10 Famous Directors Who Completely Changed Style For One Movie

Oliver Stone is no stranger to politically-minded thrillers with a basis in real world events, so at first glance, making a movie about the September 11th terrorist attacks seems right up his alley.

But unlike JFK or Nixon, movies that tackle the seedier elements of human nature while intertwining several threads of disparate conspiracy theories, World Trade Center plays more like a vague and oddly respectful tribute. It would be difficult to even point out what Stone's ideology on the matter is.

It's almost like he was too afraid to make any real statement about the tragedy, so instead he settles on making a toned-down disaster movie. This movie could have been about anyone trapped under any ol' building's debris, as there's not much in the film that's tethered to the specific emotions of this attack.

Which is fine. The movie still offers a few moments of genuine tension and anxiety, though it feels a bit like a cheap cash-in given the title and Stone's history with political dramas.