Flight 93, Saving Private Ryan and Pearl Harbor

Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor, and other historically based films have entertained, and educated us in one way or another. These powerful films not only accurately depict previous struggles, but help us to remember and appreciate the tremendous sacrifices made in order for others to be safe. Producing the films long after the actual events took place allowed viewers to remember, or experience the movie without bringing back recent pains. These classics portrait epic battles and events, too sensitive to view shortly after the actual event took place. This lack of time between the actual event and the making of the film dramatically alters the movies overall value. That being said, I believe the film Flight 93 was rushed into production, and never should have been made.

The recently released film Flight 93 retells the tragic events that occurred onboard the final and fourth plane hijacked during the September 11th attacks. Terrorist; hijacked the plane headed to Pittsburgh with plans to rash it into an important building in Washington DC. Flight 93 is a film that shows how everyday people came together to save the lives of others. After being taken over, the passengers fought back and were successful in regaining control of the plane. Unfortunately had been executed, making it impossible to safely land the aircraft. Flight 93 tragically crashed into a field killing every passenger on board. To release a film reliving this horrific event only five years after is outrageous and disrespectful.

Occasionally movies are released shortly after the original even took place, such as Black Hawk Down. However, the movie was made ten years after the conflict in Somalia. Another important factor to consider is the type of story being told. It's a lot easier to watch a military struggle than to watch terrorists attack civilians with the end result being fresh in our memories. While all three movies tell a emotional story, they are all conflicts the United States was intentionally involved in. Flight 93 was a completely unexpected cowardly attack.

Flight 93 was made extremely early and does nothing besides irritate not completely healed wounds. Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Gazette sums it up best "Flight 93 is a harrowing tremendously sad thriller that's utterly unnecessary." Before making a movie to honor these brave people who protected others, it's necessary to first take time to remember, not reenact