accused of bad taste because of its release date near the date of the disaster.

Since the opening scene you get a taste of the absolute mediocrity that follows for the rest of the film. There's so much wrong with it that I really don't even know where to start, but the first apparent serious problem seems to be the casting choice, and that's what probably made this movie fail in such disastrous proportions. This film needs to be shown in acting school as an example for how NOT to act, and I'm honestly very surprised that Whoopi Goldberg got herself involved in such an amateurish project, as there's a big difference between supporting a cause and agreeing to be part of a mediocre production. All the performances were terrible, but Sheen's acting in particular is so laughably bad that by the end of the movie I felt truly embarrassed for him. The script is extremely weak and lame - the dialogue between some of the characters is stupid and totally unnecessary in moments of tension that are supposed to be serious. The so called "comic relief" fails miserably and it clearly makes the scenes cringy and awkward for the actors themselves. The characters are so unlikable and annoying that at some point you actually stop caring about them, and when you have such a limited acting cast and this situation occurs you know the movie is in serious trouble. Generic camerawork and choppy editing makes the technical aspect of the production seem boring and unattractive. The overall tone of the movie is very confusing, as sometimes it feels like a low-budget horror film and other times it has the comedic vibe of a parody. All in all this has to be one of the absolute worst films of 2017.

9/11 is a poignant and heartfelt film that pays tribute to the courage and resilience displayed during one of the darkest moments in American history. Directed by Martin Guigui, this powerful drama delicately explores the human stories behind the tragic events of September 11, 2001, without exploiting the immense pain and loss suffered by countless individuals.

The film centers around a group of strangers who find themselves trapped together in an elevator within the World Trade Center's North Tower on that fateful day. As they grapple with their fears and confront the harsh reality unfolding around them, their individual backgrounds, beliefs, and personal struggles are revealed. Through their interactions and shared experiences, the film beautifully captures the strength of the human spirit and the capacity for compassion and unity in the face of adversity.

The performances in 9/11 are exceptional, with a talented ensemble cast that includes Charlie Sheen, Gina Gershon, and Luis Guzmán. Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their respective roles, portraying characters who are flawed, vulnerable, and ultimately relatable. Their performances serve as a reminder of the countless real-life heroes who emerged from the tragedy, displaying extraordinary acts of bravery and selflessness.

Director Martin Guigui demonstrates great sensitivity in his approach to the subject matter. With a restrained and respectful tone, he allows the emotional weight of the story to unfold organically, capturing both the horror of the events and the triumph of the human spirit. The film avoids sensationalism and instead focuses on the universal themes of love, loss, and the indomitable strength that can emerge from even the most devastating circumstances.

While 9/11 may not offer groundbreaking storytelling, its true power lies in its ability to honor the memory of those who lost their lives and to recognize the heroism displayed by ordinary people during a time of immense tragedy. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity, compassion, and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.

In conclusion, 9/11 is a deeply moving and respectful tribute to the victims and survivors of the September 11 attacks. With its heartfelt performances, restrained direction, and powerful storytelling, it serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit and the capacity for hope even in the darkest of times.

Well, one thing does linger in the mind after having seen this 2017 movie titled "9/11", and that is if this movie was necessary? I mean, did we really need another movie based on those tragic events?

And of course the answer to that is individual. Some will say yes, some will say no, and some will be indifferent. I sat down to watch the movie in terms of it being a movie meant for entertainment purposes. So on that account, then I must say that I didn't really feel that "9/11" was a movie that was necessary. But hey, it was here and available, so of course I sat down to watch it.

Writers Martin Guigui and Steven James Golebiowski came up with a semi-adequate storyline and script. Sure, the movie was watchable, but it wasn't exactly an overly thrilling or all that interesting storyline. And it was a fairly predictable one at that, just to add insult to injury.

While the movie does have some pretty interesting names on the cast list, with the likes of Charlie Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg, Luis Guzmán and Bruce Davison, it just wasn't a movie that boasted particularly over-the-top impressive acting performances. It felt like people were running on auto-pilot here for the most of the time.

"9/11" is a movie that I will not be returning to watch a second time. First of all, the storyline just doesn't have the contents to support more than a single viewing. But the movie also just feels wholly and very unnecessary. I suppose having a mental picture of the horrors that took place on that day is better than something like this 2017 movie titled "9/11".

If you watch "9/11" because you are interesting in the historical aspects of that horrible tragedy, then believe me when I say that "9/11" is not going to be parting with any such historical facts on the screen.

"9/11" - if you take out the fact that it is based on a real life tragedy - is essentially just another run-of-the-mill people get stuck inside an elevator during some type of catastrophe movie. Sad to say so, but that is the truth.

Sure, I can respect and honor the dedication to the first responders and the victims of the tragedy, but this movie just didn't do much of anything aside from cashing in on a tragedy in order to make a buck.

All in all, "9/11" is a watchable movie, but one that failed to leave a lasting impression. And I doubt that I will be remembering this movie a year down the line from now. My rating of director Martin Guigui's 2017 movie lands on a very mediocre five out of ten stars.