An Unforgettable Tale of Tragedy

Rating: 9/10 (7 October 2013)

I was a little doubtful of wanting to anticipate watch a movie that sparked fear and sadness not just to the United States, but all over the world (even here in Canada) about the tragic plane crashes of the September 11, terrorist attacks. "United 93" takes us on the painful journey to United Flight 93 as it was scheduled to take off from Newark to San Francisco, but instead landed in field just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The plane had no survivors. It feel like this tragic events happened yesterday when it was actually 12 years ago. To this day I asked myself the harrowing question. Was anyone prepared for something like this to happen? I still felt reluctant of going to see it and I don't think every inch of this tragedy can be fleshed out in just two hours.
But after much debate, I had the bravery to watch "United 93". Lots of things happened that day that changed the lives of others, me included. The world was in fear, shock and sadness. And the unity within our brotherhood never felt so stronger. So off I went to see the movie and I said to myself if this movie becomes a forceful tear-jerker or exploitive, I would walk out.
Well from my observation I didn't see any scenes that were a rip-off and or making a salary at the expense of many civilians who were killed in one of the most tragic events in modern history. I was even heart struck when I read somewhere that the proceeds would be funded to family members whose loved ones died on that tragic day. A selfless act like this does not happen everyday.
The characters portrayed in the film, passengers, crew, air controllers, and grief-stricken families were performed with class and compassion. I think the most challenging performance were the actors who played the terrorists and the responses they got after the film was released. Director Paul Greengrass left no stone unturned to recreating this event and making every scene kept real and all the while refraining it from being over-the-top in dramatization or any kind of awkward performances. The research done in making this movie was researched through people who were working and received calls from crew who were on board Flight 93, recordings on cell phones, and data recordings. Mr. Greengrass was doing his homework when he made this movie.
If you remember, it was a sad day for all humankind. You might remember what you doing on that day. And at some point you feel like a jerk just sitting there watching the stuff happen on the screen. This movie makes you want to get off your chair and get involved and help these people out. The patrons on this aircraft are just average folks like us, going to some destination. This movie pays homage to people committing selfless acts to save one another's lives and to show that humanity is out there.
As an order of precaution to younger viewers watching, be advised that there's a lot of heavy violence, very loud scenes, ruthless actions and profanity happens in this movie. Therefore, just watch this movie with care and see for yourself what this movie brings to you.