I’m not afraid to admit it. I cried while watching “United 93.”

It was a truly touching film that didn’t set out to preach a message or demonize a group of people. Rather, it was a film that set out to tell the story of a group of individuals who were put into an unthinkable situation and how they dealt with it.

Some have said it was too soon to make a film about the events of Sept. 11, 2001; that it would be too painful to see those things happen all over again or that it was just downright inappropriate.

They have obviously not seen Universal Pictures’ “United 93.”

Depicting the events that unfolded on that fateful flight, the movie, cast entirely with unknown actors, provokes many feelings in whoever may watch it.

Even though you may go to the theater knowing how the movie will ultimately end, while watching the performers, you can’t help but hope just a little bit that the movie may end differently than the actual events.

The fact that the movie does no such thing makes the ending that much more tragic.

The film begins with the hijackers-to-be as they prepare to carry out their plan, then quickly transitions into the day of Sept. 11, 2001.

We watch as all of the passengers go through security at the airport and eventually board the ill-fated aircraft.

The film progresses quickly from point to point, which adds to the overall feeling of confusion throughout the film, a device that harkens back to the day these events actually took place.

Quite possibly the most heartbreaking moments of the film are played out when you realize the passengers have surrendered themselves to the fact that they will never see their loved ones again.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to receive a phone call like that from someone, but just watching it tore me apart.

The fact that a viewer can become so attached to the characters on screen without learning any backstory is a testament to the storytelling power of not only the story, but of director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy).

The use of unmounted cameras and the underplayed soundtrack do a lot to make the film seem more than just a dramatic mock-up of an historical event and actually do a lot to pull the audience into the film.

The most frustrating parts of the film take place in the National Air Traffic Control Center and with the military. Sometimes you just want to reach through the screen, slap the controller and yell, “Go after United 93, damn it!”

Many people feel as though any movie made regarding the events of Sept. 11, 2001 could only be made as a kind of propagandist film. The biggest asset of this film is that it does not try to demonize or make heroes of the characters. The hijackers of the plane are portrayed as average people doing something they feel is necessary.

The film is also free of political commentary. Whatever your political leanings may be, you will more than likely all be affected in the same way as you watch the events unfold.

This film is quite possibly the most moving film of the year and accomplishes it without taking political sides. It is simply a very tragic telling of the human experience.(Source)