NEW IN THEATERS: United 93
UNITED 93 (2006)
My Rating: ***** (out of *****)
Starring: Peter Hermann, David Alan Basche, Christian Clemenson, Ben Sliney, James Fox, Jamie Harding, Omar Berdouni, Tobin Miller, Shawna Fox, Leigh Zimmerman
Director: Paul Greengrass
My Review:
Depending upon your age, you may remember various formative events in the history of the world. Whether it’s World War II, Apollo 11, the invention of television, the Vietnam War, the toppling of the Berlin Wall, or even the Gulf War, each of us can recall different defining moments in world affairs that dramatically impacted our lives and perspectives forever. 9/11 stands apart from these events in a very particular way: we can all remember that fateful September day. Just five short years ago, life in the U.S., and in many other parts of the world, changed forever.
A great deal of apprehension and controversy comes with the release of United 93, the first major motion picture (excepting A&E’s acclaimed television drama Flight 93 – review coming soon to this site) to tackle the dark subject of September 11, 2001 in a non-documentary or non-propagandist fashion. As it turns out, United 93 is not only the first of its kind, but is also, most likely, the best.
Director Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday, The Bourne Supremacy) should receive every kind of award out there for his magnificent approach to the incidents surrounding the only hijacked plane on 9/11 that did not reach its intended target. He takes some of the most sensitive and delicate subject matter imaginable and, rather than following a political, melodramatic, action-oriented, or otherwise manipulative tack, simply tells the story. Though the film surely speculates regarding certain incidents aboard the doomed aircraft, its unconfirmed conclusions are consistent with factual findings and are not difficult to believe. By essentially telling this aspect of 9/11 like it was, Greengrass puts us right back in the middle of it all – a place we hate but simply can’t escape, a place we must always remember if we are to find hope and motivation for a better future.
From its opening moments - which chillingly contrast the terrorists’ preparation with the mundane morning routines of flight attendants, passengers, pilots, and air traffic control crews getting ready for another day – United 93 is drenched in an almost suffocating sense of dread. In viewing this film, my stomach was in knots, my whole body stiff with tension, and my hand gripped my wife’s for almost the entire duration of the experience. Brilliantly presented in real time, the events of the film unfold to much the same effect as they did that day, producing shock, bewilderment, disbelief, confusion, chaos, horror, and despair. As film audiences five years later, however, we possess the perspective of knowing every awful thing that’s coming before it arrives. As such, we now bear the weighty and ominous burden of foreknowledge.
The casting of unknown actors and persons who were involved in the day’s events (such as Ben Sliney and James Fox) is effective and ingenious. Using performers who could be any one of us, as well as people who were present for the occurrences they are depicting, Greengrass thankfully saves us from the high melodrama and distracting Hollywood personas that could have easily hindered the telling of this essential chapter in our nation’s history. The screenplay (penned by Greengrass) is similarly natural and realistic. In fact, it almost feels as if there is no prescribed action and dialogue, only real life unfolding before us. This fact is yet another example of the filmmaker’s masterful skill. The beautiful ring of authenticity created by these artistic choices actually serves to increase the emotional impact of the overall experience.
Ultimately, watching United 93 is like being punched in the gut… several times over. It is one of the most difficult and traumatic moviegoing experiences you are likely to have, but also, one of the most rewarding. From its depiction of the ground control teams, to the flight crews, to the passengers themselves, United 93 is about the astonishing will and ability of creation to survive. In the midst of unprecedented chaos and confusion, ground control has some 4000 airplanes out of the sky within a few short hours of the first sign of trouble. Though average folk like you and me, the humble crew and passengers of United 93 highlight humanity’s fierce and marvelous survival mechanism. But much more than this, they display a truly heroic courage, abandon, and selflessness, transforming from petrified and cowering victims to no-holds-barred warriors in the course of an hour. Their terror becomes their triumph as they, in their final moments, think of how they can possibly help, protect, or even save others. These people don’t ever surrender to terror. They fight it with everything they’ve got. United 93 - as the film’s stirring epilogue states - exists to honor these people. A more powerful and fitting memorial would be hard to conceive of.
