United 93 (An Early Review)

Reel Reviews ^ | james berardinelli

[BluH2o]

There are those who believe this movie should not be released, that it is "too soon".

The "too soon" mantra was co-ordinated by the libs in my opinion ... very much like a talking points memo. The other possibility is the producers of United 93, in order to generate pre release buzz, orchestrated events. In any case, it wasn't a random sentiment.

[BoBToMatoE]

I don't know if I'm really ready to see a 9/11 movie myself yet.

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I agree. This seems to be a darned good review. American needs to have its scab picked right now, especially in light of what defeatist are urging us to do.

we cannot forget. we must not forget.

[kylaka]

There was some recognizeable debris, particularly in the treeline 100 yards or so beyond the point of impact. There were also body parts in the trees. It is pretty hard to make an airplane disappear entirely. The only reason so little of the Trade Center airplanes were recovered, was because of the post impact fire. Same goes for those who died in the Trade Center. Ditto for the Pentagon, plane and victims.

[pogo101]

"Remember Pearl Harbor" came out in mid-'42.

Now I'm not saying that it, or United 93, was not also "too soon."

But what bothers me is the failure, in most MSM discussions of whether "United 93" is "too soon," to mention the elephant in the room, namely Michael Moore and his "Fahrenheit 9/11."

[carton253]

No one need impose anything. I'll be bringing my own...

[carton253]

No, they found it...intact... and the families have heard the final few minutes of the struggle for the plane.

[colorcountry]

The link in post #26 said the family didn't want to view the movie...it did NOT say they didn't consent to it being made.

[Calpernia]

I will post the other articles after dinner and homework than. They said it.

[garandag]

So, you think the morale of the Mexican army at San Jacinto was raised when 700 or so Texians under General Sam Houston charged them, shooting at point blank range and shouting "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad"? Maybe briefly, but then reality set in.

[mystery-ak]

See post#26......I believe I have read that hardly any remains were found and that no recognizable wreckage was found either...

[TalonDJ]

Well the apparently found the voice recorder. If that was usable then it is likely they could identify 'remains' in the what was left of the cockpit. That does not necessarily mean much was left of the nose section.

[mystery-ak]

They found the cockpit intact? or do you mean the blue box?

[Steve_Seattle]

"Just the fact that a movie is made about this event seems exploitive to me."

I somewhat agree with you, and it's for much the same reason that I thought "The Passion of Christ" and Whitley Strieber's "Communion" were not dramatic successes: first, we already know the story; second, the story lacks plot points and character development. It is more fit as a subject for a documentary than as a "story." Watching this movie would almost be like buying one of those videos of car racing accidents; it's taking pain, suffering, and tragedy, and turning it into entertainment.

[toddlintown]

I think about 9-11 everyday but I just can't go to see this happen again. I was at home recovering from hip replacement surgery and happened to turn on FNC, having never watched it, but started to watch as everyone was speculating about what appeared to be a small plane having crashed into the first tower. I watched awhile and saw the second plane bank hard and hit the second tower. Too much for me to see it again.

I later saw the documentary by a French film crew that just happened to be following a firehouse in New York when the planes hit. In one scene in one of the still-standing towers, you kept on hearing loud bangs in the atrium. Someone explained that it was the sound of bodies crashing from above.

But if this movie can get those Americans who have forgotten what happened that day and what the War on Terrorism is all about, I'm all for it.

[Zhang Fei]

The only reason so little of the Trade Center airplanes were recovered, was because of the post impact fire.

There's more to it than that. The two planes weighed about 800 tons put together. They were crushed by 450,000 tons of concrete, steel and other debris.

Note what happens when cars crash into concrete barriers, or when tanks run over cars - they are crushed flat. Note that an SUV weighs 2 tons whereas a tank weighs 60 tons - tanks are 30 times as heavy. The two Trade Centers were more than 500 times as heavy as the planes. That is why there was very little left of the two planes at the World Trade Center.

[Talking_Mouse]

I think we all would have rather had the passengers. The only thing is, if we didn't have a Capitol building, the outcome would still have been the same for the passengers.

I'd rather have both and have dead terrorists.

I agree with you.

I am planning on going to see this this movie about normal Americans, who when push came to shove, tuned out to be heroes. I am, however, seeing it with the same kind of trepidation I did when I saw Shindler's List and The Passion of the Christ. This is not a movie I am looking forward to.

I will buy the DVD when it comes out, and watch it each year to remember.

On a happier note, my friend Michelle, who was at a dentist appointment, instead of at her desk at the Pentagon (none of the rest of her office got out) has given birth to a new baby girl. Two wonderful children that she and her husband give as gifts to the world since 2001.

[pcottraux]

But if this movie can get those Americans who have forgotten what happened that day and what the War on Terrorism is all about, I'm all for it.

I'm with you.

[Calpernia]

>>>>That does not necessarily mean much was left of the nose section

I didn't say there was either way.

[blu]

Paddles, go check IMDB (I think those are the right initials) for all the movies released during WWII. Also check out the "Why We Fight" series (didn't Capra direct some of those?) and all the newsreels. WWII news footage was shown at the theaters before the shows. Many "war" movies were made during the war. Looking at them now, you can see a heavy dose of propaganda. The point was to get the country behind the war effort (George, you made a mistake in not asking us to DO SOMETHING, something to focus on). FDR was a master at spin -not that spin is always a bad thing.

I will violate my ban on the local multiplex and see this movie. I figure those people died doing heroic acts, the very least I can do is bear witness.

[The Right Stuff]

Actually, you wouldn't have had either because the passengers would have been killed when the plane hit the Capitol.