I am a firefighter here in Fargo (now a student at NDSU also!) and the Forum brought myself and one of Moorhead's firefighters to the movie on opening day.
I personally hate Nick Cage (I met him in San Francisco and he had a horrible personallity, even though he bought me and my buddies a pitcher of beer), and I am not a huge fan of Oliver Stone even though he has made a few good movies. So I went in thinking this movie would be crap.
But I was actually suprised how well done it was overall. You have to remember that this is a full on true story. Everything they could do according to the people that were there was factual. They had survivors on set and coaching characters full time.
I felt it was as true a depiction as they could make it and I just wish it would have came out 3 years ago.
So many people today forget their own reactions and feelings that day and the following months. So many people forget their own comments and ideas of what this country should do right after that event. So many people forget the thousands of innocent people that fell that day just because they were at work, on a flight, or risking life and limb to help others.
Having the job I have probably helps me remember a lot more than people not connected in someway. But I know I will never, and can never forget the 343 brothers that went in and fell doing something they loved. Helping others.
So well done to the cast and crew that made this film. And I have to admit I really enjoyed seeing Nick Cage trapped under rubble for over an hour....
Just to say how intense the tower collapse scene was, there was a man in the theater with us who was hyperventelating after they went down and the screen went black... Now that is intense.