A Disappointing Opening
One thing I can already see that I missed this weekend, both from my cursory catching up and your comments on the open thread – United 93 obviously stirred up much less enthusiasm from the general public than it did the movie critics. Despite stellar reviews, the movie took in less than half of my now-ridiculous-seeming prediction of $27.5 million on the opening weekend. Still, the movie will ultimately be a success – it had a pretty small production budget, and I suspect a lot of people might see it on DVD who would shy away from such a harrowing experience in the theater. I still plan to see it soon, and will post my review at that time…
It is somewhat of a disappointing opening weekend for the film. Hopefully more people will make the trip to the theater to see this important movie as word of mouth spreads about its value. While undoubtedly excrutiating as the known ending of the story draws closer, United 93 is very tasteful in its presentation and non-exploitive of the events of 9/11. If you believe that the lessons and heroes of 9/11 should never be forgotten, this film is a must-see.
I’m not a fan of most of Hollywood’s output, but I think they actually got this one right.
I don’t know why it’s a must-see. I know the story of that day by heart, down to the smallest details, and I have for the last four and a half years. I’m not saying that it’s too soon, or that it’s unnecessary. I don’t havea any real objections to the film. But I don’t see how not seeing a film about 9/11 means that it will be forgotten.
I was thinking the same thing, alot of people are for it in principle but will wait to DVD it. I was thinking, “I should see it but Christ, too intense for me.” It just seems like hard work and people don’t do to movies to work hard. So I think it will be a significant movie, it’ll have a long and influential grow time, it’s not the sort of film that can be rated on it’s opening weekend like an Ice Age or the latest thing with Natale Portman.