United 93

I kept thinking about the conventional Hollywood approach to a film such as "United 93." Typically, you would pick a handful to be the main characters and introduce them to the audience, showing their quirks and habits. None of that is present. These people aren't shaking each others' hands and trading baby pictures. We don't even learn their names. They are a singular entity held together by tragic circumstances. The film's climax shows the passengers overwhelming the terrorists and breaking into the cockpit. By this point, the camera is so tight on the action that the passengers are a sea of arms moving as one, reaching for the same goal.

We are really just thrown into these events with the same confusion and lack of knowledge as those caught up in them. Although, all the families provided the cast and crew with bios of the passengers, the widow of German Christian Adams refused to participate. His is the only character to try to dissuade the others from their course of action. At one point, he tries to warn the terrorists before being taken down by the others. Obviously, we'll never truly know what went on in those final moments and maybe somebody really was against the idea. But, it just felt a little mean spirited and out of place to portray that person is such a light.

At first, I felt the same way with John Powell's score. It isn't a bad score at all and it never ever overwhelms the scenes. The worst thing you can do with a score is take away from what's occurring onscreen. Powell's score does mimic the motions of a plane and the labored and frightened breathing of the passengers. It's well-done, yet I still couldn't help but wonder if it was really necessary? I believe the film would have benefited from not having a score at all.

Those are about the only complaints I had for a film that is, otherwise, thoroughly gripping and heart wrenching.

VIDEO:
The video is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The picture quality is excellent. The colors are somewhat muted, on purpose to achieve a realistic look. This transfer is extremely well-done.

AUDIO:
The audio is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 with 5.1 French and Spanish dubbed tracks. The dialogue comes in crisp and clear while the bass is booming.

EXTRAS:
This disc features an audio commentary track with Paul Greengrass as he explains the reasoning behind making "United 93", as well as meeting the families and his filmmaking decisions.

Also included is United 93: The Families and the Film, an hour-long documentary that features interviews with the cast and families as they meet with one another across the country.

Finally, there are biographies of the crew and passengers onboard United 93 and a trailer for the Academy Award-winning short documentary, "Twin Towers."

Also available, is a 2-disc version which includes the documentary, "Chasing Planes: Witnesses to 9/11." It's a shame Universal couldn't simply fit that onto one disc.

FILM VALUE:
For most of us, September 11th is a wound that may never heal and films like "United 93" or "World Trade Center" are unhappy reminders. Is "United 93" an easy film to digest? Not at all. I honestly could not bring myself to see it in a theater and found myself pausing the DVD several times. It is an overwhelming emotional experience, one that will linger on for a long time. Without a doubt, "United 93" is the frontrunner for best film of 2006 and one of the best films in years.

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