War of the Worlds (2005) (Widescreen)

 

 

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A lot of people who wrote reviews say it's all action and no story. But if aliens invaded Earth, you had a claustophobic child, everyone around you is being killed, and people are killing each other for a truck, I don't think there'd be much of a story to tell except about the people running and fighting for survival. That's the type of thing Spielberg wanted to put into perspective. (I.E. If you were in the middle of WW2, you think there would be much of a story except kill the other guys and don't get youself killed?)

This is a fun film and should be taken by the perspective that if aliens seriously did invade Earth, there would be a ton more action than story.

* * * * Four stars

I confess that I am a sucker for sci-fi flicks, and this adaptation of H. G. Wells' classic novel, which was first published in 1898 and often touted as the world's first published work of science fiction, is no exception. I simply loved this film and was riveted to the screen the entire time. Updated to reflect the world of today, the film does the book justice, maintaining the core of the story and keeping many of its moral imperatives at the forefront. Steven Spielberg definitely pulls out all the stops, rendering a first class, alien invasion film.

When the film begins, the world is just as we know it. Our intrepid working class everyman, Ray Farrier (Tom Cruise), is a divorced, blue collar worker and an irresponsible father of two, who is estranged from his children, precocious pre-teen daughter, Rachel (Dakota Fanning), and rebellious teenage son, Robbie (Justin Chatwin). When his ex-wife (Miranda Otto) leaves their reluctant children with him for the weekend, while she and her current husband go and do some visiting in Boston, they all think that it is just another weekend. Little do they know that the world, as they know it, is about to change.

What at first appears to be an unusual atmospheric weather condition, a series of electrical storms that seem to be peppering the world, soon reveals itself for what it really is, and weather has nothing to do with it. All electricity is suddenly sapped, cell phones stop working, cars drop dead in their tracks, and another unwanted weekend at Dad's place turns out to be something else altogether, as the world is plunged into total chaos. Ray is forced to think not only of himself but also of his children, for once, as they try to make sense of their new, incomprehensible reality and struggle to stay alive. The alien invasion is seen through the eyes of the Farriers as they flee, and the viewer knows only what they know of the events into which the world has suddenly been plunged. The film is grounded entirely in this context.

This is an exciting film with spectacular special effects. Spielberg has outdone himself. Giant alien tripods traipse across the landscape, destroying everything in their path with their incinerating death rays. The concept of mercy never even enters the picture when the aliens come marching along, and the loud trumpeting sound that they make, heralding their presence, will chill the blood of even the most equanimous viewer. Resistance initially appears to be futile, as mankind's conventional warfare just does not do the trick when confronted with the superior technological capabilities of the aliens. The aliens' plans for the human race, which the alien invaders are hell bent on annihilating, are ghastly, and Ray Farrier is forced to grow up in a hurry and keep his head, while all around him others are losing theirs. During the ongoing maelstrom, the relationships between the three main protagonists undergo a change for the better, while the world undergoes a change for the worse.

Tom Cruise, notwithstanding all his negative personal publicity of late, gives a marvelous performance, infusing his character with just the right amount of initial cock-of-the-walk insouciance. His swagger, however, quickly dissipates when faced with the surreality of his new circumstances. As disaster strikes, his character rises to the occasion, struggling to keep himself and his children alive amidst the chaos and carnage, while trying to make sense of the changing circumstances around them. It begins to dawn upon him how much his children mean to him, just when he is on the very verge of losing them. Cast out into a world that he no longer recognizes and given a clear purpose by his children, Ray is a man who is forced to do the unthinkable to ensure their survival. Tom makes the transition of the character from irresponsible to caring totally believable. Make no mistake, however, Ray is no superhero, and Tom Cruise maintains the everyman frailty of his character throughout the entire film.

Dakota Fanning, as always, gives an excellent performance, infusing the role of the tormented Rachel with the right amount of angst and shock, but make no mistake, this is Tom Cruise's film all the way, and she fails to steal the show. Justin Chadwick also rises to the occasion as Bobbie, the irritating teenage son who wants to do things his way. Tim Robbins gives a compelling performance as Ogilvy, an ambulance driver in a pre-invasion world, who has seen his entire family annihilated by the alien invaders. Ogilvy is clearly a man on the edge of reason, who wants to destroy the aliens and get the better of them. As he is armed only with a shotgun and a shovel, however, his prospects do not look good. When he gives sanctuary in the basement of his home to a fleeing Ray and Rachel Farrier, he expects Ray to become a sort of resistance fighter to the death with him. Ray, however, sees things differently, as he still has something to live for: his children and their survival. This brings about an eventual conflict between the two with an unsettling and primal resolution.

