One Of The Best Science Fiction Invasion Films To Date

Rating: 6/10 (22 July 2005)

The long awaited Spielberg blockbuster based on HG Wells' classic novel finally hit the big screen in the summer of 2005. The movie centres on the character of Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise). Ray is divorced and spends the weekend with his children whilst his wife and her new husband have a weekend away. Ray's son is reluctant to spend time with the father who has been less than interested in him whilst Rachel (Dakota Fanning) is more diplomatic and appears to be wise beyond her years (on and off screen on the basis of this performance). The movie is likely to draw many comparisons with "Signs" and there are some claustrophobic scenes (featuring Tim Robbins) that are reminiscent of this alien invasion movie. "Signs" was far more focused on how a family responded to a global invasion and how a father is able to regain his faith in God. War of the Worlds is a faster paced action movie that chronicles a family's desperate attempt to stay alive. From the outset of the invasion we are shown how the conflict is more akin to a real life conflict than a stylised science fiction battle. This makes the film much darker and realistic than one would expect (especially in comparison to movies like Independence Day) but as a result both shocks and excites the viewer. From this moment on, Spielberg in successful in maintaining a constant sense of tension with the viewer on the edge of his seat throughout the film. This is an impressive achievement given the two hour running time and is an illustration of Spielberg's creative skills. Visually the movie is excellent with above average special effects that hold back from being larger than life to add a sense of realism to the story. The performances are also excellent all round. Cruise is very good as a vulnerable but courageous father that battles to keep his family alive. Cruise's recent performances in War of the Worlds, Collateral and The Last Samurai show that he has stepped up his game and deserves his place in Hollywood's A list of movie stars. Dakota Fanning is excellent as his smart but hysterical daughter. There is a scene where Ray makes his kids peanut butter sandwiches unaware of his daughter's allergy to the substance. He sceptically asks her "since when" has she been allergic to peanut butter. Her dead pan "since birth" response is absolutely hilarious. The scene is also well timed by Spielberg as it follows adrenalin charged escape from the aliens. Both Ray's family and the audience are still on an adrenalin rush but attempting to return to normality, the contrasting humour is timed perfectly. Ray's son is the typical rebel teenager with an annoying desire to join the conflict but puts in a decent enough performance. There will be many criticisms of the film's ending which is somewhat abrupt and appears a little rushed but War of the Worlds is more about the journey than the destination. Whilst it could have been a tied up a bit more neatly this does not detract from the fact that this is an excellent disaster movie and one of the best science fiction invasion films to date.