United 93 Review
by Tim Voon (winklebeck AT hotmail DOT com)December 11th, 2006
United 93 (2006)
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 2006 Timothy Voon
4 out of 5 stars
Cast: Cheyenne Jackson, David Alan Basche, Christian Clemenson, Director: Paul Greengrass
'United 93' is the name of the only hi-jacked airplane not to hit its intended target on Capital Hill on September the 11th, 2001. This is a heart moving story based on the phone calls of those who died on that day. Although we know what eventually happens to flight 93, this does not detract from the compelling story of the people who were onboard.
The movie begins on September the 11th 2001. The day which would change the way we live, travel and view the world forever. 'United 93' is filmed as if we were in the airport, boarding the plane with the other passengers and taking the flight ourselves. My palms grew sweaty, as I watched the passengers board what seemed like a routine flight. Nothing seemed out of place. There were smiles on people's faces and calm chatter between the passengers and flight staff. There is no Hollywood makeover of the plane or passengers which helps to build suspense and adds to the reality factor.
The story begins as the United States intelligence, military and flight authorities slowly realize that something is amiss after the first plane hits the Trade Centre. The whispers slowly build in loudness and intensity as they shout orders, trying to coordinate data and information of what seems like a thousand air flights on their screens. This builds to panic when the second plane hits the Trade Centre and silent shock when the third hits the Pentagon. I remember watching all of these events on CNN that morning, and strangely, these were my exact feelings relived. This film also points out that the authorities very poorly coordinated or prepared to face such a crisis. The fact that the military were not even informed that United 93 was hi-jacked until 15 minutes after it had crashed, says a lot about the deficiencies in the system.
However, the most shocking and heartrending part of this film takes place on 'United 93'. From the moment the terrorists stab a passenger in the neck, before brutally murdering the pilots and a flight attendant, I was sitting on the edge of my seat. The other passengers are at first beaten into submission by the shock and ferocity of their assailants. Slowly, after contacting the outside world with phones, they begin to realize that these terrorists have no intention of landing the plane. They learn about news of the World Trade Centre and realize that they must do something before they are used in a similar manner. Their emotions shift from fear, to anger and finally to courage. The subtle hold on power switches as the terrorists edge back towards the cockpit, as the passengers arm themselves and slip forward before surging and overcoming their assailants. The most poignant moment of this movie was listening to the 'chant' of background voices of terrorists praying in hatred, passengers whispering their goodbyes to loved ones and praying for deliverance and forgiveness.
This is a powerful, moving story of triumph, good over evil.
Timothy Voon
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