The film begins and ends with a voice over narration masterfully done by Morgan Freeman, whose mellifluous voice lends just the right note to the film. Coupled with a great story, really spectacular special effects, fine performances, and deft direction by Steven Spielberg, this film, despite its flawed final scene, has all the makings of a great sci-fi flick. It is a film worthy of being in one's personal collection. Bravo!

H.G. Wells created the aliens-attack formula over a century ago, in the classic "War of the Worlds," and Orson Welles' radio drama caused mass panic. So even if Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" were a good movie, it would have a lot to live up to.

And between the idiotic aliens, lackluster script and the screeching children, it's not a good movie. It's another vehicle for Tom "Last Samurai" Cruise to act like a hero in. Yes, indeed -- between impregnating grinning starlets, enraging half the AMA, and leaping on Oprah's couch, Tom Cruise actually made a movie... a bad one.

The story: Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is not having a good week: His ex-wife (Miranda Otto) has just left the kids with him for the next few days, and the kids hate him. To make matters worse, aliens invade, and Ray and his kids must escape their home and find sanctuary with his ex-in-laws, who live in a safe upper-class suburb. (WHY is it safe? We're never told)

Easier said than done. Alien tripods are savaging the city -- some of them rising out of the earth -- and the populace is (understandably) panicking. Ray and his children struggle to escape, only to have his son get lost in the muddle.

That's pretty much the plot -- and it isn't much. The main bulk of the movie is Cruise and kids hiding from the tripods, running, screaming, hiding, running, and repeating. While Spielberg tries to throw a few loops in the story -- the son going missing, for example -- we don't doubt that everything will turn out okay at the end. For Ray and his family.

Ah yes, Spielberg -- the guy who brought us "E.T.," "Jurassic Park" and "Indiana Jones" makes a misstep in "War of the Worlds." This movie is simply too flimsy for him to salvage. He does manage some truly stunning moments with the tripods, which are excellent displays of CGI. And if they had made up the movie, it would have rocked.

But it isn't. The script is plagued with a hair-raising lack of logic. Very little about this movie actually makes any sense. If the aliens have been planning this for millennia, why did they wait to invade? Why not check what would be dangerous do them? Why didn't anyone detect the buried tripods before? And most important: is it because of Cruise that the movie has a nasty smack of Scientology? (Check references: Xenu, ancient invasions, alien souls, and all the rest of it)

And finally, the acting isn't up to par either. Cruise does his usual bland action-hero shtick, while Justin Chatwin sneers and Dakota Fanning screeches. They do this for the remainder of the film. Tim Robbins and a visibly pregnant Otto do good jobs, but they are on too briefly for their performances to register.

In a movie with no logic and no good acting, the tripods are what are really striking. And yes, they are creepy, scary and weird-looking. By the end of the movie, you may be cheering for them instead.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Love this movie
Bought the DVD because I love this movie. Still chilling after watching it a few times. If you love sci-fi, you'll love this movie. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Jacqueline M. Mcmahon

4.0 out of 5 stars War of the Worlds
I had to repurchase the DVD as my origional copy was damaged by a friend. It is the one most recently made and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the movie. Read more

Published on Aug 19 2009 by F. P. Jordt

1.0 out of 5 stars Garbage
The latest adaptation of H.G. Wells' 1898 novel remains faithful to the original story -- opening with the familiar explanation about man's complacency (in a voice-over by Morgan... Read more

Published on Dec 12 2008 by Greg Curtis

4.0 out of 5 stars focuses more on the human element
when i first saw this film in the theatres,i was not too impressed.the
movie didn't have much of an impact. Read more

Published on Aug 21 2007 by falcon

1.0 out of 5 stars War of Crap
The only reason(s) I got this was because it was supposedly a summer blockbuster (though I really have no idea why), and because I thought Tom Cruise, who was superb in "Mission... Read more

Published on Sep 27 2006 by krahenkumpel

2.0 out of 5 stars So Frustrating
I never learn.

I go to the store, get the latest Hollywood "blockbuster" and then tell myself that this time it will be different. Read more

Published on Aug 10 2006 by SRM

4.0 out of 5 stars A good movie 3.5 STARS
A lot of bad things said about this movie. I liked it though. Speilberg is a good director but not the best. Read more

Published on April 3 2006 by scott

2.0 out of 5 stars It's just names that are selling...
It's actually frustrating to see a work of art being produced over and over zealously for monetary gain. Read more

Published on Mar 29 2006 by alper bac

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't get tricked by names...
It's actually frustrating to see a work of art being produced over and over zealously for monetary gain. Read more

Published on Mar 28 2006 by alper bac

2.0 out of 5 stars A flop
Bad acting, Tom Cruise is especially bad and amateurish, impossible to believe in his character.
Very bad script.
Uneven special effect quality. Read more

Published on Mar 15 2006

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