A mind-blowing yet chilling experience

Rating: 10/10 (3 July 2005)

Quite possibly the best film i have seen in a long time. Possibly Spielbergs best so far. Choosing to focus on the small family figures is far more emotional and personal that focusing on the "players" so to speak i.e. the president and hero's". The first film since "vertigo" in which the protagonist spends the entire film running from the danger. Cruise plays a part in this unlike hes previous roles. He is in fact an complete B*****d, a bad father and a natural coward, but the movies portrayal of his change in character to protect his children is far better than watching even the special effects which wow for all the right reasons - they loom in the background but are never the focus of the cameras attention. The brilliant use of sound (this is one that NEEDS to be seen in the cinema) is chilling at its worst. It gives the film the constantly oppressive feel it has.
however i was surprised to see the film with such a low rating. 15 would have been far more appropriate. I'm not suggesting 12 year olds are too young to see it, but bringing in younger children would definitely be disturbing for them. i left the cinema at midnight mildly disturbed by some of the material the film brought up (read genocide, blatant murder for the need to survive, paedophilia and others which would be spoilers.
This is definitely not a reason to miss out though. A brilliant film, the years must see so far as well as batman begins