The fifth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks is a good time to remind ourselves again what this Long War against Islamic terrorism is about.  For those who didn't see "United 93," a brilliant dramatization of the events of that day, the newly-released DVD is a good place to start.  You also might want to supplement "United 93" with "On Native Soil," a documentary on the 9/11 Commission and its findings, but beware its flaws. 

"United 93"

For us, "United 93" is the closest we've come to reliving 9/11.  A dramatization, based on the findings of the 9/11 Commission, this movie conjures up all the raw emotions that we felt that day.  And, it reminds us vividly, if we need reminding, of who our enemies are and what they are capable of.  It is a lesson that we forget at our peril.  "United 93" also is a poignant reminder of the perils of wishful thinking. 

"United 93" is, above all, a powerful film—one of the most powerful we've seen in some time.  Director and writer Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Supremacy") has managed to be sensitive to the victims' families and faithful to the truth—at least as much of the truth as is known.  Much remains—and will forever remain—unknown about the events onboard the doomed planes, but otherwise, Greengrass has meticulously reconstructed the events of that fateful morning. 

"United 93" starts slowly as unsuspecting passengers arrive at airports along the Eastern seaboard for early flights and air traffic controllers prepare to handle the rush hour traffic. 

Soon enough, the day begins to go to hell, and the pacing quickly moves from surreally ordinary to just plain surreal.  There is initial confusion as planes are reported hijacked; then, controlled chaos as officials try to make sense of what's happening; and finally, stunned recognition as the planes begin to fly into their targets.

Onboard United 93, the last of the four planes hijacked, the passengers use their cell phones to learn of the fate of the other planes.  A handful of genuine heroes swallow their fear and begin planning to assault the cockpit.  Other passengers call their loved ones to say tragic goodbyes.  They, too, have looked into the abyss and somehow summoned the will to act with dignity.  

The end comes with a rush.  "Let's roll."  The final scene is horrific—no cliché seems adequate.  The movie ends abruptly—as life did onboard United 93.  This, we think is what evil looks like.  And, heroism. 

Greengrass wisely uses relatively unknown actors and even some non-actors including United Airlines pilot J.J. Johnson, United flight attendant Trish Gates, and Ben Sliney, national operations manager for the FAA.  All are excellent. 

We owe Greengrass a debt for making this film with grace and unflinching honesty.  Too many Americans seem to have forgotten who and why we are fighting.  George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld are not the enemy.  When they are gone, the enemy will still be there, hiding in the shadows, plotting our deaths.   

Five years on, "United 93" didn't come too soon as some have suggested.  Perhaps it came just in time.  If you see only one film this year, it should be this one. 

DVD extras include commentary by director Greengrass and a featurette on the United 93 families.  Military.com Rating: ****

"On Native Soil"

Producer and director Linda Ellman tells the story of 9/11 and the Commission appointed to investigate it largely through the perspective of the survivors and the families of those who died in the attacks.  In doing so, she shifts among news footage of the attacks, testimony before the 9/11 Commission, and interviews with survivors and family members.  As a result, the documentary moves along in fits and starts—alternately compelling and prosaic. 

Since the Commission was mostly interested in assessing responsibility for the attacks, "On Native Soil" is less a narrative of the events of 9/11 than a study of the institutional breakdowns that made it possible.  And, the attack exposed lots of bureaucratic bungling: visas issued to terrorists despite incomplete applications, the scandalous laxity of airport security, the unbelievable ineptness of the FAA, and the unwillingness and/or inability of government agencies to cooperate. 

This is old news by now, and what we were struck by was the director's apparent condescension toward viewers and her lack of objectivity.  Who—now or then—is surprised to learn of bureaucratic inefficiency and blundering?  The discovery seems to have come as a surprise to Ellman.  Perhaps that shock is why she asks no questions about the backgrounds and motivations of the members of the 9/11 Commission.  All are treated as selfless public servants who harbor no agendas or ulterior motives.  Anybody who knows anything about government commissions knows that's not true.  And, finally, she treats the findings and recommendations of the Commission as Holy writ and beyond debate or question. 

As for the question of objectivity, the director is careful to criticize both the Clinton and Bush Administrations for their roles in the attack.  But, if you look closer—and you don't have to look that close—you'll quickly note that this thing lists to the left.  

Just check out the character assassination of Bush's National Security Adviser Condi Rice.  While other actors in this drama are given a pass by the director—e.g., the grandstanding Richard Clarke, Clinton apologist Jaime Gorelick, former Senator Bob Kerry—Ellman serves up sound bites painting Rice as a fool at best and a liar at worst.  Or, perhaps, a lying fool. 

Ellman also leaves the impression that the Bush Administration opposed the formation of a 9/11 Commission to avoid embarrassment.  The Administration's specific objections, however, are never mentioned.  Why not cite them and let the viewer decide their merit?  We were especially bothered by Ellman's apparent blanket endorsement of the Commission's findings and recommendations.  We agree with many of the Commission's recommendations, but it was far from infallible.  Where's the healthy skepticism?  Where's the balance?  At some point, we began to wonder if Ellman was a fool or just naïve.  Or, perhaps, a naïve fool.

Don't get us wrong.  This isn't a polemic along the lines of the blatantly dishonest "Fahrenheit 9/11."  And, it has its moments.  The interviews with survivors Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath and the testimony of Port Authority policeman David Lim who survived the collapse of Tower 1 are powerful in their grace and humility.  What this needed is more such stories. 

DVD extras include Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman on the formation of the Commission, additional material on the survivors, a photo gallery, and the complete 9/ll Commission Report.  Military.com Rating: **½   

Military.com's Movie Rating Scale

* As entertaining as an Article 15 (Best to avoid if possible)
** A weekend pass (O.K., but you might not remember it Monday morning)
*** On a par with a promotion (Don't pass it up)
**** DEROS (It doesn't get much better than this)