Review: United 93

A movie packs a greater emotional punch when you already know what tragedy will befall the characters introduced at the beginning. Paul Greengrass's United 93 is inarguably a powerful film, and Greengrass achieves this sense of familiarity and utmost sympathy with the characters without having to milk the saccharine and melodramatic for all it's worth. Packing a worthy ensemble that includes people actually involved in the real-life events playing themselves, the film quite works from beginning to chaotic then silent end. But don't expect the best acting or the steadiest camera work. In fact, if you're the type who pays attention to ever technical detail of a film to make an assessment of the whole, don't come into the theatre with such great expectations as the reviews would lead you to make. Grade: B