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United 93 Review

Release Date: Apr 28, 2006
Rated: language, and some intense sequences of terror and violence
Runtime: 1 hr. 51 min.
Genres: Drama
Director:Paul Greengrass
Cast:David Alan Basche, Richard Bekins, Susan Blommaert, Ray Charleson, Christian Clemenson. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

4.5

Dave White Profile <h3>Dave White</h3> <p><strong>Your Movies.com Man at the Multiplex</strong></p> <br /> <p>Dave White's first movie review was of the animated feature Snoopy Come Home. He was seven years old...<a href="http://www.movies.com/movie-reviews/dave-white">Read full profile</a></p>

… deeply upsetting … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

5.0

90

out of 100

Metascore^®
Universal acclaim
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
100

out of 100

USA Today Claudia Puig
An unflinching, powerfully visceral and haunting portrait of the tragic events aboard one of the terrorist-commandeered flights on the fateful morning of Sept. 11, 2001.

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100

out of 100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
This is a masterful and heartbreaking film, and it does honor to the memory of the victims.

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100

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt
Greengrass has made not only a thoroughly fact-checked film but a film that uncontrovertibly comes from the heart.

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100

out of 100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Quite remarkably, though, its clear-eyed view of an unprecedented American tragedy leaves us with emotions that audiences of those earlier days would readily recognize -- love of country, bottomless grief, an appreciation of life's preciousness and fragility. A film that can do this and also teach is to be cherished. And seen. It's time.
70

out of 100

The New York Times Manohla Dargis
Its focus is purposely narrow. But that narrow focus, along with the lack of fully realized characters, and the absence of any historical or political context, raises the question of why, notwithstanding the usual (if shaky) commercial imperative, this particular movie was made.

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80

out of 100

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan
Intellectually, we know we should applaud the marvels United 93 has accomplished, and we do. But it is a film envisioned as a monument, a memorial tribute, and in our hearts we want something more. United 93 should have been made now, when memories and passions are still fresh, but it may play better in the future. If we have one.

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90

out of 100

Variety Brian Lowry
The result is a tense, documentary-style drama that methodically builds a sense of dread despite the preordained outcome.

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91

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
Pulling the bandage of sentiment cleanly away from oozing concepts like ''heroism'' and ''our nation's war on terror'' in the aftermath of recent wounds, here's a drama about the most politically charged crisis of our time that grants the dignity of autonomy to every soul involved.

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See all United 93 reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Story of 9/11 hijacking: harrowing, not for kids.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film isn't for younger kids. Upsetting and provocative, it raises sophisticated questions about the construction of history and uses of memory. The movie includes frequent cuts that create tension and link scenes in the jet and air traffic control, military, and the FAA centers. The hijackers betray nervousness but remain resolute in pursuing what they see as their destiny. Television images of the second plane hitting the WTC recall 9/11 as most viewers experienced it. The final assault by passengers on the hijackers is particularly grim and violent, with ragged images and blood splattering on a wall. Some strong language.

Families can talk about the uses of representing such tragedy and trauma: How do stories and images help us work through emotional wounds? How important is historical accuracy in a fictionalized feature film? How does the movie portray the hijackers, so that you see their nervousness and dedication, and not just cartoonish, one-dimensional "evil"? How do the many, mostly nameless, passengers appear heroic in ways that challenge movie conventions?

The good stuff

Messages: Crew members and passengers are smart and heroic.

What to watch for

Violence: CNN's footage of the WTC burning, and the second plane hitting the second tower, approximates characters' perspectives, at once horrifying and unbelievable (again); hijackers carry knives and fake bomb; throats/shoulders slashed, stabbing, and an assault by passengers on the hijackers that occurs mostly offscreen, but shows blood splatted on the wall from a skull crushed by a fire extinguisher; last images are harrowing, blurry and rushed and fragmented, until the plane crashes and the screen goes black.
Sex: Not an issue
Language: Language escalates as the action, frustration, and dread build; includes "damn," f-words, s-words, and "hell."
Consumerism: Not an issue
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Mention of drinks at start, during cabin service.

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.