United 93

Directed by Paul Greengrass, United 93 details the happenings aboard the title aircraft on the morning of September 11, 2001 and also follows several figures on the ground as they attempt to make sense of the day’s horrific events. Filmmaker Greengrass, working from his own screenplay, delivers a mostly spellbinding drama that establishes a tense, ominous atmosphere right from the get-go, and it’s clear, certainly, that the movie benefits substantially from Greengrass’ irresistible documentary-like approach to the real-life material – with this ensuring that even the scenes set at various air-traffic control centers possess a gripping and engrossing feel. (Greengrass has infused such moments with the tone of a matter-of-fact procedural, which undoubtedly (and effectively) heightens the impact of these interludes and set-pieces.) And although the picture admittedly does suffer from a very small handful of lulls, United 93 ultimately progresses into an enthralling third act that’s capped off with an abrupt, emotionally-devastating finale – with the final result a top-tier endeavor that’s difficult to watch, for sure, but also incredibly rewarding.

**** out of ****