This is a truly exceptional case where there was an incredible story to tell and a filmmaker who knew exactly the right way to tell it. One of the most thoughtful, respectful and honorable films Hollywood has ever released, and one of the more quietly riveting/draining experiences you’re likely to have.
Greengrass made smart key decisions right at the outset. There are no recognizable actors. (Most air traffic controllers play themselves.) The camerawork is hand-held, documentary style. That may bother some as images are bumped, crowded and occasionally lose focus. Everything plays like a CNN report coming at you live.
Greengrass filmed the events like a play with the airplane and ground cast enacting their entire part while Camera Assistants would stand by to hand freshly loaded mags to the operators. The result is like reliving the events with the insight to be in all the key places. I now have a better understanding of how things unfolded, and a few questions as to where things sometimes broke down. (Most errors were just people doing their best in highly stressful conditions.)
While feeling totally spontaneous, Greengrass also shows precise skill as a filmmaker. He modulates the tension perfectly, building to crescendos like a master conductor. There are key small touches, like the human face placed on the terrorists, an amazing shot of the plane at take-off, and the low-key but anxious score by John Powell.
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