So this is clearly a "love it" or "hate it" movie based on the comments...personally I fall into the "love it" category. The simplicity of this movie was so sweet and different in a world of CGI and superheroes (though I get that it was made about 8 years ago, I only just watched it for the first time). An honest, charismatic, intelligent man, Viktor Navorski falls in "the crack" of the national security system. Instead of doing what everyone else usually does and just leaving the airport and taking their chances as an illegal immigrant, he does what he does best-he waits. His adventures along the way only add to his charm, and the people he meets cannot help but be drawn to him because he is so likable. To quote Roger Ebert, "Navorski is a man unlike any Dixon (the customs and immigration official played by Stanley Tucci) has ever encountered - a man who is exactly who he seems to be and claims to be. He has no guile, no hidden motives, no suspicion of others." What a beautiful character. So simple and innocent and good. It is no wonder that so many employees of the airport root for him to actually accomplish what he came to do in New York. So many laughs, what a satisfying movie :)

What I call a "Sunday afternoon movie". This formula for movies was already repeated so many times that this looks like numerous other Hollywood movie... It's not a bad movie but also not a good movie. Completely average.

I can't believe Spielberg read this script and thought "I have to make this movie". Bursting with implausibility, sentimentality, casual racism and flat humour, as well as being a two hour advert for Burger King. It's terminal all right. An absolute turd.