United 93

[leecho7]

I just saw United 93 at the theaters today.
In case you don't know what United 93 is, it is a film about United 93 during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

I have to say, it was a great film. But I do question the director's (Paul Greengrass, he's actually one of my favorite movie directors) motive on making such a film. But I'll keep that to myself because I do not know enough about his relationship with the victim's family members.

Although I question the director's motive (which I do for any movie I watch, literally), there is no denying the power of his film. It was the only movie that actually moved me to tears since his first film, Bloody Sunday which was released in 200(1 or 2). And from watching the film, I really couldn't find any hollywood 'esque' form of exploitation. The people you see on screen aren't actors, they're normal people. Many of them were actually the siblings of the victims who were onboard United 93. There is no hollywood stereotypical cliche hero syndrome in this film. What you see in this film are scared people. Not just the passengers, but the terrorists too. You see the fear from both faces, really fleshing out the humanity that went on behind the scenes on that faithful day. Greengrass doesn't offer any explanations to why this happened, or any relief on their tragic fate. The movie simply ends, leaving you in a wreck.

Many people argue that it is too soon for a movie like this to be made. It's never too soon, in fact I think it was released too late.
It seems that many people forget what happened on that day. I know it's good to live on with your lives, but we must never forget, and always remember what happened.
The days after 9/11, it was the first time in my life I experienced prayers in a public school. It was the first time in my life I played tapps and Amazing Grace on the trumpet out on a public street. And it was the first time the American people were actually united. Politics, and even religions, stood aside for a brief moment in time, and the only thing that mattered was the man/woman standing next to you.
Watching this film brought back many of those memories, that even I forgot throughout the years after being bombarded with scandals, war, Micahel Jackson's private theme park, school, rising tuition and medical costs, rising gas prices etc.

I really wouldn't recommend this film for anyone who isn't ready. As for me, I thought I was ready to see this film... but I ended up feeling as if one of those planes flew into my chest.

[Jakal]

I'll be seeing it next week if I can. I've heard some of the backstory of that movie, and I'm proud to see it made. We can never forget what happend, and it sickens me to see all the crap the media dredges up. A lot that they like to show has little meaning. What happend on 9/11 is something that should be retold time and again. A story to tell our grandchildren. Something we can pass on, albeit a tragic story. It's times like that, that make us realize what's really important. What really is meaningful in life. It's not the petty things that go on, but those that affect everyone.

[Rob Williams]

Thanks for the quick review man. I never watch movies to begin with, so I doubt I will get a chance to watch this one. It's definitely a touchy subject though, so it's cool to see it actually did get released.

"And from watching the film, I really couldn't find any hollywood 'esque' form of exploitation."

Good stuff.