My Rating: ***** (out of *****)
Starring: Peter Hermann, David Alan Basche, Christian Clemenson, Ben Sliney, James Fox, Jamie Harding, Omar Berdouni, Tobin Miller, Shawna Fox, Leigh Zimmerman
Director: Paul Greengrass
My Review:
Depending upon your age, you may remember various formative events in the history of the world. Whether it’s World War II, Apollo 11, the invention of television, the Vietnam War, the toppling of the Berlin Wall, or even the Gulf War, each of us can recall different defining moments in world affairs that dramatically impacted our lives and perspectives forever. 9/11 stands apart from these events in a very particular way: we can all remember that fateful September day. Just five short years ago, life in the U.S., and in many other parts of the world, changed forever.
A great deal of apprehension and controversy comes with the release of United 93, the first major motion picture (excepting A&E’s acclaimed television drama Flight 93 – review coming soon to this site) to tackle the dark subject of September 11, 2001 in a non-documentary or non-propagandist fashion. As it turns out, United 93 is not only the first of its kind, but is also, most likely, the best.
Director Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday, The Bourne Supremacy) should receive every kind of award out there for his magnificent approach to the incidents surrounding the only hijacked plane on 9/11 that did not reach its intended target. He takes some of the most sensitive and delicate subject matter imaginable and, rather than following a political, melodramatic, action-oriented, or otherwise manipulative tack, simply tells the story. Though the film surely speculates regarding certain incidents aboard the doomed aircraft, its unconfirmed conclusions are consistent with factual findings and are not difficult to believe. By essentially telling this aspect of 9/11 like it was, Greengrass puts us right back in the middle of it all – a place we hate but simply can’t escape, a place we must always remember if we are to find hope and motivation for a better future.
From its opening moments - which chillingly contrast the terrorists’ preparation with the mundane morning routines of flight attendants, passengers, pilots, and air traffic control crews getting ready for another day – United 93 is drenched in an almost suffocating sense of dread. In viewing this film, my stomach was in knots, my whole body stiff with tension, and my hand gripped my wife’s for almost the entire duration of the experience. Brilliantly presented in real time, the events of the film unfold to much the same effect as they did that day, producing shock, bewilderment, disbelief, confusion, chaos, horror, and despair. As film audiences five years later, however, we possess the perspective of knowing every awful thing that’s coming before it arrives. As such, we now bear the weighty and ominous burden of foreknowledge.
The casting of unknown actors and persons who were involved in the day’s events (such as Ben Sliney and James Fox) is effective and ingenious. Using performers who could be any one of us, as well as people who were present for the occurrences they are depicting, Greengrass thankfully saves us from the high melodrama and distracting Hollywood personas that could have easily hindered the telling of this essential chapter in our nation’s history. The screenplay (penned by Greengrass) is similarly natural and realistic. In fact, it almost feels as if there is no prescribed action and dialogue, only real life unfolding before us. This fact is yet another example of the filmmaker’s masterful skill. The beautiful ring of authenticity created by these artistic choices actually serves to increase the emotional impact of the overall experience.
Ultimately, watching United 93 is like being punched in the gut… several times over. It is one of the most difficult and traumatic moviegoing experiences you are likely to have, but also, one of the most rewarding. From its depiction of the ground control teams, to the flight crews, to the passengers themselves, United 93 is about the astonishing will and ability of creation to survive. In the midst of unprecedented chaos and confusion, ground control has some 4000 airplanes out of the sky within a few short hours of the first sign of trouble. Though average folk like you and me, the humble crew and passengers of United 93 highlight humanity’s fierce and marvelous survival mechanism. But much more than this, they display a truly heroic courage, abandon, and selflessness, transforming from petrified and cowering victims to no-holds-barred warriors in the course of an hour. Their terror becomes their triumph as they, in their final moments, think of how they can possibly help, protect, or even save others. These people don’t ever surrender to terror. They fight it with everything they’ve got. United 93 - as the film’s stirring epilogue states - exists to honor these people. A more powerful and fitting memorial would be hard to conceive of.
R, for intense and traumatic depiction of terrorism and its effects throughout, with related violence and moments of strong language
posted by Drew Miller at
12:38 PM
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