There are some movies that I think should never be made. The remake of the Omen, virtually anything that Mel Gibson has directed or produced due their historical inaccuracies and Alien 3. I thought United 93 would join this list as it was too soon, it's just being made to cash in on the events of 9/11 and most importantly, at least in my eyes, it's too sad for the people concerned.
I was wrong.
I sat through the film feeling so sorry for everybody - and not just those on the planes. The film concentrates on other aspects; the air traffic controllers, their bosses, the millitary - all ordinary people caught up in the single worst day of their lives. Everyone was powerless to fully understand what was happening, no one, not even the worlds greatest military power could respond to multiple hijackings. I'm led to believe that the portrayal of those on the ground is very close to what really happened. If this is true then it is even more profound.
In the plane events unfold with a terrifying slaughter of the crew and attacks on passengers. The fear is evident and I had to remind myself at times to breathe. No one can really be sure of exactly what happened on the plane, most of it has been pieced together from the conversations from the plane but as youre watching it feels very, very real. In the air you feel like another passenger, on the ground youre like another member of the air traffic control team or in the military operations room. In this respect United 93 really pulls you in. You already know what happens but the intensity that is purveyed outstrips anything Ive witnessed before.
The only thing even slightly comparable is the start of Saving Private Ryan during the D-Day landings. In that you get to see the hell that the troops had to go through to get onto and off the beaches. Spielberg does a great job of making the audience feel like theyre on the beach with the soldiers but after this, it reverts back to a normal story. With United 93 however, you become a part of it from start and until the end. Either in the air or on the ground it makes you think What would I do? or How would I respond?, questions I hope that none of us will ever have to try and answer for real.
The people that managed to use phones that day from the plane had an overwhelming message; the message of love. I love you. Tell my children I love them. Love. Over 3,000 people died on September 11th 2001 but the message that you hear so often is that of love. And for me, that is what the film encapsulates. No one on the plane (except the hijackers) wanted to die but the passengers had the courage to make a stand, to fight back and do what they could to help others.
I am unashamed to say that I cried a number of times during the film, particularly at the end. Its not a movie for the faint-hearted and as I left the cinema I saw others had also shed tears. There was silence as we left and the only other film Ive attended that has had this effect on an audience was Schindlers List. Whilst I wouldnt wish the 9/11 situation on anyone, I take some solace that through acts of self-preservation and love, people of my generation decided to fight back to save further loss of life. I recommend United 93 to anyone old enough to see it.
I was wrong.
I sat through the film feeling so sorry for everybody - and not just those on the planes. The film concentrates on other aspects; the air traffic controllers, their bosses, the millitary - all ordinary people caught up in the single worst day of their lives. Everyone was powerless to fully understand what was happening, no one, not even the worlds greatest military power could respond to multiple hijackings. I'm led to believe that the portrayal of those on the ground is very close to what really happened. If this is true then it is even more profound.
In the plane events unfold with a terrifying slaughter of the crew and attacks on passengers. The fear is evident and I had to remind myself at times to breathe. No one can really be sure of exactly what happened on the plane, most of it has been pieced together from the conversations from the plane but as youre watching it feels very, very real. In the air you feel like another passenger, on the ground youre like another member of the air traffic control team or in the military operations room. In this respect United 93 really pulls you in. You already know what happens but the intensity that is purveyed outstrips anything Ive witnessed before.
The only thing even slightly comparable is the start of Saving Private Ryan during the D-Day landings. In that you get to see the hell that the troops had to go through to get onto and off the beaches. Spielberg does a great job of making the audience feel like theyre on the beach with the soldiers but after this, it reverts back to a normal story. With United 93 however, you become a part of it from start and until the end. Either in the air or on the ground it makes you think What would I do? or How would I respond?, questions I hope that none of us will ever have to try and answer for real.
The people that managed to use phones that day from the plane had an overwhelming message; the message of love. I love you. Tell my children I love them. Love. Over 3,000 people died on September 11th 2001 but the message that you hear so often is that of love. And for me, that is what the film encapsulates. No one on the plane (except the hijackers) wanted to die but the passengers had the courage to make a stand, to fight back and do what they could to help others.
I am unashamed to say that I cried a number of times during the film, particularly at the end. Its not a movie for the faint-hearted and as I left the cinema I saw others had also shed tears. There was silence as we left and the only other film Ive attended that has had this effect on an audience was Schindlers List. Whilst I wouldnt wish the 9/11 situation on anyone, I take some solace that through acts of self-preservation and love, people of my generation decided to fight back to save further loss of life. I recommend United 93 to anyone old enough to see it.
I don't think this will be one I'll be watching at the moment (in a movies for escapism and relaxation mode at the moment 
