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DVD War of the Worlds (Full Screen Edition)
Despite super effects, a huge budget, and the cinematic pedigree of alien-happy Steven Spielberg, this take on H.G. Wells's novel is basically a horror film packaged as a sci-fi thrill ride. Instead of a mad slasher, however, Spielberg (along with writers Josh Friedman & David Koepp) utilizes aliens hell-bent on quickly destroying humanity, and the terrifying results that prey upon adult fears, especially in the post-9/11 world. The realistic results could be a new genre, the grim popcorn thriller; often you feel like you're watching Schindler's List more than Spielberg's other thrill-machine movies (Jaws, Jurassic Park). The film centers on Ray Ferrier, a divorced father (Tom Cruise, oh so comfortable) who witnesses one giant craft destroy his New Jersey town and soon is on the road with his teen son (Justin Chatwin) and preteen daughter (Dakota Fanning) in tow, trying to keep ahead of the invasion. The film is, of course, impeccably designed and produced by Spielberg's usual crew of A-class talent. The aliens are genuinely scary, even when the film--like the novel--spends a good chunk of time in a basement. Readers of the book (or viewers of the deft 1953 adaptation) will note the variation of whom and how the aliens come to Earth, which poses some logistical problems. The film opens and closes with narration from the novel read by Morgan Freeman, but Spielberg could have adapted Orson Welles's words from the famous Halloween Eve 1938 radio broadcast: "We couldn't soap all your windows and steal all your garden gates by tomorrow night, so we did the best next thing: we annihilated the world." --Doug Thomas
Review(s): DVD War of the Worlds (Full Screen Edition)
Nay-sayers have too much time on their hands!
This is a great movie, one of the best of 2005. I went in the theater expecting to be entertained and was hit with a relentless assualt on all my senses. Disturbing, suspenseful, and visually spectactular all the way through. It's basically broken up into three acts, so that's what I will run down for you:
ACT 1: This is the developement act. It is not long (a good thing) but it is long enough to set up the characters. This isn't a Tarantino film, so the characters are not going to be extrememly complex. They are, however, much more interesting than you would expect in this sort of film.
ACT 2: By far, the strongest act in the film. This consists of the intitial alien attack and the family's mad dash through all the chaos. The storm at the begining is classic Steven, very suspenseful. There are bassically three big action scenes here: the first strike with one tripod (quick and bruttaly devestating), a bunch of tripods attacking a ferry (very chaotic, probably the best scene in the film), and a battle between men and aliens (you don't see much of it, but the visuals are amazing). Steven keeps the suspense up throughout this whole act. Sure there are great scenes, but it's the little stuff that make it so good. A train of fire, floating carcases, clothes falling from the sky, and a wall with pictures of the missing make this one of his darker films.
ACT 3: This is the "lets hide in the basement!" act. It is scary and claustrophobic. Tim Robbins gives a strange but entertaining performence as a crazy man. Aliens and probes invade the basement, making this the most subtly exciting act. There is no lack of tripods, though. Tom and Tim (haha) are constantly looking out the window watching the tripods suck the blood of their victims. The climax is a bit hollywoodish, but fun none the less. The ending is the major weakness of the film. I had no problem with the aliens fate, but the family stuff is just to danged happy. It can be forgiven, though becuase the rest of the movie was so much fun (in a dark disturbing kinda way).
All that being said, this is a fantasticly scary film that combines the best of what Steve S. has to offer. It certainly is not his best, but it is a very entertaining peice of film. Not to mention, in the genre of disaster flicks, this is the best by a long shot. It puts Independence Day to shame. Check this movie out, it's worth a purchase in my opinion.
Speilberg at his BEST!
War Of The Worlds, despite some bad reviews, is mind-blowing fun that kicks off right into the movie and doesn't stop till the end. My son really wanted to see this because he loves Sci-fi/alien type movies. So on opening day, we headed to see the movie. I wanted to see it too, and I wasn't dissapointed. The action is mind boggling, the suspence is powerful, and the whole movie is high-powered. Tom Cruise is great in this. Speilberg once again overloads his movie with stunning visuals and amazing story-telling. Even if your not much of a Sci-Fi fan, see it. I'll be getting the 2-Disk Limited Edition, as I always go for the gold. In this case, the one with all the features on it. Most of you probably will too. And about all these negative reviews, lay off. It's a great movie, you people needed to loosen up and enjoy the movie for what it is, an action alien invasion movie, not plotless, dumb, stupid ending movie. Because it's not.
I JUST DO NOT BELIEVE THIS!
Remember Steven Speilberg who brought us great films like JAWS, JURASSIC PARK, THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK, DUEL, THE INDIANA JONES TRILOGY, ET, THE SUGARLAND EXPRESS, AND SCHINDLER'S LIST. I think he is really losing his touch nowadays. He should really be concentrating on the upcoming Jurassic Park IV. This movie is a load of poo and a pile of crap just like Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. And I lost alot of respect for screenwiter David Koepp who I loved in the first two Jurassic Parks. The only thing good about this stupid movie is the great special effects. I hope he can redeem himself with Jurassic Park IV. Not only that, as I said in another of my reviews, Speilberg should release a director's cut of The Lost World: Jurassic Park (Check my review for The Lost World: Jurassic Park for details). I bet that would get Spielberg and TLW:JP alot more fans.
P.S. I think that The Lost World: Jurassic Park is Steven Speilberg's best film and he will have to release a director's cut of it eventually.
Related DVD's War of the Worlds (Full Screen Edition)
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The Star Wars Family Tree (click for larger image)
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Co-written by the team of David S.... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Christopher Nolan DVD Release Date: Released the 18 October 2005 This item is currently not available.
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