by pinback » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:39 pm
A film critic could proffer the suggestion that, without knowing the backstory -- if you'd never heard of 9/11 -- this movie wouldn't be particularly compelling. A bunch of ATC controllers shouting at each other and passengers dealing with a hijack that they never have time to learn what it's about... too much confusion and no coherent plot line.
But we know the plot line. And armed with this knowledge, I do not remember a more devastating movie. At 20 minutes in, I openly commented "this is intense", and my lady asked me if I was being facetious. I'm known for my dry humor. But no, I was not. Even in the slightest.
It is an absolutely exhausting experience, watching this movie, and brilliant in every respect. Details, details, the devil's in the details, and every time United 93 has a chance to pull you out of the reality and remind you it's just a movie, it fails to do so.
I will not go all gay-ass American movie-reviewer and tell you that this is an "important" film.
I will, however, go all bi-curious caucasian movie-reviewer and tell you that United 93 is one of the greatest, most gut-wrenching, horrific, and spectacular films I've ever seen.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS OUT OF FIVE. (****1/2)
A film critic could proffer the suggestion that, without knowing the backstory -- if you'd never heard of 9/11 -- this movie wouldn't be particularly compelling. A bunch of ATC controllers shouting at each other and passengers dealing with a hijack that they never have time to learn what it's about... too much confusion and no coherent plot line.
But we know the plot line. And armed with this knowledge, I do not remember a more devastating movie. At 20 minutes in, I openly commented "this is intense", and my lady asked me if I was being facetious. I'm known for my dry humor. But no, I was not. Even in the slightest.
It is an absolutely exhausting experience, watching this movie, and brilliant in every respect. Details, details, the devil's in the details, and every time United 93 has a chance to pull you out of the reality and remind you it's just a movie, it fails to do so.
I will not go all gay-ass American movie-reviewer and tell you that this is an "important" film.
I will, however, go all bi-curious caucasian movie-reviewer and tell you that United 93 is one of the greatest, most gut-wrenching, horrific, and spectacular films I've ever seen.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS OUT OF FIVE. (****1/2)