United (2011)

Why so much hype?

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

It is possible to make an entertaining and reasonably accurate football docu-drama. Take The Damned United as an example. It needs a lively script, good characterisation and some top actors.The problem with United is that the main characters themselves are not particularly memorable. Bobby Charlton, National Treasure though he is, is a bit boring,. Director James Strong has tried to liven up dour Scot Matt Busby by giving him an air of menace, when in real life he was a much gentler kinder man. Deputy Manager Jimmy Murphy is not so well known and so David Tennant is free to stamp his own character on him and in so doing does give the best performance of the film.The story itself is so well known, any attempt at suspense would fail. A group of players are emerging but cut down in their prime by an air crash. The surviving members must somehow rebuild from what remains.Overall although beautifully photographed, United is just too slow and drawn out to be a classic of its genre.

I have watched football (here we call it soccer) and know the passion other countries have for the sport. I know how people bond as well as become bitter enemies over teams. So this movie had to be made very carefully to show respect for a horrible tragedy that befell upon Manchester United that fateful night. I think, in my opinion, that it did just that. it was well made and well performed. Showing the proper emotion and heartbreak of the time. Not to mention the will and strong spirit of the fans, team and support staff. Unfortunately it takes a tragedy to bring people together it seems. This movie is right up there with the other sport greats for an inspirational, motivational, and uplifting movie. Very well done.

United is a docu-drama about the infamous 1958 Munich air disaster which claimed the lives of many of the Busby Babes and how the Manchester United team marched on from that dark day and rebuilt.The focus is less on Matt Busby played by Dougray Scott in a stoic manner because he is sidelined after the crash as Busby was seriously injured and hospitalised for some time.The focus is on David Tennant as Jimmy Murphy who has to cope with the aftermath, get a side together some from the lower leagues and get them to play. There is also the issue of some of the survivors being emotionally damaged from the incident such as Bobby Charlton who feels unable to play. Then there are the injuries to Duncan Edwards widely regarded as one of the best young players of his generation who survived the crash but later died.As someone who knew little but the basics of this disaster I found the film informative and emotional. I would acknowledge the film had to condense the story which means some of the characters are sidelined or ignored but it is an affirming story of overcoming the odds that should get even non soccer fans involved.

Just finished watching it. Let me admit, I'm a huge United fan. That might have biased my approach to this 90 minute gem, but nevertheless I'll try and keep it as neutral as I can possibly be. Its touching, and really well made. Even a non-United fan will second my opinion of this movie. Been a long time any movie could get me this emotional. The acting and the music to go with all the different stages of it, pure brilliance. Won't want to ruin a perfect 90 minutes for ya, so won't get into the details. To keep it simple, for a football fan, its a must watch, even if thats the last thing you ever do. For a United fan, this will be the first of the many times you're gonna watch it. Masterpiece.