a disappointing remake of a list of bad remakes

Rating: 5/10 (24 April 2016)

I approached this movie with some trepidation but was willing to give it a chance. After all it was a modern reworking of a classic. I DID NOT expect to be slapping my forehead in horror at the pure Hollywood type schmaltzy ending. Also my "suspension of disbelief" was stretched to breaking many times
As soon as i saw the main title "WAR OF THE WORLDS" appear on screen, i was caught up instantly, that added with the fill-of- suspense- trailer, the directors career, and the famed novel, produced me a sensation not felt before by summer blockbusters. In a matter of seconds I pictured the epic battles taking place on earth between humans and the aliens, picturing the whole story to be developed. Imagined innovating alien designs, and all those details that make Spielberg such a great storyteller/ director.
But i was really disappointed. As soon as I saw Cruise's irresponsible character, telling his boss to not count on him for some job, as soon as minute 10 or so. Then the denigrating relations with his family. Cruise just felt like he was the wrong Actor for the role. The alien designs were nothing special and the FX were boring and obvious. I hated the alien ships shields, because they kind of took out all the probable action scenes that would have taken place.
Overall this film just feels messy, the story and action all over the place, the acting was done on sub par level, which is terrible for a film of such high standard of expectations directed by Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise with a massive budget.