United 93: To See or Not to See
Not for the faint at heart
by Jan Stetter
QueenCityForum.com Mag movies
Many have questioned the timing and purpose of recreating the story of the most horrible catastrophe to occur on American soil.
This film may have all the accruals that accompany a Hollywood production; yet rest assured its purpose is not to capitalize on the devastation of the events of September 11th.
Director, Paul Greengrass, best known for his documentaries, uses his talent to give this movie a feel of authenticity. The camera shots and angles of the passengers’ perspective in the plane, to the people on the ground doing their best to ascertain and coordinate efforts to divert a fourth plane attack, are inherent to the fast pace action.
From the opening scenes of the airport and the pilots, to the people at ground control, the movie presents the routines of a seemingly ordinary day. Greengrass conveys the sense that the people we are watching are just like us. They look like the vast majority of Americans. Real life scenarios occur: Passengers entering the plane look to be cordial, some indifferent; all with the confidence that this flight will get them safely to their destination.
Several people play themselves in this movie, most notably Ben Sliney, who was the actual national operational manager for the FAA on the day of the flight.
Other synchronizations add to the veritable sense of this film. Most enthralling was the conflict of efforts to establish coordinated communications between several air traffic controllers’ sites and the military. Astutely portrayed was the frustration of the military dealing with unclear and untimely succession of power and authority in acting upon the attacks. Their effort to maintain a collected calm during a crisis adds intensity.
United 93 is a powerful movie. In this movie we see the worst about our humanity and the best of it.
Having trouble making decisions about whether a movie is worth it? "To See or Not To See" reviews movies each week on Monday. Contact: jans@queencityforum.com
by Jan Stetter
QueenCityForum.com Mag movies
Many have questioned the timing and purpose of recreating the story of the most horrible catastrophe to occur on American soil.
This film may have all the accruals that accompany a Hollywood production; yet rest assured its purpose is not to capitalize on the devastation of the events of September 11th.
Director, Paul Greengrass, best known for his documentaries, uses his talent to give this movie a feel of authenticity. The camera shots and angles of the passengers’ perspective in the plane, to the people on the ground doing their best to ascertain and coordinate efforts to divert a fourth plane attack, are inherent to the fast pace action.
From the opening scenes of the airport and the pilots, to the people at ground control, the movie presents the routines of a seemingly ordinary day. Greengrass conveys the sense that the people we are watching are just like us. They look like the vast majority of Americans. Real life scenarios occur: Passengers entering the plane look to be cordial, some indifferent; all with the confidence that this flight will get them safely to their destination.
Several people play themselves in this movie, most notably Ben Sliney, who was the actual national operational manager for the FAA on the day of the flight.
Other synchronizations add to the veritable sense of this film. Most enthralling was the conflict of efforts to establish coordinated communications between several air traffic controllers’ sites and the military. Astutely portrayed was the frustration of the military dealing with unclear and untimely succession of power and authority in acting upon the attacks. Their effort to maintain a collected calm during a crisis adds intensity.
United 93 is a powerful movie. In this movie we see the worst about our humanity and the best of it.
Having trouble making decisions about whether a movie is worth it? "To See or Not To See" reviews movies each week on Monday. Contact: jans@queencityforum.com
posted by Queen City Forum Mag @ 7:11 PM
2 Comments:
At 1:20 PM ,
Anonymous said...
While it was a horrible catastrophe, it doesn't compare to what happened to the Native Americans in any way. It was genocide.
At 7:32 PM ,
Anonymous said...
That movie is pure fiction!
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