09/11/06 United 93

United 93 (2006), directed by Paul Greengrass

watched solo; DVD rental (Blockbuster) @ home

Is it too soon? That is the question posed whenever such uneasiness arises where a terribly tragic historical event takes place, then someone somewhere wants to try and delve into the reasons/circumstances for why such a thing could have happened. I'm one who is all for trying to cope with tragedy, move on with life with a clear understanding of how precious it can be, and take whatever cathartic measures one needs to heal. That being said, I completely understand how devastating and galvanizing a force such a tragedy as the unforgettable terrorist attacks on America were back in 2001. Being that I come from a military family, there has always been a bred sense of patriotism in my life...as well as a great honor to live in a free country like this. Obviously there are others out there who do not like us, do not agree with a lot of our politics (heck, there are plenty of us here in this nation that don't agree with that), and are crazy enough to take lethal force into their own hands to produce a catastrophic effect. We need not go into the situation any more than that...as it has been the biggest issue the world has faced since the soul-ripping day that was September 11th, 2001. So many kind, beautiful and important people were lost on that day...all to a handful of idiots who didn't understand. The emotional rollercoaster that that day took us all on will never be forgotten, and how we all came together to help one another shouldn't either. What this movie does is tell a very personal side of one particular group who selflessly gave in the face of certain tragedy, and have become heroes to so many. Is it too soon to tell their story? I, like most of us not directly involved in this tragedy, would not be able to acurately answer that...it is something that should be left up to those who it matters to most. What is incredible about this fictionalized drama is that the filmmakers did just that, by getting the permission of the families of the victims to be a part of the process of healing. After the film was over, and I must say that I was speechless at how a fictionalized re-telling can be so moving as that gritty scenery, I turned onto the DVD's special features for a documentary. In this piece, you can see the real life anguish on loved ones' faces as they tell of their friends/lovers/children in memories...rather than in the present where they have been lost forever. It is this part that gets me most. We all know the horrible truth about what transpired that fateful day 5 years ago, but seldom is time taken to find out from those closely affected just what is still transpiring in their hearts. United 93 was the flight that, targeted by terrorists for the same dreaded end the other three flights took down, regular people took a stand against violence and stopped an evil act from spreading further. It is unfortunate that so many had to lose their lives, but so many more could have had it not been for the passengers on this flight. They stood up, with their now famous line of "let's roll," as they apprehended the terrorists...and fought the plane from crashing and killing many more. Maybe it is too early to tell some tales about real life situations like this...maybe it has been too long. Who am I to say? I didn't expect this film to be as powerful as it came across, but it did. The politics might get you angry, the senseless violence surely will drive you mad, the memories might make you cry...but the feelings are what should never be forgot, just like those people that day, and just like life never taken for granted.

5 out of 5 stars