DVD Reviews

United 93

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• Starring: Christian Clemenson
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United 93 unfolds in realtime as the passengers aboard the ill-fated Flight 93 fight back against terrorists who have taken over their plane. United 93 is an incredibly difficult beast to fully grasp, and no reviewer can tell you how you're going to react to it. It's a film built solely on the singular personal response that you will have. Writer/director Greengrass obviously didn't want to be seen to manipulate any of the actions of the passengers, so although we don't know exactly what happened aboard the plane, we're drawn in with unparrelled realism that Greengrass's hand-held camera and unknown cast give us. It eerily plays out like a documentary that you already know the horrible ending of. The ground crew (who curiously play themselves) on the other hand, give us the natural human response to what's unfolding; both helpless and emotional, they say what you, as a viewer, are thinking, as the buildings crumble and the tension aboard the plane becomes unbearable. As an artistic exercise it's impossible to criticise, because as technically amazing and emotionally draining as an experience as it is, it doesn't do or say anything like any other film you've ever seen. The actors fumble lines, some of the dialogue feels spontaneous and some scenes unrehearsed - maybe the day was the rehearsal for some of these folk - and I can't tell you if it works or not. I reacted to it and was drawn in by it, so for me yeah, it works; for you on the other hand, you may not even be capable of sitting through it. Both uncomfortable and uncompromising, it's brave film-making that you may not be ready for. But I urge you to see it anyway.

Review by Mike Sheridan