Spielberg Doesn't need Cruise for this action packed 'War'

Rating: 7/10 (5 July 2005)

'War of the Worlds is a very impressive remake of the very impressive original. The 1953 classic starring Gene Barry is equally as spectacular when placed in the perspective of its own era. The 2005 version stars superstar Tom Cruise as everyman Ray Ferrier. A divorced father of two who is hosting his teenage son ( Justin Chatman ) and his ten year old daughter ( Preteen flavor of the month Dakota Fanning )for the weekend. While their mother ( Ferrier's ex ) is vacationing at her parents house with their wealthy stepfather. Cruise's teenage son is not too happy with this arrangement or with his dad for that matter. And there are various references to Cruise's irresponsibility and selfishness and right away you know that Cruise will end being a hero based on the criteria of this formula. Well it isn't long before the weather anomalies associated with these types of disaster films line the sky. And the Ferrier household turns from fighting each other to staring in awe at the late Autumn sky which is full of black cloudy vortexes. You know the rest. The invaders take the city by storm. And here is where we begin to see Spielberg's spectacular touch. These effects are nothing short of breathtaking. As the hidden aliens ride gigantic tripods, which are sort of reminiscent of the 'Imperial Walker's' in George Lucas's ' The Empire Strikes Back'. Only much more frightening and foreboding when placed in a real scenario like New York. Actually the effects themselves are the star of this film. Cruise might be too fine of an actor for something with this much action. Just check out some of his sublime performances like those Oscar nominated rolls in 'Magnolia' or 'Born on the Fourth of July' if you need a reference point. Someone like Gene Barry, who has a cameo as the Grandfather in this adaptation. was more than capable of doing the work without distracting us from the film's excellent special effects. That's not to say that Cruise doesn't have some scenes which require difficult acting. One of the best scenes of the film involves a mob attempting to steal the van which the Ferrier family commandeered from their local garage after all things electrical are blacked out by the aliens. Cruise handles the panic, fear and rage like the seasoned veteran he has become. Even though he could be accused of overacting at times, the whole premise is over the top. Eventually the family makes it to the cellar of a burned out farm, where the encounter the reclusive surviver of a wiped out family, portrayed in an extended cameo by Tim Robbins. Here Spielberg and Co continue to dazzle us with fantastic other world visions. And when a snaking eye comes into the cellar searching for survivors of the carnage above, we are reminded of the suspenseful kitchen raptor scene in 'Jurassiac Park'. Genarally the film is pretty dark. From the insidious intent of the raiders to the execution of their evil plan, some parts may be too frightening for smaller children. Over the years Spielberg has proved to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest film makers of any era. One of his specialties is the Summer blockbuster and he executes that genre to perfection once again here. Although even the mighty Spielberg isn't immuned to the occasional clunker, you will find no such worries here. It's a good film to see on a Summer Saturday night. It's a good film period. 7 out of a possible 10 T.H.