America is reintroduced to a day which most have not forgotten...

Rating: 9/10 (29 April 2006)

In Paul Greengrass's new film "United 93", America is reintroduced to a day which most have not forgotten, this day is September eleventh. "United 93" is as IMDb describes, "A real time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot". While some consider this movies arrival on the market "premature", others may find it to be an awakening experience which has the power to motivate and humble all at the same time. In "United 93" Greengrass uses subjective camera work to create a first hand account of what events actually transpired on that day; creating a realistic sense of vulnerability. His use of this first person camera work unfolds possible perspectives ranging from the government, to the air control facilities, to the actual people on board the flight United 93. In order to maintain an authenticity, the film's camera shots were jumpy and the movie sometimes even appeared to be documentary like.
Throughout this film viewers are made to look away from the screen; sometimes due to the subject matter, but often times it is the extreme motion of the camera which forces one to glance away. The audience is subjected to nearly two hours of a realistic fluidity that existed between all the relevant parties involved. As the movie progresses and the viewer is brought from office to office with the real time events, one is forced to stop and appreciate how fantastic this disaster is, and how it has affected the lives of every American since then. Greengrass's use of the subjective shot really forces this inclusion of the audience, undeniably creating the feeling that one is on that flight or working a control tower on that day, and is getting a bird's eye view into what really took place. After all, getting the world to see what happened that day seems to be this director's goal. It is apparent that a financial gain may be made, but the film reflects an honest sincerity never the less.
Greengrass's sincerity doesn't stop with the camera-work; it also exists in the script. This isn't a film persuading people to be angry at Muslims because of this select group of people or what they did; their act speaks for it self. This is a film which experiments with emotionality and script by forcing the audience to listen to one of the oldest most emotional forces in time, religion. As the narrative advances, the terrorist are seen with their eyes closed and heard praying simultaneously with the other Americans on board, forcing the audience to become coherent of their plight. While not defending these terrorist, one must acknowledge the dedication which this film exposes on their behalf. As an effect of this dedication, "United 93" really explores its roots in extremism and exposes its terror on the world with Hollywood film, sound, and design. After leaving this film, a part of you will feel as if you went down with them.