An Invasion Worth Looking Forward To

Rating: 8/10 (3 July 2005)

Okay. So this movie may have a few unexplained points and figures, but they're simply more unnerving ends to the already 'unmoved from the edge of your seat from start to finish' plot. Granted, the idea of the suction cup feet were a bit odd, but the tripods and their mechanical bodies and legs, not to mention the deathly blue rays, were a fascinating enclosure to the idea of an alien invasion. I resent Ebert's criticisms. He pushes the question of alien intelligence being that of an extraordinary great power. But how do we know if the aliens aren't as smart as we take them to be? Just because they didn't evolve with our world, doesn't mean they have double or triple the brain expansion as we humans do. So why do we always enforce the idea of hovering spacecraft, world-ending weapons and such? They could be as simple as us, with machines we haven't seemed to think of, at least for world destruction.
Granted, the ending was a bit sudden, but the idea was really fascinating in my point of view. Our world has gone through billions of deaths just to find one of our means of survival - immunity. And because of our adaptations, we have guaranteed our survival amongst such ideal situations.
Now, for the truthful action sequences, just-right special effects, and dramatic familial viewpoints, Spielberg has brought up an amazing experience for us to bite our nails over, forget the world around us, and find ourselves remaining on the edges of our seats while wishes for the family's good fortune. He adds the right touch of humor, and the perfect moments of special effects. Not too much, not too little. Yet just enough to get the point across, and didn't focus the movie on the great things we are capable of doing in this 21st century. It focuses on real life and a true family, which led us into our own lives and put us in the movie with the Ferriers as they fought, or rather ran, their way to live. It didn't follow a government in its troublesome journey of finding a way to stop the invasion and a heroic savior, but the idea of every man for himself in such tragedies.
The aliens who revealed themselves in the basement of a determined survivor seemed as if they were young, and human-minded. Playing with a bike, forced to jump back in reflex, and looking at pictures with what seemed interest, in a way describes my idea of alien simplicity. My brother, after we left the theater, was explaining how some of the moments in the movie reminded him of other movies. Sure, how could they not add in a few other ideas of worldly invasion? But it did seem a bit like Titanic, with the ferry, though it didn't bother me. I was too into the mind-wrenching drama. That's another thing. Even with the few goofs, odd moments, and criticized ideas, Spielberg continued grievously through the action, thrill, and drama, leaving no room for scowls or disappointed thoughts. It continued on, in, once again, realistic situations.
Spielberg knew just how to put in sorrowful moments, and the acting put such emphasis no one knew what to think during the film's length. Tom Cruise performed what was, in my opinion, one of his best performances, following off of my last view of him from 'The Last Samurai' (which I loved also). I really resent the people who offer rude criticism towards the movie, without seeing it, just because of Cruise's personal life. I don't take such things into account. I see the movie for what the movie is, and for whatever I like in the idea. The actors aren't actors to me; they're characters, characters who are on a screen or all around me, depending on how well-rounded the movie comes out to be. Dakota Fanning shows skills beyond her other movies, in my opinion. I enjoyed her shrieks, her desperate need for comfort. And while others scowl at it, who wouldn't need the comfort in such a situation? She also seems to hold her own being, not always playing off of Cruise's role. I enjoyed her much. And Tim Robbin's performance added the right touch as well.
Personally, I loved such scenes as the first appearance of the tripods, the lightning storm, the plane crash, the incredibly realistic mobbing of Ray and his family in the blue van, the ferry boat, the countryside invasion of fires and destroyed armies, the searching of the basement, Boston's destroyed tripods, and more. The bright eye coming from below the water in front of the ferry was predictable, but as I said, Spielberg put such drama, thrill, and suspense to it I completely forgot my comment once the tripod showed itself.
All in all, I loved it, and have seen it twice in a few days. It was worth the money, and it was worth the time on Spielberg and the cast and crew's part. I give it a 8 and a half. Fantastic job to all the cast and crew! But ignore others' comments. See it for yourself and decide on your own terms whether it is a good movie or not. Have fun!