Surprisingly far and above all my expectations

Rating: 9/10 (4 May 2006)

Several weeks ago when I first saw the preview for "United 93", my initial reaction was that I would never see it. I immediately labeled it as pro-Bush propaganda aimed at rekindling fading sentiment and waning patriotism. I refused to be manipulated by the over the top dramatic reenactment of events that we can only imagine to have taken place. In the past few weeks, though, I've been hearing increasingly positive reviews and I finally gave in to my curiosity and saw it last night.
My only real problems with "United 93" lie within the first few minutes. It opens with the soon-to-be hijackers in their hotels getting ready for their big day. They are chanting from the Koran and reciting their daily prayers. I didn't appreciate this initial emphasis on religion of Islam, implying it to be the motivation behind the terror. This complaint, however, is the only one I have of the film. I can only give praise from here on out.
My knee jerk reaction from the first preview I saw could not be farther from reality. "United 93" portrays the events of the morning of September 11, 2001 as accurately as it possibly could. There were no known actors in the film and I was very surprised to learn in the credits that many of the characters actually played themselves. This only makes me think that at least the action portrayed on the ground isn't all that far from the truth. And why would anyone stray from the truth of 9/11, the reality of it is heartbreaking enough. Obviously there's not a lot known about what really happened on that plane, mainly just cell phone calls to family members, but the film does little to glorify the passengers of the one flight that failed to reach its target. They are not national heroes; they are real people.
The movie is obviously sad, and how can it not be? Yet, I feared that it would be so emotional that I would have to cry myself to sleep. While I am still very somber hours later, "United 93" mainly caused me to reflect on how tragic that day was. If only communication had flowed freer, perhaps a few of those flights could have been saved. I also greatly appreciated that the film did not point fingers or attempt to blame anyone or any group for failing to stop the terrorists.
I feared that the film was hoping to produce another round of "rallying around the flag," but instead I was surprised how not patriotic (not at all to say unpatriotic) it was compared to many other Hollywood films. I don't recall the presence of a single American flag. It's documentary style produces realism that is exceedingly more moving than anything of the likes of the music video for "I'm Proud to be an American". "United 93" might perhaps be one of the most powerful films I have ever seen. I know that is quite a superlative statement, and it could be that in a few days when the effect of this film wears off I will feel differently. However, for now I really believe this to be true. I think that this is a film that everyone should see. Regardless of whatever preconceived notions of you may have of it, this is two hours that could not be better spent.