By Ryan Parsons | Images property of Universal Pictures.
United 93
One of the first statements I had said when we were told that Paul Greengrass was moving forward with United 93 (previously titled Flight 93), a 9/11 movie that takes a hard look at the peril of United Airlines Flight 93, was that the film is too soon.
Films that covered devastating events such as Munich and Schindler's List were great, but they were also created decades after the original events. In the case of United 93 we have only had about a half a decade, and this fact will either hurt or exaggerate the film's box office numbers.
United 93 Controversy- Trailer Pulled
I don't know the reaction that Universal Pictures had hoped for when they released the trailer for United 93 with Inside Man, but I am sure it wasn't this. According to Newsweek, the response to the trailer at Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theatre was less than positive with spectators shouting "too soon." And this was only in LA.
In New York, where the events of 9/11 still remain as an open wound, the reaction was even more negative. In response to multiple complaints of the trailer, various theatres had to pull the United 93 trailer entirely. Some moviegoers report people crying and a lot more of "too soon."
The response to the United 93 trailer brings forth one simple question-- is it too soon to have films depicting the events of 9/11? If moviegoers are upset about one film for 2006 what will they think when they hear of a second film, Oliver Stone's World Trade Center, that is set to hit theatres on August 9th?
Since there is bound to be some anger turned towards director Paul Greengrass, it is important to know that he took the time to secure the approval of each and every one of the victims families. According to reports, the details in United 93 are very accurate and go all the way down to what each passenger was wearing on the tragic flight.
Universal Pictures next question has to be whether the controversy behind the film will hurt or help box office numbers. Fortunately for them history is in their favor. A&E's cable movie Flight 93 was able to draw in 5.9 million viewers in January, the highest rated show in the channel's history.
United 93 Trailer Gets Negative Response
For the teaser, movie stills, full synopsis and movie info, go to the United 93 Movie Page.
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