Review of United 93 (2006) by Chad D — 10 Mar 2010

Words cannot express the power that this film has. It is a simple film; there is no Hollywood glamour to be found. No big name actors, no sweeping cinematic score, and no conjoured up glitzy heroism. Yet heroism in the face of danger was alive and real on United flight 93. If you want to visit it; if you want to experience what those American men and women endured on that fateful day...you will get no closer than by watching this film.

This film is truly terrifying. One gets a taste of real life fear watching this movie. It doesn't try to sanitize or clean up the flight at all. It merely allows us to commune in the spirit of what happened, to honor the memory of the dead, and to memorialize their brave deeds on September 11, 2001.

These things stated, it is excellent cinema. Greengrass's signature hand-held camera work lends great authenticity to the project. The acting is very excellent, coming from relative unknowns and non-actors alike. The emotion portrayed is as vivid as in any mainstream Oscar winning performance.