Genre: Drama

Director: Paul Greengrass

Certificate: United 93 was rated 15A by the Irish Film Censor's Office (www.ifco.ie) i.e. suitable for those of 15 years of age or upwards. Persons under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Violence = strong. Drugs = none. Sex/Nudity = none. Language = strong.

United Flight 93 tells the story of the events on one of the four planes hijacked on 11 Sept 2001.  United Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania when the passengers fought back against terrorists in an attempt to retake control of the plane.

I know there can be misgivings about this type of film as it tells the story of real events that are sensitive and upsetting for people and in particular for the families who lost friends and relatives.  When you consider that the events happened only a few years ago this is especially true and emotions are still very raw for people.  There is a fear that the film will be exploitive with the sole purpose of making money.

Thankfully director Paul Greengrass has done a particularly good job with this film and has avoided the many pitfalls that could have arisen.  The film is very professional and avoids over-the-top patriotism, political and religious judgements or views.  There are no special effects to give that Hollywood feel to it.  Instead the story is told in a factual straight-forward manner giving a sense of reality.  The film simply shows what happened that day and shows the plight of the passengers without over dramatising.

The fact that the story is told in real time probably helps to restrict the film and prevents it from diverting to give views on politics, war, terrorism etc.

There are no major movie actors in the film and this helps to portray the fact that the passengers on board the hijacked plane were just ordinary people going about their business who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  There is no attempt to create heroes and there are no dramatic speeches or corny one-liners.

Bottom Line: I know, and understand, that not everyone will want to watch this film but in time there will be loads of films based on the events of 11 September 2001 and I hope, but doubt, that they will be able to treat the subject matter with the respect that is shown in this film.

Reviewed by Niall Quinn, Premier Movie Reviews 2006.

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