United 93 (R) êêê½: Do not let the controversy about whether it’s too soon for a theatrical release regarding the events of 9/11 stop you from seeing "United 93." Director Paul Greengrass ("Bourne Supremacy" and "Bloody Sunday") uses his considerable talents to put a new perspective on United Flight 93 on that fateful day. Unlike the excellent A&E Television film "Flight 93" on the same subject (which aired recently), this one does not focus on family melodrama. Rather, it provides insight into the institutions we put our trust in, such as the FAA, the military, corporate America and our politicians. Without passing judgment, it shows the behind the scenes action of what was going on immediately before and during the time that United 93 and three other planes were seeking their prominent targets. Only United 93 did not hit home.

It’s chilling to see how the only people that were not a few steps behind the terrorists were typical John Q Public citizens, some of whom were on United 93.

When the military was ready to put F-16s in the air, there were only four available for the entire East Coast. The first two in the air were unarmed. If an intercept had been attempted, they would have had to literally ram the plane.

Our preparedness for disasters is abysmal. This one was unexpected, as was Katrina, yet the outcome was not much different. Both were disasters that could have and should have been of a substantially lesser degree. Go see the film and you decide.