Jason Apuzzo of Libertas reviews Oliver Stone's new World Trade Center:

Let me say finally that some conservatives have been saying exceedingly silly things about this film. They’ve implied it’s ‘right wing,’ that it’s something like John Wayne’s Back to Bataan or Flying Tigers, or something. It isn’t. Stone and Parmount’s film is much too cautious and measured in what it’s saying to be compared with the sort of films Hollywood was making in the 1940’s. This isn’t a war film, it’s a rescue film. And let’s be honest: as glad as I am Stone made the film, it’s not like anyone ever doubted the bravery of the police or firemen in the first place.

So to fellow conservatives I say: please be realistic about this. Don’t expect Oliver Stone to be directing Rumsfeld: A Hero’s Road to Bagdad anytime soon. He will not be lecturing at The Heritage Foundation, nor guest-hosting for O’Reilly. Please understand what you’re dealing with here: Oliver Stone is a veteran, and he’s made a film respectful toward those who serve their country in times of need. That’s all.

And perhaps, given the present climate in Hollywood, that’s a great deal.

Update: James Pinkerton writes that "'World Trade Center' takes an enormous subject and makes it seem small". And he notes that all of the recent efforts by the film's publicity team to court conservative pundits may have just gone up in smoke:

On Monday, after months of being good, Oliver Stone fell off the de-politicized wagon. USA Today's Anthony Breznican, clearly irked at Stone's political closed-mouthedness, did his best to tempt Stone to take a swig of the ol' 200 proof conspiracy juice. Phrases that crept into Breznican's article -- "the apolitical surface of the film has earned Stone unlikely support from right-wing pundits" -- were a clear signal that the reporter was trying to "out" the director.

When Breznican asked Stone how he could avoid the political implications of 9-11, Stone did his best, at least for awhile to follow his apolitical mantra: "That's another issue beyond the confines of this film," adding that the movie is "just about those two men and women and that Marine and what they did that day with the rescue team."

But finally, Breznican got his way, asking Stone if the movie is an endorsement, therefore, of President Bush. Stone took the bait: "Bush makes Nixon look like St. Augustine," the filmmaker answered, recalling the saint best known for his detailed confessions. "At least Nixon had some intelligence and a conscience .... Bush is The Manchurian Candidate." Concludes Breznican, having finally gotten his quarry to say what he really thinks of Bush: "Stone is not a fan."

It will be interesting to see what happens now, with the film opening tomorrow. Every interviewer is going to want Stone to explain/expand his comments to Breznican. And if that happens, all the hard p.r. work to get the film positioned as centrist will go up in the smoke of Stone's vaporous politics.