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WAR OF THE WORLDS: A Tragedy on Film?

Here again, a science fiction classic has been resurrected to save the movie industry’s butt. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter not withstanding, many of the recent clusters of science fiction movies that began life as books have sorely tested my patience.

Steven Spielberg began his movie starring one of my favorite actors—and no it’s not Tom Cruise…Dakota Fanning. Gifted and very smart, Dakota reminded me of Drew Barrymore’s character in E.T. Well, this movie IS about aliens…and first contact.

And for some parts of the story, it was warm and fuzzy—like E.T. NOT! People were dying left and right and as soon as I got attached to a character, BOOM, he’s gone! This is one film where the special effects did NOT override the story. The story unfolded in good timing and I personally enjoyed watching it...Cruise’s character’s struggles as a part-time dad, his children’s frustration with him and his absolute loneliness.

Yes, I bought the whole thing, hook, line and sinker.

And boy did I sink. Towards the end of the film, which deviates from H.G. Wells, I was immediately outraged. I won’t spoil it for you here, but I had so many questions, such as: What? How? Come on! (Yes I am aware that last one is not a question, but you get my drift).

Overall, it’s a decent film, not as good as Minority Report, but hey, lightening doesn’t always strike twice…

War of the Worlds possibly has the most hype of the 2005 summer blockbusters. What an utter shame.

This movie is dripping with cheese almost the entire flick with its unbelievable story and terrible cast. The special effects (in this humble writers opinion) were subpar as well. With the amount of money spent on advertising, you would just hope that there would be decent content. I guess someone needs to tell Mr. Spielberg that he can't always have a winner.

The storyline is cliche. Aliens attack the planet and we are defenseless as they make there rounds from city to city. Does this movie sound like a certain film made in 1996 starring Will Smith and Bill Pullman? I thought so. The story diverts from the usual formula by telling it from a family's perspective, as opposed to a world's. That is the one bright spot from this slop. It made you really feel for the people.

Tom Cruise should stick to his guns, because he has shown that he cannot handle a role that strays away from typical action to a role requiring depth and skill. He is supposed to be a a somewhat uncaring father but can't pull it off. Dakota Fanning is yet again thrown into a role that requires her to have a personality disorder. She has panic attacks in this movie. Obviously, they had to try and put in a storyline to help Cruise deal with his part.

Finally, the special effect were terrible. The aliens looked like Independence Day clones, and the spacecraft were less frightening and more laughable. So much unintentional laughter was brought by this movie.

In conclusion, if you want me to take a movie seriously, don't make me laugh so hard when people die.