very powerful

Rating: 10/10 (4 June 2006)

I really wasn't sure about this. When the trailers started to appear, I wasn't sure I wanted to see this. I'm not American, so although the 9/11 tragedy did have an affect on my country, obviously it didn't have the same effect as in the US. However, it was still a shocking day that will live on for years to come.
As a movie, I think Paul Greengrass deserves immense credit. He could probably have made it more Hollywood, with big name actors, and such. However, by simply telling the facts as best he can, as no-one knows what actually happened on that plane, he comes up with a powerful, gripping tragedy. By getting people in the movie playing themselves, and by involving the families of the the people killed, it shows that he wanted it get it right. And I think he has.
He makes no political statements in the movie, he simply lays out the events of 9/11. No doubt political movies about this will appear, but this is not one of them.
All the real people involved deserve immense credit for appearing, as it couldn't have been an easy thing for them to relive the events of that day. And I think the actors are brilliant, in their performances as the passengers who come to realise what's happening and then trying to do something about it.
This film is not entertainment. I don't think you can tell a 9/11 story as entertainment. Like any tragedy all you can do is simply tell the story of the events as best and as realistic as possible. Greengrass has done that.
And, if as reported, the families of the victims are OK with the movie, and the portrayal of their loved ones, then to me that says everything.
This movie demands to be seen.