United 93 (2006)

Heroes Unite

THE PLOT (7 stars - Good)

United 93 was the hijacked plane that missed its target during the 9/11 attack.  The actual events on why this happened is what the public longs to know.  I appreciate how they present it in a detailed and straightforward manner.

THE PERFORMANCE (6 stars - Above Average)

Getting unknown actors, real-life persons (as themselves) and participants (pilots, stewardesses, air-controllers, military officers and staffs) as casts feel authentic and right.  Satisfactory performances to the main actors and terrorists.  They're generally amateurs, so I just noticed some “conscious eyes”.

THE PRODUCTION (6 stars - Above Average)

Director Greengrass applies his “shaky camera” trademark to emphasize realism.  I like how the film focuses on United 93 and not on other big picture like the Twin Tower.  Though overall, I feel it lacks intensity and connection to audience.

OVERALL SCORE
(7 + 6 + 6) / 3 = 6.33
6/10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Perry Seibert)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 6 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 316 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 1,038 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 5.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Sean O'Connell)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 7.8/10.0 stars (based on 49,684 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 90/100 points (based on 39 critics)
     = 7.6/10.0 points (based on 266 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 86/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 4.5/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 961 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 91/100 points (based on 200 critics)
     = 77/100 points (based on 120,168 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = A- (based on 14 critics)
     = B+ (based on 15,154 users)



THE GIST

Documentary movies often create huge impact to viewers.  Let's not forget the passengers who are the true heroes here.  Bravo to the creators for having this as accurate as possible.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"We have to do something,

they are not going to land this plane."

- Thomas E. Burnett Jr.

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Undecided" Ziad Jarrah

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Pass the message

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $15.0 M
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Domestic Gross           $31.5 M
Foreign Gross              $44.8 M
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Worldwide Gross                            $76.3 M
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Profit                                             $61.3 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Nominated:                  - Best Achievement in Directing (Paul Greengrass)
                                   - Best Achievement in Editing


BAFTA Awards, UK (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Winner:                        - Best Editing
                                    - David Lean Award for Direction
                                              (Paul Greengrass)

Nominated:                  - Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film
                                   - Best Cinematography
                                   - Best Screenplay - Original
                                   - Best Sound