| Review:
|
"United 93" is a very important film. When I first heard
that this was being made, I experienced doubt, anger, and
confusion. How could Hollywood capitalize on the most tragic
day of our shared existence? Then I heard that the surviving
families of this infamous flight were behind this. When
it was finally released, it received raves from critics
and audiences. I still didn't know if I could watch this
and relive 9/11. Finally, as someone who immensely respects
the power of cinema, I decided to rent "United 93." But
this isn't about me...it's about all of us collectively.
***
Director Paul Greengrass did a magnificent job of portraying
the events of 9/11 in real time. As the forty crew members
and passengers are boarding the plane and subsequently having
their take-off delayed, air traffic control is having trouble
reaching a few aircrafts that are flying off-course. We
all know that two of those planes hit the World Trade Center
and one hit the Pentagon. We've been aware of these events
for five years now. But as I was watching this movie, I
wanted to yell, "No, no! Stop! This can't be happening!"
As someone who grew up on happy Hollywood endings, my instinct
is to think that this couldn't possible happen, they couldn't
make such a tragic story. Even though we can't change history,
I wanted desperately for these events not to happen and
show up again on my TV set. It honestly was so real in the
reenactment, that this could pass for a documentary. ***
Which brings me back to the flight that this movie
is about. Flight 93 is hijacked and we experience what went
on in the aircraft. Innocent human beings are stabbed and
terrorized. Gradually, the passengers learn of the day's
other events by sneaking phone calls to their loved ones.
They devise a plan to stop the terrorists from succeeding
in their mission, knowing that they are not going to survive
this flight. Their journey is absolutely heroic and heart-wrenching.
Greengrass puts us actually on this horrifying flight. The
spirit of love and sacrifice are realized by this true tale.
***
Image & Sound: The surround-sound is wonderful. It
actually sounds like you're on this plane. The image is
crisp. ***
|
