Rip off

Rating: 3/10 (2 September 2007)

This got a rating of three only because the special effects were great. The film is rip off from "War of the Worlds" (1953). They aliens come, we try to greet them, they blow us up, we fight but our weapons are no match for theirs, we try to nuke them and still no dice, we are at a dismal moment. At the end of "War of the Worlds" *SPOILER*, a virus (or many along with bacteria) kills the aliens, as they have no immunity to our parasites. This movie doesn't rip that off directly, but instead, they parallel it with a "computer virus" instead of a biological virus. I'm sorry, this was a poor attempt at something "original" by stealing from another great. At least "War of the Worlds" (2005) called it that and remade a great.
This movie is action packed, with great CG (for 1996 standards) and some good flying scenes. Where it lacks is originality and the characters. Wil SMith is believable, but that is because he is playing his typical Wil smith roles. THe rest of the characters choke. Randy Quaid's character is a total joke, along with the character's kids. The worst still, is Jeff Goldblum's father. I get tired of him saying how much a schmuck he is and how much a schmuck is son is and how much a schmuck everyone is. I know his character is Jewish, but man, they play out the stereotypes at every angle. If I were Jewish, I would be upset with the gross stereotype the convey. Not all Jews call everyone a Schmuck 50 times over.
If you are looking for something to watch with action and you don't want to think at all, this is the movie. If you want something a little more intelligent, do yourself a favor and watch something by a director that is not Roland Emmerich.